Focus on Safety Can Prevent Fall Injuries in Construction Industry

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is sponsoring a “National Safety Stand-Down” during the week of June 2 – 6, 2014 to raise awareness about the risk of falls in the construction industry. OSHA administrators want to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths that occur each year in the construction industry related to falls.

Falls consistently rank as the number one cause of fatal workplace accidents in the construction industry. Along with “struck by object” accidents, electrocutions, and “caught in/between” injuries, falls head the “Fatal Four” types of workplace accidents that were responsible for over half of all construction industry deaths in 2012.

In 2012, 269 construction workers across the United States were fatally injured in a fall. Falls accounted for over 34 percent of construction fatalities that year. Moreover, fall prevention safety standards were among the top 10 most frequently cited violations. OSHA says that every one of those 269 falls was preventable and hopes to prevent future fall injuries and fatalities.

According to OSHA, a “stand-down” is a voluntary event that employers choose to participate in with their employees. It is an opportunity to discuss an important issue, in this case fall prevention.

A “stand-down” can take place anywhere at any time. It can be formal or informal. OSHA suggests taking a break to conduct safety equipment inspections, develop rescue plans, or discuss job specific hazards. The OSHA website provides a list of suggestions to help employers conduct a successful stand-down.

By partnering with groups such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), and the National Safety Council, OSHA hopes to involve at least 25,000 employers and 500,000 employees in this year’s stand-down. If OSHA reaches that goal they will have included about one in ten construction workers across the country.

Employers can request that an OSHA representative participate in the company’s stand-down event by contacting the local OSHA office. Employers can also request a Certificate of Participation after the event. For information about specific events planned in your area, visit the OSHA Stand-Down website where events are listed by region.

If you are an employer, participation in the event is not mandatory. However, a 15-minute toolbox “stand-down” about fall prevention and safety could save a life in the coming year. If you are a construction worker, encourage your employer to participate in the stand-down – it could save your life or that of a co-worker.

If you have been injured in a Kentucky construction worksite fall, you could be entitled to compensation through the Kentucky workers’ compensation system. An experienced Kentucky workers’ compensation lawyer can explain the claims and appeals process.