OR-FACE participated in multiple events during last week’s 5th annual National Safety Stand-down. #StandDown4Safety is part of OSHA’s ongoing campaign to prevent falls in construction as falls continue to be the leading cause of fatalities in the trades. The purpose of the stand-down is for employers and employees to take a pause and engage in open discussion about how to prevent falls at their worksites.

The week culminated with a stand-down training event hosted by the Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center. The 5-hour event was a collaboration developed along with OR-FACE, AGC-Oregon-Columbia Chapter and Oregon OSHA. This free public event, held at the Portland Sheet Metal Institute, featured the OSHA 7405 short course, “Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry” along with a panel discussion and demonstration of the use of fall protection equipment. Barb Epstien, OR-FACE fatality investigator and outreach specialist, facilitated a toolbox talk about a construction worker who died after falling 20-25 feet from a pump-jack scaffold platform. Many of the 80 attendees contributed ideas and shared their own stories throughout the day, which strengthened the lessons learned by all.

OR-FACE was also proud to participate in a short video produced by NIOSH: “A Five Year Look-back, National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction”.

Let’s remember that Safety Stand-down is not just for a day or a week. Construction falls are preventable. Let’s work together and keep those conversations going all year long!