OSHA will host second-annual Construction Fall
Safety Stand-Down, May 4-15, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Every day in this
country, construction workers fall. One wrong step and they're tumbling down a
steeply pitched roof, sliding or dropping off an unstable ladder, or left
hanging from a scaffold. The difference between an unexpected stumble and
tragedy is simple: fall protection.
Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction
industry, as hundreds of workers die each year and thousands more suffer
catastrophic, debilitating injuries. Yet, lack of proper fall protection
remains the most frequently cited violation
by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. To recognize this often fatal hazard, tens of thousands of
employers and more than a million workers across the country joined OSHA in
2014 for a weeklong Fall Safety Stand-Down, the largest occupational safety
event ever held. OSHA hopes to triple these numbers during this year's Fall
Safety Stand-Down from May 4-15, 2015.
"With the economy on the rebound and housing starts
on the rise, now is the time to for all of us to renew our commitment to
sending workers home safe every night," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E.
Perez. "Last year's Stand-Down showed us what employers and workers
sharing that commitment can accomplish. Responsible employers understand that
safety is not a luxury — it is a necessity."
Building on last year's widespread participation, OSHA
has made this year's Stand-Down, a two-week event. From May 4-15, employers and
workers will pause during their workday for topic talks, demonstrations and
training on how to use safety harnesses, guard rails and other means to protect
workers from falls. Underscoring the importance of this effort, industry and
business leaders, including universities, labor organizations, and community
and faith-based groups, have already begun scheduling 2015 stand-downs in all
50 states and around the world.
"Fatal falls and injuries impact workers in all
kinds of jobs across the country; it's a broad problem that takes a terrible
toll on workers and their families," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Given the tremendous
response we've received, it's clear that this is an important issue to a great
number of people across this nation. I know it is, to me and all my colleagues
here at the department, which is why we are so pleased to work towards
preventing these tragedies through innovative and collaborative efforts like the
Stand-Down."
The National Fall Safety Stand-Down is part of OSHA's fall prevention campaign, launched
three years ago with the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda and The Center for Construction Research and Training.
Additional partners for this year's event include: American Society for Safety
Engineers, National Safety Council, National Construction Safety Executives,
the United States Air Force, OSHA-approved state plans, state consultation
programs, and OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.
"No child should lose a parent, no wife should lose
a husband and no worker should lose their life in a preventable fall,"
said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard. "The Stand-Down serves as an
important opportunity for worksites to recognize the hazards that cause them,
train employers and workers how to avoid them so that these senseless tragedies
can be prevented once and for all."
OSHA and partners would like to encourage all workers and
employers that face fall hazards on the job to participate in this year's
Stand-Down. The newly launched National Safety
Stand-Down 2015 Web site provides details on: how to conduct a Stand-Down;
receive a certificate of participation; and access free education and training
resources, fact sheets and other outreach materials in English and Spanish. It
will also include a list of stand-down events free and open to the public, as
soon as they become available.
Under the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe
and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these
conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing
standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
Source: Department of
Labor / OSHA
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