Among construction employees, falls from elevation remain the leading cause of death, accounting for 395 of 1,069 deaths in the industry according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In its continued effort to spread awareness of fall hazards in the workplace, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is hosting its annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction May 6th – 10th.
A strong safety culture is important to the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and its members. As such, ACC is supporting OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to help raise awareness of the importance of combating potential fall hazards. ACC encourages our member companies to join our efforts to promote safety in the workplace, this week and beyond.
What Is a Safety Stand-Down?
National Safety Stand-Down week is an opportunity for employers to engage with their workers about the potential for falls in the workplace, prevention measures, the company’s safety expectations and available training programs. Though this week places special emphasis on falls in the construction industry, participation is not limited to only construction companies nor are conversations limited to only fall prevention. Employers from all industries, big and small, are encouraged to engage with their workers about workplace safety.
A Safety Stand-Down event comes in many forms, including toolbox talks with workers, safety equipment inspections, or development of a rescue plan. To foster an engaging dialogue, the discussion should be positive, interactive and tailored to your audience. This personalization helps to maximize information sharing and retention while encouraging participation.
Where should you begin to craft a Safety Stand-Down event? A good first step is to review your company’s current fall protection program. By reviewing the current policies in place, you can determine whether your current program needs to be revised or updated.
OSHA has many resources and suggestions (available in both English and Spanish) on how to facilitate a successful Safety Stand-Down. Last year, OSHA established a National Emphasis Program focused on reducing fall-related injuries and fatalities, creating new guidance for educating employers. In addition, OSHA hosts an Events page with events free and open to the public. To have your free, open to the public event featured, contact your regional Stand-Down coordinator.
ACC Members Remain Committed to Worker Safety
ACC’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), Diisocyanates (DII) Panel, and Aliphatic Diisocyanates (ADI) Panel have a long-standing relationship with OSHA through the ACC-OSHA Alliance, a voluntary collaborative alliance.
Since 2017, the ACC-OSHA Alliance provides employers, workers, and other stakeholders within the polyurethanes value chain with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help protect the health and safety of workers. The polyurethanes value chain encompasses many sectors such as the construction industry – including roofing and insulation. The Alliance works year-round to foster safer and healthier American workplaces.
Follow along this week on X (formally Twitter) @accpolyurethane and CPI LinkedIn where ACC will be sharing information and resources on how to help protect workers from fall hazards. Don’t forget to share your Stand-Down story on social media using the hashtag #StandDown4Safety!