On June 2nd through the 6th OSHA encourages a “stand-down” for fall prevention to raise awareness among employers and workers about the hazards associated with falls while on the job. It should come as no surprise the national pledge is directed toward the construction industry, where deaths resulting from falls are high. According to Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health “falls account for more than a third of all deaths in the construction industry”. The major theme behind fall prevention safety is that it is less expensive to prevent falls than it is to deal with the consequences of them.
During the stand-down period OSHA encourages employers and workers to take time in the day to talk about fall prevention and engage in dialogue about topics like ladder, scaffolding and roof work safety. Back in 2012, OSHA partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to develop the fall prevention campaign. Click here to access educational materials available from OSHA and its partners. The campaign has been successful each year and helps bring this important subject to the forefront with the three simple steps for preventing falls: PLAN.PROVIDE.TRAIN.
Planning ahead to get jobs done safely begins by deciding how jobs are to be accomplished, what tasks are involved and what safety equipment is needed for each task that must be completed. Estimating job costs should include accounting for safety equipment and related items.
Providing the right safety equipment for the job is critical. Workers who are six (6) feet or more above lower levels are at risk of serious injury or death if they should fall. Fall protection should be provided and employees should also be trained on its use. But don’t forget about selecting the right ladders, scaffolds and safety gear depending on the job to be performed.
Training workers on how to use equipment safely is paramount. Workers need to understand proper equipment set-up and safe use procedures to ensure complete safety. There is also the aspect of training on hazard identification with regard to each situation and available safety equipment.
Compliance Poster Company has a full line of safety products that reinforce training workers should receive on topics like the following:
- Fall Protection Safety program
- Aerial Lift Safety poster
- Aerial Devices Safety program
- Excavation and Trenching Safety poster
Take initiative and conduct a stand-down at your job-site during the June dates. Employers will be able to provide feedback and download certificates of participation on their experience June 2 to July 15, 2014 following their stand-down, click here for more info.