National Fall Prevention Stand-Down

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 350 of the 937 construction fatalities recorded in 2015 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Fall Prevention Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

---

What is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on "Fall Hazards" and reinforcing the importance of "Fall Prevention". It's an opportunity for employers to have a conversation with employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company's safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall hazards they see.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone who wants to prevent falls in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. In past years, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, sub- and independent contractors, highway construction companies, general industry employers, the U.S. Military, other government participants, unions, employer's trade associations, institutes, employee interest organizations, and safety equipment manufacturers.

Partners

OSHA is partnering with key groups to assist with this effort, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), OSHA approved State Plans, State consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE), the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.

How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down 

Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime during the May 8-12, 2017. 

National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is May 8-12

In preparation for National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction next week, here are 5 facts you should know about preventable falls.

Shattered Dreams: Distracted Driving Changes Lives

Distracted Driving Research

• ​Teens and Young Drivers

  
  

  • Young Drivers Report Highest Level of Phone Involvement in Crash or Near-Crash Incidences
    A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey found 20% of drivers age 18-20 said texting does not affect their driving, and nearly 30% of drivers ages 21-34 said texting has no impact.
  • Distracted Driving Among Newly Licensed Teen Drivers
    AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety placed data recorders in the vehicles of young drivers to capture video, audio, sudden braking, abrupt turns and other information. If you have a teen driver, you'll at least want to read the executive summary of this eye-opening study.
  • Sample videos showing distraction and teen crashes
    Check out this AAA Foundation video posted in March 2015.
  • Teens and Distracted Driving: Texting, talking and other uses of the cell phone behind the wheel
    Madden & Lenhart (2009) Pew Internet & American Life Project

  
  

  Hands-free Devices

  
  

  • Understanding the Distracted Brain: This NSC white paper examines why driving while using hands-free devices is risky
  • AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Research shows that voice-activated in-car technologies dangerously undermine driver attention
  • Voice-to-text offers no safety advantage over manual texting, says a study conducted by Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  
  Cell Phone use Compared to Alcohol-impaired Driving

  
  

  • Fatal Distraction? A Comparison of the Cell Phone Driver and the Drunk Driver
    Strayer, Drews, Crouch (2006)

  
  

  Cell Phone use is Under-reported

  
  

  • Driver cell phone use is under-reported by authorities. This NSC white paper examines the challenges of collecting and reporting reliable crash data

  
  Be sure to check out the U.S. government website for distracted driving. It contains up-to-date research reports, statistics and video testimonials, as well as resources for teens, parents, teachers, employers and community groups.

Multitasking is a Myth

Driving and cell phone conversations both require a great deal of thought. When doing them at the same time, your brain is unable to do either well. For example, it's nearly impossible to read a book and have a phone conversation. While driving, this often results in crashes due to delayed braking times and not seeing traffic signals.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted Driving: One Call Can Change Everything

• Thousands have Died in Crashes Involving Cell Phone Use

   

  Many distractions exist while driving, but cell phones are a top distraction because so many drivers use them for long periods of time each day. Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but when you are the one distracted, you often don't realize that driver is you.

  New technology in vehicles is causing us to become more distracted behind the wheel than ever before. Fifty-three percent of drivers believe if manufacturers put "infotainment" dashboards and hands-free technology in vehicles, they must be safe. And, with some state laws focusing on handheld bans, many drivers honestly believe they are making the safe choice by using a hands-free device. But in fact, these technologies distract our brains even long after you've used them.

  Make no mistake: This multitasking technology is about convenience, not safety.

Prevention is the solution to the problem of injury cost

Every year, more than 3 million workers are seriously injured, and thousands more are killed on the job. In a new report, OSHA details the enormous financial and social cost of these injuries, which are largely borne by workers, their families, and taxpayers. 

In the report, Adding Inequality to Injury: The Costs of Failing to Protect Workers on the Job, OSHA says a worker who is seriously injured will earn 15 percent less over a 10-year period and will bear 50 percent of the costs associated with that injury.

OSHA administrator David Michaels, PhD, notes, “These injuries and illnesses add to the pressing issue of income inequality because they force working families out of the middle class and into poverty, and keep the families of lower-wage workers from ever getting out.”

In theory, workers’ compensation covers lost wages, medical expenses, rehabilitation, and other injury costs. But the coverage is actually quite limited. OSHA says that workers’ compensation payments typically cover only about 21 percent of lost wages and medical costs associated with injuries and illnesses. The rest must be paid by workers, private health insurance, and taxpayers through programs like disability subsidies. Moreover, studies show that only about 40 percent of eligible workers apply for workers’ compensation benefits at all.

Another issue is the increased employment of temporary workers, which OSHA says increases the risk of injuries. Injured temporary workers tend to lose more days from work than other workers while receiving less medical and time loss reimbursement. As well, temps are often more hesitant to report their injuries and claim compensation out of concern that a staffing agency will not assign them additional work.

Prevention is the solution to the problem of injury cost

OSHA concludes that the cost-effective solution to the economic burden of workplace injuries is preventing them. A reduction in incidents would also have a significant impact on healthcare system costs, reducing expenditures for hospitalizations and other care.

Although the number of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities has declined dramatically since 1970, the year OSHA was formed, the report suggests that much more must be done. Employers must reduce risk, and states should eliminate roadblocks that prevent workers with compensable injuries or illnesses from receiving full benefits.