OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down for Fall Prevention
OSHA is promoting a national Safety Stand-Down during the week of June 2-6, 2014 in an effort to raise awareness among employers and workers in the construction industry about the hazards of falls. The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA), www.cfawalls.org, fully supports the program and strongly encourages all of its member companies to participate in this awareness event.
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers, accounting for over a third of all construction fatalities recorded in 2012. The majority of those deaths were preventable.
The Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary pause during the workday to allow dedicated time for employers and employees to focus on recognizing hazards and preventing falls. The time can include toolbox or tailgate talks, safety presentations, or discussions on specific topics like ladder safety, scaffolding safety and the proper use of aerial platforms. The meeting provides information to workers about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. The program is a part of OSHA’s fall prevention campaign to plan, provide and train – three simple steps to prevent falls. This should be included as part of a Stand-Down discussion.
The CFA has produced an extensive alternate fall protection training and implementation plan for its members. The content for this AFPP, compliant with section 1926.502 (k), can be obtained by contacting Jim Baty, Managing Director for the Concrete Foundations Association or by calling 866-CFA-WALL.
Falls are preventable incidents that you can address when you plan, provide and train. Take this opportunity and join many others in this National Safety Stand-Down. Don’t wait, sign up today, plan your event and improve safety on your work site.
Learn more about the Safety Stand-Down on OSHA web site, www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/index.html. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime during the week of June 2-6, 2014.
