OSHA Region 2 Falls in Construction Campaign - STAND DOWN (06/14/13) - 2

OSHA is inviting you and/or your membership to participate in our region-wide Summer 2013 “Falls in Construction” Stand-Down event that is being held from June 24, 2013 to July 3, 2013. FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CONSTRUCTION. In 2010, there were 264 fall fatalities (255 falls to lower level) out of 774 total fatalities in construction. These deaths are preventable.

While participation in the Stand-Down is entirely voluntary, I hope that you will be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity. By helping to reach workers and employers and raise awareness about the hazards of falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs - you will be part of a concerted effort throughout New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that result from falls. 

Participation in the Stand-Down is very simple.  During the period of June 24th through July 3rd, a participating employer agrees to present a “toolbox talk” to employees about falls and how to prevent them.  A participating employer’s Stand-Down can be held at any time during the dates above and at the place of the employer’s choosing.

In order to assist employers in presenting their “toolbox talk”, OSHA has developed the attached Stand-Down Event packet.  Individual companies can use this packet as is or modify the packet to suit their own needs. 

And if a company desires to receive formal recognition for participating in the event, they can submit the form at the end of the packet when their Stand-Down event is complete and they will receive a “Certificate of Participation” for their worksite.

Please note that OSHA is inviting numerous construction industry contacts throughout our Region to help distribute this information.  It is our hope that everyone will be able to participate in the event. Working together, we can reduce the number of injuries and fatalities that occur each year in construction due to falls.

If applicable, please distribute this email to your organization’s membership to provide the widest dissemination possible.  OSHA would appreciate being provided with a total number of contacts you forward this email to so we can quantify our distribution efforts. We would like to use this information to publicize the scale of this event accordingly. 

Thank you in advance for your participation and assistance in this important and timely workplace safety initiative.

For additional information about OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign, see http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls/index.html Please join us in OSHA’s Region 2 Safety Stand Down Falls in Construction Campaign.