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.
Suggestions to prepare a successful stand-down.