The National Safety Stand-Down: May 6-10
Written by SpringfieldApril 22, 2019
[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]The week of May 6-10, 2019 will be the sixth National Safety Stand-Down, coinciding with NAOSH Safety Week.
Second only to highway crashes, falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities. Falls are the leading cause of construction deaths. The sad reality is that these deaths are preventable.
What is the Safety Stand-Down?
OSHA is promoting a voluntary event to allow employers to take time to talk with employees about fall safety. The National Safety Council (NSC) also wants to remind you that all industries can conduct a stand-down.Who can participate?
While the primary focus of this event is construction falls, (the largest sector of work-related fall fatalities), we would like to remind you that fatal falls frequently happen in agricultural, manufacturing, and transportation industries too. The fall height of these deaths surprises many.In 2015, 16.9% of all fatal falls were from a height of 10 feet or less.Your company is not too small. In previous years, roughly half of the participants in the Safety Stand-Down are companies with 25 or fewer employees.
Ways to participate
Joining the stand down is easy. Some simple things you can do include:- Conduct short and simple toolbox talks focused on ladder, scaffold, or rooftop safety
- Perform safety equipment inspections with employees
- Refresh fall-safety training
- Hold training, show a safety video, or bring in a safety expert such as Springfield
- Discuss job-specific hazards, protective measures and equipment, and any safety policies and plans
- Develop, review, or amend your rescue plan
How to conduct a stand-down at your workplace
OSHA has a wealth of resources to help plan and conduct your safety stand-down. Resources include training aids, a case study, quiz, videos, infographics, posters, and much more. Every effort you make to prevent fall-related deaths is worthwhile, even simple 15-minute toolbox talks.Certificate of participation
Employers willing to participate and provide feedback will be eligible to download a certificate of participation. The certificate pages will be active on May 6 at OSHA’s Stop Falls Stand-Down and the National Safety Council’s (NSC) webpages. Certificates will be available even after the event (until June 30th), so you can still participate even if you miss the Stand-Down Week.Springfield
Springfield is a leader in fall safety. We’ve developed the revolutionary LadderAnchor because 24% of fatal falls (2008-2010) are related to ladders. We also regularly assist commercial and industrial building operators with developing and implementing turn-key solutions for the fall safety of their facilities. These solutions exceed OSHA requirements and offer a significant return on investment.OSHA estimates every $1 invested in workplace safety and health returns between $4 and $6.
Springfield knows OSHA guidelines inside and out. We’re not here to replace your in-house safety team but give them all the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in saving lives. Here are some of the ways we help organizations:
- Incredibly thorough safety assessments
- 100% custom designs for expert safety solutions to your risks
- Installation of temporary and permanent safety systems
- Comprehensive safety fall-protection training
- Inspection and maintenance of safety systems as required annually
- Our SmartLight offers a much safer daylight option than traditional skylights
crane tipped over at a cement plant. No one was hurt. Construction workers from all over Michigan picketed to raise awareness for construction safety. They have reason to be concerned. Without proper precautions, construction can be a dangerous endeavor. Springfield holds its own employees and construction workers everywhere in high regard. We have professional engineers on staff to design, implement, and install fall prevention systems inside and outside of industrial facilities. Springfield Inc. helps clients with rooftop safety programs that keep people safe as well as keeping our commercial clients in compliance with OSHA. We do it all and can help you without costing you an “ARM and a LEG.”
