As you may know, fatalities caused by falls are a leading cause of death for construction workers.
In 2012, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), such falls accounted for 279 of the 806
construction-related deaths recorded that year.
OSHA is working to help curb those numbers, as these deaths were preventable. Their campaign, called the National Fall Prevention Stand Down,” will take place from May 4-15 this year.
OSHA is encouraging companies to take time out at some point during the
campaign to discuss safety. Topics might include equipment inspections,
rescue plans, or specific job hazards.
Last year, the Safety Stand Down was a huge success, with more than 1
million workers across the country taking part. This year, the goal is
to reach more than 3 million people. If that happens, OSHA adds on its
website, “we will have touched almost 4 out of 10 construction workers in the country.” Anyone who wants to prevent falls in the workplace can participate.
Based
on comments from some of the participants last year, the talks do have
an important impact on workers. Among the reviews that were posted:
“In April of 2013, we ourselves experienced a great loss to our
community, when we lost one of our own to a fall at our plant. This
being so close to the anniversary has great impact. Safety training,
cultural change and fall protection in all areas has reached a whole new
level.”
“Our training consisted of a blend of hands-on, storytelling
and safety information related to ladders and PFAs, in both English and
Spanish to communicate in an effective manner to all employees.
As the result of the Stand-Down training, our employees are better
trained to be aware of fall hazards in the construction industry.”
“We asked the crew to tell stories from their work experience about
falls they had witnessed. This was a sobering talk for many of the
younger workers who may not have witnessed the consequences of not tying
off.”
