Stand down to prevent falls in construction to take place from May 8th to 12th, 2017

Every year more than 200 construction workers die and around 10,000 are seriously injured after falling on the job in the US. Falls are the number one cause of death in construction accidents. Most of them are preventable. Planning ahead, using proper equipment and being trained for the job are key to prevent falls from scaffolds, roofs or ladders.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Construction Sector Council are joining forces to organize the fourth National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.

This awareness campaign will take place all over the Country from May 8th to May 12th. Construction companies as well as contractors and their employees are invited to halt regular activities and organize a workshop to develop awareness on safety measures to prevent falls on construction sites. 

Last month the Journal of Safety Research published a study evaluating in detail the benefits of the previous campaigns. So far thousands of construction companies as well as governmental organizations have been participating in the previous campaigns. Very positive feedback came out of them. The 2014 and 2015 stand down reached over 3.5 million construction workers. Activities during the stand down included training, equipment inspection, handouts and toolbox talks.

Construction companies are invited to participate again in the 2017 Stand down. The online campaign already kicked off  with a webinar entitled “The National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction: Getting Ready for the 2017 Safety Stand-Down”. If you weren’t able to attend you can see it on demand here.

Additionally the Center for Construction Research and Training just released some excellent  info-graphics focusing on safety measures to prevent falls. They can be downloaded here. A mobile app is also available.

For more information or if you want to join the campaign go to www.stopconstructionfalls.com.