The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is holding its third annual National Safety Stand-Down to bring attention to fall hazards in construction. The stand-down, as part of which participating companies will organize breaks or toolbox talks to discuss fall prevention, is scheduled for May 2-6, 2016.
“Falls still kill far too many construction workers,” said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “While we regularly work with employers, industry groups and worker organizations on preventing falls and saving lives, the National Safety Stand-Down encourages all employers – from small businesses to large companies operating at many job sites – to be part of our effort to ensure every worker makes it to the end of their shift safely.”
In 2015, thousands of employers and more than 2.5 million workers participated in the stand-down. Amazingly, many of the groups that participated in the stand-down numbered fewer than 25 people. This year it is OSHA’s goal to reach 5 million workers.
You may join the effort by visiting the National Safety Stand-Down 2016 website, which 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. Check the website for these and, as soon as they become available, a list of stand-down events free and open to the public.