Jason T.K. Anglin, Christman Constructors, SRMC board director The Voice Newsletter April 2022
Falls continue to be the leading cause for construction fatalities. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2020, 351 out of the 1,008 fatalities reported in construction were caused by falls. These deaths could have been avoided if the correct training, planning and resources had been in place and put into practice.
On May 2-6, 2022 OSHA is sponsoring a National Safety Stand Down Week to Prevent Falls in Construction. This is an annual event and that began in 2012 when OSHA and the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) partnered to help raise awareness of fall prevention on construction sites. This event, along with Safe and Sound Week (August 15-21) is an OSHA outreach to help workers and management raise awareness of construction safety.
During the week of May 2-6, OSHA and its state-run counterparts are asking us to work together to help raise awareness of fall hazards in the workplace and the need for training to address them. OSHA has dedicated a portion of their website to assist with stand-down activities. Go to https://www.osha.gov/stop-falls-stand-down/events. Some ways you can do this include:
- Conducting additional tool box talks using topics provided by OSHA
- Sponsoring an OSHA or state run program representative to speak at project sites
- Working with safety equipment vendors to speak about fall protection and demonstrate equipment
- Have company management speak at events to show commitment to worker safety
- Contact organizations such as the ASCC to help plan and promote your event
Each organization that conducts a stand-down can receive a Certificate of Participation from OSHA on the website shown above, by using the tab “Certificate of Participation” and providing information about the stand-down.
These types of events offer an unique opportunity for general contractors, specialty contractors, company ownership and workers to collaborate for the improvement of safety. By continuing to bring attention to the dangers of falls we each help prevent needless loss and tragedy.