OSHA Hosts Webinar to Launch 7th Annual National Stand-Down

Juan Zuniga Ramos, principal of JZ Exteriors and Repairs LLC, reportedly failed to provide fall protection and train workers on its use. OSHA says the contractor has accused more than $30,000 in unpaid fines.

— Graphic courtesy of Pixabay

WASHINGTON, DC — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it will host a webinar today, Sept. 14, to kick-off the 7th annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, held Sept. 14-18. OSHA will conduct the webinar at 1 p.m. EDT. Featured speakers include:

Loren Sweatt, principal deputy assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health;
Scott Ketcham, director, OSHA directorate of construction;
John Howard, director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH);
Scott Earnest, director, NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health; and
Chris Trahan Cain, executive director, Center for Construction Research and Training.

The Stand-Down encourages companies and workers to pause during the workday for topical discussions, safety demonstrations, and training in hazard recognition and fall prevention. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, OSHA is encouraging employers to promote fall safety virtually or while employing social distancing practices among small groups.

OSHA anticipates thousands of employers nationwide to participate this year. To guide their efforts, the agency is offering a National Fall Prevention Safety Stand-Down webpage with information on conducting a successful event, how to post local events, and additional educational resources in English and Spanish. Employers are encouraged to provide feedback after their events and to obtain a personalized certificate of participation.

For a list of the week’s activities, please visit the Stand-Down events page at www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDowncalendar.html.

The fall-prevention stand-down is a national campaign that was developed in partnership between OSHA, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) and the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). Also supporting the event this year are OSHA-approved State Plans, state consultation programs, American Society of Safety Engineers, National Safety Council, National Construction Safety Executives, U.S. Air Force, OSHA Training Institute Education Centers and several Hispanic organizations.