National Safety Stand-DownThe OSHA Training Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District is gearing up for the second annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), from May 4-15, 2015.  OSHA’s goal for this year’s event is to reach over 3 million workers, a 300% increase over last year’s participation, which would result in almost 4 out of 10 U.S. construction workers receiving some form of fall prevention training.

Because falls account for the highest number of deaths in the construction industry, it is vitally important to raise awareness about the hazards associated with falls on construction jobsites.  Fatal falls and injuries take a terrible toll on workers and their families.  The National Safety Stand-Down provides employers an important opportunity to recognize the hazards that cause falls and train workers how to prevent them.

During the voluntary National Safety Stand-Down construction companies are invited to break from their regular work schedule anytime from May 4-15, 2015, to conduct a safety meeting, toolbox talk or other safety activity, such as organizing a safety equipment inspection, developing rescue plans or discussing job specific hazards.  Safety activities may include specific information about protective methods as well as company policies, goals and expectations regarding fall prevention and overall safety.

Fall prevention resources and information on how to conduct a successful National Safety Stand-Down activity may be found on the OSHA website.  Following their participation, employers will have the opportunity to download an OSHA Certificate of Participation, provide feedback on their fall prevention activities and offer suggestions on how OSHA can improve future safety initiatives.

Construction industry employers are strongly encouraged to begin planning well in advance of the National Safety Stand-Down in order to develop activities that work best for their jobsites and will be the most effective in reducing the high incidence of preventable accidents resulting from falls.

To help support OSHA’s fall prevention initiatives, the OSHA Training Center is offering OSHA #3115 – Fall Protection, an overview of state-of-the-art technology for fall protection and current OSHA requirements, at the following locations:

OSHA #3115 – Fall Protection

  • April 6-8 and October 5-7 | Sacramento, CA Safety Center
  • May 19-21 | San Francisco Bay Area – Dublin, CA
  • June 13-15 | Southern CA – Bakersfield
  • August 21-23 | Southern CA – Carson
  • November 16-18 | Las Vegas, NV Area

About the OSHA Training Center

The OSHA Training Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District offers high quality Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards-based training for construction, maritime and general industry at its Center in Dublin, California, as well as locations throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam. Programs offered include OSHA safety standards, Outreach Trainer courses, Cal/OSHA standards curriculum, environmental courses and customized on-site safety training. For more information, including a complete course schedule, visit the OSHA Training Center website or call (866) 936-OSHA (6742).