Struck-by accidents are the second most prevalent cause of workplace fatalities and the top cause of death among construction workers in the U.S. and Texas. There were 170 construction worker fatalities in 2019 and about 16,600 job site injuries from struck-by accidents.
That’s why The National Safety Stand-Down is scheduled annually to bring attention to construction industry safety risks and to prevent them. Learn more about the annual Safety Stand-Down in this article, and speak to our Pflugerville construction accident lawyers and wrongful death lawyers at Pastrana & García Law Injury Law for legal assistance after a workplace accident.
What Is a Safety Stand-Down?
In the construction industry, safety stand-downs are used to refer to activities where regular work is paused, and workers or the whole worksite focus on a particular safety issue. Some companies may use a stand-down to bring attention to certain specifications that can address dangers on the work site. The National Safety Stand-Down focuses on highway construction zones, vehicular hazards, dump trucks, dropped objects, and vehicle recovery.
What Is the National Safety Stand-Down?
In the construction industry, safety stand-downs refer to activities where regular work is paused, and workers or the worksite focus on a safety issue. Some companies may use a stand-down to bring attention to certain specifications that can address dangers on the work site. The National Safety Stand-Down focuses on highway construction zones, vehicular hazards, dump trucks, dropped objects, and vehicle recovery.
Anyone interested in preventing hazards on the job may participate in the annual safety stand-down. In previous years, participants in the event included construction firms, construction contractors, independent contractors, highway construction firms, the U.S. military, unions, trade organizations, institutes, safety equipment manufacturers, etc.
How to Do a Safety Stand-Down
If you want to prevent hazards in the workplace, you can organize your own safety stand-down. Depending on the type of company, your stand-down could consist of employees, contractors, managers, trade associations, vendors, and safety equipment manufacturers. Here’s how to hold your own stand-down:
- Plan ahead. Schedule the stand-down well in advance so that most workers can participate, and attendance might increase if lunch is provided.
- Cover the safety basics. Select a useful topic for the safety stand-down according to the type of job site. For instance, a construction company could have a stand-down covering scaffolding or ladder safety.
- Hold the stand-down. Provide the safety information to workers and keep it short. Hands-on demonstrations and visual aids increase, retention and consider distributing the covered safety information through text or email.
Consider using some of the following resources and programs for your next safety stand-down:
- NAHB Fall Protection Video
- NAHB Roofing Safety Video
- NAHB Ladder Safety Video
- OSHA Fall Prevention Resources
- CPWR Preventing Falls From Scaffolding
- S. Fire Administration Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
- ASSP Fall Protection Toolbox
How to Prevent Falls at Construction Sites in Texas
Fall prevention is frequently a topic of safety stand-downs because falls are the top cause of death on construction sites in Texas. Falls comprise about one-third of all job site deaths in the construction industry nationally, so OSHA devotes considerable resources to fall protection. Fortunately, following these safety guidelines can reduce serious and often fatal fall accidents:
- Wear a safety harness. OSHA mandates that construction workers use a full-body harness when they do work at heights of six or more feet. The harness should always be connected to anchor points with a lanyard and even a deceleration device.
- Be certain the harness fits. Select the correct size and wear it correctly. Also, be sure the D-ring fits correctly in the center of the back and the chest strap is positioned at mid-chest.
- Use lifelines or guardrails. Safety guardrails provide a barrier from the edge of a roof or building to prevent a fall. A lifeline prevents a falling construction worker from hitting the surface below.
- Do a safety inspection of all fall protection equipment before each use. Fall protection equipment should be reviewed at least every six months or whatever the manufacturer states in the manual.
These safety guidelines will usually help you avoid falls at the job site. But if you suffer a fall, get medical attention immediately and report the incident to your employer as soon as possible.
Contact the Pflugerville Personal Injury Attorneys at Pastrana & García Injury Law Today
The National Safety Stand-Down is vital for preventing job site accidents in Texas and countrywide. But if you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident recently, you could have legal options.
Speak to our Pflugerville personal injury attorneys today for more information. You won’t pay legal fees unless we win your case, so contact us today for a consultation.
