Participate in the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls May 1-5

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), with support from the National Safety Council (NSC) and the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) loss control staff, is asking employers to take time during the 2023 National Safety Stand-down May 1-5 to discuss fall protection and safety when working from heights.

In 2022, fall-related injuries were the No. 1 specific cause of injury among public works employees, according to LMC loss data. There were 395 fall-related claims reported that year. As of this writing, there have been 226 reported falls among your colleagues in 2023 thus far.

The National Safety Stand-Down toPrevent Falls often focuses on construction. But let’s face it, falls occur in every industry. In fact, falls occur within every department of the city. We often think about falls from a ladder, but how about falls while exiting equipment or falls into a trench or excavation? I recently had the opportunity to work with a city that had a close call when an employee nearly fell into a wet well while changing a lift station pump. Together, we conducted a job hazard analysis (JHA) to reduce that hazard!

What is the National Safety Stand-down?

The program was originally a two-year effort, launched on Workers Memorial Day in 2012, to raise awareness of preventing fall hazards, specifically in construction. It was so successful that it is now an annual campaign at the start of every construction season in May. Tens of thousands of employers and millions of workers have participated.

It's Easy to Conduct a Stand-down

A safety stand-down can be a one-time event, or it can incorporate fall-safety events throughout the week. Public works directors are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their group: 

• Conduct a toolbox talk on ladder, scaffold, or entering/exiting equipment safety.
• Conduct a safety inspection with employees.
• Develop a rescue plan.
• Hold a training session.
• Watch a safety video.
• Contact your LMC loss controlconsultant.

OSHA offers handouts, posters, quizzes, fact sheets, stickers, T-shirts, and more. OSHA also posts a list of stand-down events being held across the country.

All Industries Can Conduct a Stand-down

Falls can happen in any industry that involves working from height. NSC and OSHA encourage workers in all industries to conduct a stand-down. No company is too small to participate; roughly half of events nationwide are held by companies with 25 or fewer employees.

Need Additional Assistance? 

Contact your LMC loss control consultant. We’re here to help! We can assist with additional training materials, resources, and advice.

Meanwhile, please work safely — a lot of people depend on you.

 

Submitted by:  Marc Dunker, Loss Control Consultant