The 6th annual National Fall Prevention Safety Stand-Down will be held May 6-10 this year, sponsored by OSHA and other occupational safety organizations.
The week-long event will focus attention on preventing falls in construction, the leading cause of fatalities in the industry.
The national stand-down encourages employers and workers to pause voluntarily during the workday for safety demonstrations, training in hazard recognition and fall prevention, and talks about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations.
“Falls can be prevented when employers train and educate workers about these hazards properly and provide appropriate protection,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “This should be a priority during the first week of May and must be a priority every day.”
OSHA anticipates thousands of work sites and millions of workers to observe the stand down worldwide in 2019. Resources include:
- A series of fall safety videos that demonstrate how to prevent fall hazards from floor openings, skylights, fixed scaffolds, bridge decking, reroofing, and leading edge work.
- OSHA’s Fall Prevention Training Guide that provides a lesson plan for employers, including several Toolbox Talks.
- Fact sheets on ladders and scaffolding that describe the safe use of these types of equipment while performing construction activities.
- A brief video, 5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls, encourages employers to develop a fall prevention plan, and to provide workers with fall protection and training.
Employers are encouraged to provide feedback after their events, and to obtain a personalized certificate of participation.
For assistance in conducting your own stand-down for safety event, contact our offices at Diversified Safety Services.
