National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction
May 6th - 10th Join the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction?
What is a Safety Stand-Down?
A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any Employer can hold a stand-down by bringing focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. Are you an employer who is not exposed to fall hazards? You can still use this opportunity to talk to employees about other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the companies’ policies and goals.
Why have a Safety Stand-Down?
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in (2020 BLS data). A keynote to these fatalities is, the deaths were preventable! The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazards awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.
When is the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction?
The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is from May 6-10.? More info can be found here:
How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down
Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime.
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Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful Stand-Down
1. Try to start early. Designate a coordinator to organize the stand-down. If you have multiple work sites, identify the team that will lead the stand-down at each site.
2. Think about asking your subcontractors, owner, architects, engineers, or others associated with your project to participate in the stand-down.
3. Consider reviewing your fall prevention program. This will help provide a more effective stand-down. What types of falls could happen:
4. Develop presentations or activities that will meet your needs. Decide what information will be best for your workplace and employees. The meeting should provide information to employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Hands-on exercises (a worksite walkaround, equipment checks, etc.) can increase retention.
5. Decide when to hold the stand-down and how long it will last. Decide if the stand-down will take place over a break, a lunch period, or some other time.
6. Promote the stand-down. Try to make it interesting to employees. Some employers find that serving snacks increases participation.
7. Hold your stand-down. Try to make it positive and interactive. Let employees talk about their experiences and encourage them to make suggestions.
8. Follow up. If you learned something that could improve your fall prevention program, consider making changes.
Make sure to reach out to Bizhaven! As an asset to your safety needs, your Bizhaven Safety Business Partner can help with developing a new or updating an existent Fall Prevention Program!
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