We at GBTS wanted to spread awareness for the National Safety Stand Down this week and help employers in construction discuss safety with their employees.
What is a Safety Stand-Down?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website (osha.gov), a Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event where employers can talk directly to employees about safety concerns, specifically highlighting fall prevention.
Every workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and strengthen the importance of fall prevention. Employers of companies that are not exposed to fall hazards can also use this opportunity to talk to employees about the other workplace hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and objectives. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about falls and other workplace hazards they see.
Who Can Participate?
Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down, including you. Previous participants included commercial and residential construction companies, sub- and independent contractors, highway construction companies, and general industry employers.
We’ve also partnered with several companies to host Stand-Downs this year.
Follow our socials to see who’s joined us in an effort for safety awareness!
Why Spread Awareness?
Fall fatalities are one of the highest forms of construction incidents recorded in history for over a decade. Fatalities caused by elevation falls continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees.
This accounts for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. And for every fatality, there are roughly 600 near misses and ‘almost’ accidents.
All to say, many of these deaths were preventable. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on Fall Hazards and strengthening the importance of Fall Prevention.
How You Can Help
Learn more and see how you can participate in spreading awareness here: https://www.osha.gov/stop-falls-stand-down
