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OSHA National Safety Stand-Down

Each May, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA) encourages employers to take time to discuss fall hazard awareness. The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction emphasizes that even though falls are the leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 366 of the 971 construction fatalities recorded in 2017, all of the deaths are preventable. OSHA defines safety stand-down as a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety and according to the National Safety Council " Tens of thousands of employers nationwide and more than a million workers participate in the annual Fall Safety Stand-Down."

Here are a few stand-down ideas:

Toolbox talk

Take a break to talk about fall risks

Safety walk through

Showing a safety video

Taking time to do safety training

Attend a stand-down event in your area

Anyone can participate in a stand-down! Even if there is not fall risk, it can also be an opportunity to talk about general company safety policy and discuss other hazards the job may face.

Resources:

OSHA's resources for employers and employees.

Regional event calendar.

Suggestions to prepare a successful stand-down.

CPWR Stop Construction Falls Website.

NIOSH Infographics.

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