2009 Fall Protection Safety Stand Down

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has partnered with several construction trade associations across the state to participate in the statewide Fall Protection Safety Stand Down. Participating employers will shut down their jobs on Monday morning, June 1, and train their employees on fall protection for approximately 45-60 minutes.

 

Falls are a leading cause of fatalities in construction, accounting for one-third of all deaths across the industry. In 2007, there were 447 fatalities across the United States that occurred from falling. Because there is typically a rise in construction accidents during the summer months of June through August the goal of this event is to raise awareness about the hazards of falling and to review the fall protection requirements.

 

“TOSHA is committed to helping employees identify fall hazards and select the necessary protection to control or eliminate the hazard,” said James Neeley, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. “We feel this will be an event that will truly impact the safety and health of the many hard working construction workers across this state.”

 

To be a part of the Safety Stand Down employers will need to fill out and send in a registration form. In return they will receive a training program, promotion flyers, and hard hat stickers. TOSHA has agreed to provide trainers to large sites where multiple contractors are present.

 

The partnering construction trade associations participating in this event are: Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, Tennessee Road Builders Association, American Society of Safety Engineers, Home Builders Association of Tennessee and the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association.

 

For more information on the Fall Protection Safety Stand Down please go to http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/tosha_2009FallProtection.htm or contact TOSHA at 615-741-2793.

 

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