News & Insights

National Safety Stand-Down Week

Written by David Cookson | 5/6/19 12:53 PM

OSHA’s 2019 National Safety Stand-Down Week to prevent falls in construction will take place May 6-10, 2019.

Beacon Mutual and OSHA invite Rhode Island businesses to take part in National Safety Stand-Down Week. A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on "Fall Hazards" and reinforcing the importance of "Fall Prevention". It's an opportunity for employers to have a conversation with employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company's safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall hazards they see.

Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. In past years, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, sub- and independent contractors, highway construction companies, general industry employers, the U.S. Military, other government participants, unions, employer's trade associations, institutes, employee interest organizations, and safety equipment manufacturers.

Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime May 6-10, 2019.

Visit the OSHA website to learn more about the Stand-Down Week.

To learn more about fall prevention, download Beacon's Safety Alerts from the Safety Library.