Source: NSC press release

Hundreds of construction workers die each year and thousands more face debilitating injuries due to falls in the workplace. To bring greater attention to this problem, the National Safety Council is supporting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on a Fall Safety Stand-Down taking place May 4-15, 2015.

“Serious injuries and fatalities due to falls are devastating and especially tragic as they are completely preventable,” said Jim Johnson, vice president of workplace safety initiatives at NSC. “The Council is proud to partner with OSHA on this important stand down to raise awareness of fall prevention.”

Lack of proper fall protection remains a top frequently cited violation on OSHA’s annual top 10 list. In recognition of this year’s stand down, the Council and OSHA urge employers to take time out of their days to focus on fall prevention through safety talks, demonstrations and trainings.

“Fatal falls and injuries touch workers in all kinds of jobs across the country; it’s a broad problem that has a terrible impact on workers and their families,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.

The National Fall Safety Stand-Down is part of OSHA’s fall prevention campaign, launched three years ago. Visit the 2015 National Safety Stand-Down webpage to learn how to conduct a stand-down, receive a certificate of participation, and access free education and training resources, fact sheets and other outreach materials in English and Spanish.

The Council has been advocating for workplace safety for more than 100 years. In September, NSC launched the Journey to Safety Excellence campaign using materials and research it has collected since its establishment. The Journey to Safety Excellence is a free roadmap for employers to build a workplace that keeps people safe.

About the National Safety Council

Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities. Safety+Health magazine, the Council’s flagship publication, is a leading source of occupational safety and health information.