Falls from elevations at construction work sites can be deadly. Many accidents at construction sites can be prevented by alerting workers to the risks they face on-the-job.
The Annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is underway this week through Friday, May 6, 2016. The purpose of the Stand-Down is to raise awareness regarding the hazards faced by construction workers from falls at work sites across the country.
Falls from elevations continue to be the leading cause of fatalities for construction workers. In fact, 337 of the 874 construction fatalities in 2014 were attributed to falls of this nature. The OSHA sponsored event hopes to reduce the number of workplace accidents with the help of employers and employees in the industry.
Companies and their employees can participate in the Safety Stand-Down simply by taking the time to have a discussion regarding safety hazards and prevention measures or conducting activities such as safety equipement inspections and safety training drills.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) encourages employers participating in the Stand-Down to share their story on social media with the hashtag #StandDown4Safety.