What is National Safety Stand-Down Week?
Every year, National Safety Stand-Down encourages construction companies across the country to dedicate a week to focus on fall prevention. Organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), this event encourages employers and workers to pause regular activities to engage in discussions, training, and review safety policies and goals.
Falls remain a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 865 work-related fatalities due to falls, slips, and trips in 2022, with workers in construction and extraction occupations having the second-most fatalities compared to other groups (BLS, Dec. 19, 2023).
This year’s Fall Prevention Awareness Week runs from May 6 to 10, 2024. OSHA hosts an Events page to help employers and employees find events in your area. Contact your Regional Stand-Down coordinator to learn more about hosting a free event.
Why Fall Prevention is Critical in Construction
The numbers on falls within the construction industry paint a stark picture. As noted by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director John Howard, M.D., “Falls remain the leading cause of work-related deaths in construction, accounting for one-third of all on-the-job deaths in the industry (CDC, April 27, 2022).”
While falls from roofs, scaffolds, ladders, and other elevated surfaces account for a significant portion of construction site fatalities, falls can occur at any height and have devastating consequences. These accidents can result in severe injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, and even death. Beyond the tragic human cost, fall-related accidents can have considerable economic ramifications, impacting timelines and budgets.
“Construction employment is projected to grow 4.4% between 2020 to 2030,” said Chris Trahan Cain, executive director of CPWR (The Center for Construction Research and Training). “More construction means more workers exposed to work at heights. The Stand-Down is a crucial piece of the work of educating owners, employers, and their employees – especially those that are new to construction – about the steps to take to make sure each worker goes home safe at the end of every day.” (CDC, April 27, 2022)
Top Fall Protection Products You Need on Site
Having workers trained to recognize fall hazards is the most vital element in a fall prevention program. Falls can be prevented with proper safety measures in place. As workplace safety experts, PK Safety offers a comprehensive range of fall protection equipment designed to keep your workers safe at any height.
Here's a closer look at some essential products to keep your workers safe:
- Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs): These systems provide workers greater freedom of movement while keeping them tethered to an anchor point. SRLs are engineered to lock quickly in the event of a fall, preventing speed and impact buildup. These safety devices are indispensable for enhancing safety in environments with frequent vertical movement and high fall risks.
- Full-body harnesses: A full-body harness is a critical anchor point for a fall arrest system, distributing fall forces evenly across the thighs, chest, and shoulders. Look for harnesses that are OSHA and ANSI-certified to ensure maximum safety. A good example is the 3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X300 X-Style Positioning Construction Safety Harness, which features revolving torso adapters that adjust the harness fit with ease, speed, and lock webbing into place to maintain a comfortable and safe harness fit.
- Shock-absorbing lanyards: These lanyards are connected to a harness and an anchor point, these lanyards are designed to minimize the impact force on the body in the event of a fall, thus reducing the risk of injury. Whether working on construction sites or any industrial setting, there's a lanyard designed to meet rigorous safety standards. These provide workers with the confidence to perform their duties at elevation safely and effectively.
- Anchor Points: A critical component of fall arrest systems, these provide a secure point to attach lifelines and lanyards. Anchor points are designed to support the substantial forces exerted in a fall. They can be permanent fixtures on a building or structure or temporary installations specific to a particular job.
- Guardrail systems: These are essential for preventing falls from edges. Permanent or portable guardrail systems create physical barriers to help ensure workers don’t accidentally step off edges such as roofs and open floors.
When looking for the best fall protection products in the industry, you want a supplier you can count on. PK Safety has been a trusted name in workplace safety for over 75 years. Contact us today for assistance in developing a comprehensive fall protection program.
Implementing Fall Prevention Strategies During the Stand-Down
The National Safety Stand-Down Week presents a valuable opportunity to integrate fall prevention into your overall safety program. Here are some tips for making the most out of the week:
- Conduct training sessions: Provide all workers with comprehensive training on fall hazards, proper use of fall protection equipment, and safe work practices at heights.
- Inspect equipment: Dedicate time during the Stand-Down to inspect all fall protection equipment for damage and wear and tear. Fall protection harness inspection allows you to identify and remove any defective equipment, replacing them immediately.
- Conduct safety demonstrations: Organize on-site demonstrations for wearing and using fall protection equipment properly. Check out OSHA’s fall prevention educational materials and resources.
- Encourage open discussions: Facilitate discussion with workers about fall hazards and encourage them to report any unsafe work conditions. These conversations help align fall protection programs with the realities of the work environment.
By implementing these strategies and taking advantage of Stand-Down week, you can make significant strides toward creating safer workplaces.
Your Next Steps: Enhancing Safety with PK Safety
As the National Safety Stand-Down concludes, your commitment to safety should not. Continuously improving and updating safety protocols and ensuring that all equipment and tool fall protection on site meets the latest safety standards is crucial.
PK Safety’s workplace safety experts can help tailor solutions to meet specific needs. Here’s how we can help you:
- Product Selection: Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the appropriate fall protection equipment for your specific needs and applications.
- Compliance Guidance: Fall protection compliance is the most cited OSHA violation in the US. Our safety experts can help you navigate OSHA standards to ensure your operation is compliant.
- Ongoing Support: We offer support and resources to help you maintain a safe working environment.
Contact us today for any workplace safety concerns. Together, we can make safety a priority to ensure a safer tomorrow.
References:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (Dec. 19, 2023). National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2022. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (April 27, 2022). National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. Retrieved from National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction | NIOSH | CDC