Again this year, the Concrete Foundations Association is participating as a promotion and awareness partner with OSHA to bring contractors resources to improve their communication and practices for keeping workers safe.

The 7^th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction next week (September 14-18, 2020), Doug Kalinowski, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs has provided a wealth of new tools and resources to assist workplaces in participating in the Stand-Down:

• Official Stand-Down Kickoff: Monday Sept 14^th 1 PM EST virtual webinar featuring:
  • Loren Sweatt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health
  • Scott Ketcham, Director, OSHA’s Directorate of Construction
  • John Howard, M.D., NIOSH Director
  • Scott Earnest, PhD, PE, CSP, NIOSH, Director, Office of Construction Safety and Health
  • Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director, CPWR- The Center for Construction Research and Training
  • Register here

• Drop-in banner: Download a banner [English or Spanish] designed for the Fall Stand-Down you can adapt for use in raising awareness about the Fall Stand-Down in newsletters, e-mail blasts, and even social media.

• Stand-Down Events: Stand-Down events and trainings that are free and open to the public are now being added to the Events section of the Stand-Down webpage. Find an event near you, or, if you plan to host a free event that is open to the public, submit the event details or contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinator.

• Resources:
  • New – [Videos] Stand Down Stories from the Outer Banks, North Carolina; Baker Roofing Company, Virginia Beach; and The Massachusetts Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program
  • New – 2019 Data Analysis: Factsheet and Full Report
  • New – Regional Hispanic Contractors Association Stand Down Virtual Training Opportunity English or Spanish Registration
  • New– NECA Stand Down Webinar: NECA will be presenting a Falls Stand-Down on Tuesday, September 15^th at 2pm EST. It appears to be on the heels of the NRCA 30 minute session that are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, (12:30 CST, 1:30 EST). Register here. (Flyer attached)
  • New– CPWR podcast “7^th Annual Safety Stand-Down Event” is now live. It can be streamed on various platforms (more info here). Embedded it in the One-Stop Stand-Down shop for easy access: https://stopconstructionfalls.com/one-stop-stand-down-shop/
    • Dr. G. Scott Earnest, NIOSH Associate Director for Construction, discusses the National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction and 7th annual Safety Stand-Down event. The Stand-Down is scheduled for September 14-18, 2020. This year may look different​ due to COVID-19, but CPWR, NIOSH, and OSHA have plenty of ideas for participating virtually or at a safe social distance.
  • New – Small Business Focus Postcard & Stand-Down site “Plan Provide Trade”Developed by the NORA Falls Work Group in conjunction with the postcard pilot project in both English and Spanish (Preventing Falls Post Cards attached) 
  • New – CPWR Generic Fall Protection Plan template available in English and Spanish
  • Order your 2020 Stand-Down hard-hat stickers and fall-related hazard alert here
  • 2020 Infographics  
  • Include Stand-Down hashtags! #StandDown4Safety #StopFalls #Construction
  • OSHA Fall Stand Down Poster here (Spanish)
  • Additional resources are available here

OSHA offers as a reminder, anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime. See Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful “Stand-Down” and Highlights from the Past Stand-Downs.