April 28th marks Workers’ Memorial Day in which workers and occupational safety activists honor those who have lost their lives on the job. They also fight for safe workplaces for all workers around the world. 

Four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Since then, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved and millions of workplace injuries and illnesses have been prevented. However, the construction industry still saw 806 lives lost in 2012. And the number one cause of death is falls.

National Safety Stand-Down

In an effort to raise awareness on this leading cause of death of construction workers, OSHA, NIOSH and CPWR created National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction. From June 2-6, 2014, this voluntary event urges employers to talk directly to employees about hazards, protective methods and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Topics to discuss include ladder safety, fall protection equipment or scaffolds safety. 

Read here, for ideas on how to take part during the National Safety Stand-Down with toolbox talks, streaming videos, handouts and apps, from the Campaign to Stop Construction Falls.

HELPFUL LINKS:

• OSHA
• National Safety Stand-Down
• The Campaign to Stop Construction Falls
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