Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for
construction workers, accounting for 291 of the 828 construction fatalities recorded in
2013. So far through March 2015, 44 workers have fallen to their death (all industries).
These deaths are preventable!
Fall prevention safety standards were also among the top 10 most frequently cited
OSHA standards. During fiscal year 2014, more than $21 million dollars of fines were
issued under the “Duty to have Fall Protection” standard. Many more millions of
dollars’ worth of fines was issued for scaffolding violations and improper use of
ladders. What’s more disturbing is that failure to provide fall protection training was
also one of the most frequently cited OSHA standards. Employers who have employees
work at height must show certification of training for fall protection, no exception.
To help contractors with their fall prevention programs, OSHA and its training and
education institute centers (Ed Centers) throughout the country are partnering to
“Stand-Down” for safety.
What is a Safety Stand-Down?
A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to
employees about safety. This Stand-Down focuses on “Fall Hazards” and
reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention.”
