Government agencies and nonprofit organizations geared toward protecting U.S. worker health and safety are teaming up to educate employers to reduce workplace injuries and deaths.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) announced its support for the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction from May 8-12 and also is co-sponsoring Safe + Sound Week from June 12-18. Both of the programs are part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs in workplaces.
"We are honored to be working with OSHA to promote these important initiatives," said Steven E. Lacey, PhD, CIH, CSP, president of AIHA in a statement. "Working with our federal and association partners, we aim to raise awareness of workplace health and safety through increased dialogue between employers and employees. If you haven't already planned an event at your work site, there's still time."
More than four million workers suffer from serious job-related injuries or illnesses each year, and nearly 5,000 Americans die from work-related incidents on an annual basis, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
The first of the two awareness events, National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, is voluntary for employers. During that week, companies are encouraged to hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of preventing falls.
The purpose of the National Safety Stand-down is for employers to have a conversation with employees about hazards, protective methods and the company's safety policies and goals. The week is co-sponsored by OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), OSHA-approved State Plans, State consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the National Safety Council (NSC), the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE), the U.S. Air Force and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.
Safe + Sound Week from June 12-18 is co-sponsored by AIHA, OSHA, NSC, ASSE and NIOSH.
During this event, employers can show their commitment to worker health and safety through management leadership, worker participation and finding and fixing workplace hazards.
For more information about the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction visit here and for more information on Safe + Sound Week visit here.