Safety Stand-Down Event: Addressing Safety Concerns

Construction work can be a dangerous line of work, especially when it comes to the potential of falls. Falls are deadly, costly, and must be prevented. Safety education saves lives, and saves money. Beginning May7th, you can be a part of the 5th Annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This event is a powerful movement to raise awareness for the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry by taking time out for addressing safety concerns.

What Exactly is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is an event designed for employers to facilitate discussion with employees about work safety. By setting aside time to focus on fall-prevention and other serious job hazards, construction companies across the nation can seize this opportunity to address safety concerns. Addressing safety concerns builds awareness, trust, and most importantly it can save lives. This important discussion should include an in depth review of the company’s safety policies and expectations for employees. When dealing with people’s lives, addressing safety concerns and reviewing policies cannot be overstated.

Why a Stand-Down?

Falls are the leading cause of death for workers in the construction industry. OSHA has cited countless companies for failure to comply with OSHA’s safety standards. Fall prevention is unique compared to other safety precautions and must be treated as a priority in safety. By Standing-Down, attention is focused on the actions to be taken for preventing falls in the future.

Can I Participate?

Yes! This is an important issue and by joining the Safety Stand-Down, you are supporting the safety of workers across the country. Typical participants include: both commercial and residential construction companies, general industry employers, sub- and independent contractors, U.S. Military, various government groups, employer’s trade associations, unions, employee interest organizations, and safety equipment manufacturers. Whether you fit into one of these groups or not, your support in raising awareness for construction workers is valued and appreciated. When members of a community come together by addressing safety concerns, it helps to build a sense of unity.

Should I Host a Safety Stand-Down?

When you participate or host a safety stand-down, you demonstrate to your employees that you are committed to the health and safety of your employees. This is a crucial consideration for the employees you hire. Addressing safety concerns in a Safety Stand-Down saves lives and money. Whereas, falls and injuries are not only costly, they can be fatal.

Perhaps you have hosted or participated in a Safety Stand-Down in the past. Is there any reason to do it again? The answer is yes. Again, you want to demonstrate your devotion to providing the utmost safety protection for the workers you employ. There are even different levels of certifica

tes you can receive based on the number of years you have participated in a Safety Stand-Down. Platinum, gold, silver, and bronze certificates indicate your level of participation in support of this event. Your employees will want to consider this when they are looking to be hired.

Safety Stand-Down FAQs

When Should The Safety Stand-Down take place?

The Safety Stand-Down can take place anytime between May 7-11, 2018. Topics for discussion can be held at the company work site or you can make arrangements to host your event elsewhere. This awareness event can be as flexible as you want it to be. The idea is to focus all our attention on the importance of fall-prevention, maintaining safe practices, and quality training.

How should I conduct a Safety Stand-Down?

You can schedule time to open up discussion about fall-hazards and prevention. This is a good time to review procedures, make plans, conduct drills, and inspections of equipment. Check out OSHA’s Event Page for more information about events that are available to the public.

Who is Partnered with OSHA for the Safety Stand-Down? 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)

OSHA approved State Plans

State consultation programs

The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR)

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)

The National Safety Council

The National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE)

The U.S. Air Force

OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers

How Can I Learn More About Safety Stand-Downs in my area?

To learn more about how you can get involved with Safety Stand-Downs in your area, you can contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinator. If you are interested in posting your event on the OSHA website, you will need to get in touch as soon as possible. https://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/calendar.html

Can I Share About Our Safety Stand-Down?

Yes, please! You can even download a certificate of participation to proudly display that your company is serious about safety. You cannot afford to not to be serious about safety! So, share your commitment to addressing safety concerns and Stand-Down with us. Do you have a story you would like to share with us? Are you thinking of hosting an event? Let us be a part of it! You can contact us by email at https://www.osha10hourtraining.com/contact-us/.

You can also spread the word of your support by post your event on social media. Use the hashtags  #StandDown4Safety #Train4Less.

What else can I do to prevent Work Site Injuries and Illnesses?

Workers must be provided with adequate training for safety in all areas of work. OSHA 10 Hour Training covers general safety education and is great for updating knowledge with a refresher course. Our courses are conveniently online, so you can determine how and when workers complete their training. Sign up for a course today and you will be supporting the safety of your workers tomorrow.