Today marks the first day of OSHA’s 5th annual National Stand-Down. The week-long event aims to focus attention on the fact that “Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 370 of the 991 construction fatalities recorded in 2016 (BLS data).” The Safety Stand-Down prompts employers and employees to pause and use this week as an opportunity to discuss safety, in particular fall hazards and prevention. OSHA has partnered with groups such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), and the U.S. Air Force to help support this cause. Additionally, OSHA has published a poster and dedicated a section on its website to spread awareness and assist employers who would like to become involved. If you are interested in learning more, go to: https://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/index.html
