Starting today, a record number of companies and workers around the country are expected to join the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the next two weeks in the second annual National Fall Safety Stand-Down to focus on preventing catastrophic deaths and injuries from occurring because of falls and accidents while working at elevated heights.
“Last year’s Stand-Down was a big success. More than 5,000 employers talked about fall protection with more than a million workers. It was a tremendous commitment to safety on the part of businesses and workers alike. I am confident that we can do even better this year,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez.
“The construction industry is so important to our economy. We all depend on it every day. It drives growth and prosperity. It generates good, middle-class jobs that can support a family. But we have to make sure those jobs are as safe as they can possibly be. That’s why fall prevention and this Stand-Down are so important.”
Fall protection is the most frequently cited OSHA violation, proving the size of this problem.
During the two-week Stand-Down, employers and workers will voluntarily stop work to focus on these hazards and preventing them. Industry and business leaders, including universities, labor organizations, and community and faith-based groups, have scheduled Stand-Downs in all 50 states. In addition, the U.S. Air Force will be hosting fall Stand-Downs at bases worldwide and a major event will be co-hosted at the United States Capitol Dome with Turner Construction.
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