Werner, a dominant name in the ladder and fall protection equipment space, hopes to double the number of safety training events this year by offering on-site and virtual webinars supporting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s “National Safety Stand-Down Initiative.” 

OSHA’s 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down event is scheduled from May 1-5, 2023, encouraging workplaces to discuss safety, potential fall hazards, and fall prevention's importance. The Safety Stand Down initiative lasts through the end of May and includes access to free webinars and training content for any interested professional. 

Werner, a WernerCo brand, is a leader in ladders and climbing products designed for working at heights. Its portfolio includes ladders, scaffolding, pump jacks, stages, planks, accessories, and fall protection equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, anchors and compliance kits. 

In a news release, Werner said its ongoing training and education are vital to ensuring professionals are kept safe on the work site.

“Our [every day] commitment to safety goes far beyond May,” said Chad Lingerfelt, national safety training manager at WernerCo. “Because fall prevention and fall safety are such an important part of our mission, we will always focus on the education of [all who] can help prevent an accident.” 

An Ounce of Prevention: Falls Are Preventable

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 378 of the 986 construction fatalities recorded in 2021, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because accidental deaths from falling are preventable, OSHA’s National Safety Stand Down initiative sees the imperative as critical to raising awareness of fall hazards to prevent fall fatalities and injuries. And, as OSHA statistics underscore, the agency notes that failures in fall protection remain a top jobsite violation. 

Werner — a concern whose business model aligns with OSHA’s mandate to protect workers — notes how the Labor Department’s statistics signal a need for continuing and inclusive educational safety training, providing hands-on safety tips and practices for everyone. 

Training Events, Webinars and Free Resources from Werner

Werner plans to hold in-person and online events throughout May, sending members of its 36-person National Jobsite Safety and Security Team across the United States, leading five levels of fall protection and ladder safety training sessions. 

If virtual training is preferred, Werner plans two webinars on-demand with its safety and technical experts; webinars will be posted on the Werner Safety page on the following dates and will remain available for flexible viewing opportunities:

• Tuesday, May 2 – Safety ABCDEs 
• Thursday, May 18 – Self-Retracting Lines Facts and Fiction 

With the increased number of Werner-focused events this year, the company aims to train 50,000 users, an increase of more than 20,000 from 2022, the company said. Safety directors, construction professionals and industry pros can sign up to participate in training, education and access to free resources by clicking here.

Upon completing Werner’s Safety Stand-Down jobsite training, participants will receive a certificate of completion that may be shared with company safety directors as proof of training and potentially used by organizations for insurance purposes. 

For more information about the National Safety Stand Down initiative, please visit wernerco.com.