OSHA Encourages Workers to Stand Down to Prevent Falls

As facility maintenance workers often need to use ladders and lifts to work from heights, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding workers to participate in its seventh annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls campaign.

The campaign, which was rescheduled from May to September 14-18 due to the coronavirus pandemic, encourages employers to provide safety demonstrations on fall protection equipment, conduct talks regarding fall-related hazards and safety policies, and promote the event by using the #StandDown4Safety hash tag on social media. OSHA advises employers to promote fall safety virtually or while using social distancing practices among small groups.

Extensive resources are available on OSHA’s Fall Prevention Stand-Down webpage. Resources include:

• A brief video entitled “5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls,” which encourages employers to educate and train workers on fall protection equipment
• A series of fall prevention publications
• OSHA’s Fall Prevention Training Guide, which provides a lesson plan for employers, including several Toolbox Talks
• Guidance on ladder and scaffolding safety.

CMM provides guidance for working safely from aerial lifts.