OSHA partnered with construction contractors, the Federal Highway Administration, the state of Georgia and local government organizations to sponsor a safety stand-down hour at local construction sites around Georgia on Tuesday, Nov. 9, according to an agency press release.

Employers voluntarily stopped work at construction sites from 7 to 8 a.m. EST to conduct work zone safety training focused on the prevention of injuries occurring when employees are struck by objects and vehicles. Objects and vehicles striking workers are a lead cause of construction-related deaths. Approximately 75 percent of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes.

"The one-hour stand down will heighten employees' awareness and their ability to identify and eliminate work-related hazards in the construction community," said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator for the Southeast. "This alliance has taken the initiative and shown leadership with organizing and conducting this safety stand-down industry-wide as well as throughout Georgia to emphasize the importance of employees' safety in work zones."

The Georgia Struck-By Alliance consists of OSHA, Associated General Contractors of America Georgia Branch, 3M Visibility and Insulations Solutions, Georgia's Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Georgia Division, Georgia Highways Contractors Association, Georgia Utility Contractors Association, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Lamar Signs, Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia and Georgia Power.

An informational flyer and toolbox talks in both English and Spanish are available on the Associated General Contractors of America Inc. Georgia Branch website at http://www.agcga.org.