Region 2 News Release: 13-1198-NEW/BOS-2013-95
June 25, 2013
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Andre Bowser
Phone: 617-565-2075 617-565-2074
Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov bowser.andre.j@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA announces safety stand-down in
New York and New Jersey to prevent falls at construction work sites

ALBANY, N.Y. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging construction employers in New York and New Jersey to participate in a safety stand-down held June 24 to July 3.

The OSHA safety stand-down will focus on preventing falls within the construction industry by partnering with contractors, unions, and workers to distribute safety information to more than 4,000 organizations.

"Falls continue to be the leading cause of worker deaths, and we need to ensure that top-level management remains committed to supporting effective injury prevention programs" said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "This is an opportunity for OSHA, industry leaders, unions and workers to team up and reinforce the importance of providing fall protection and education for all exposed employees."

OSHA produced the construction industry information packet to combat worker falls and provide clear safety standards. It also serves as an information sheet for companies to record their stand-down events. Companies have the option to receive an OSHA certificate of participation for taking part in the voluntary program.

OSHA's fall prevention campaign provides employers and workers with lifesaving information and educational materials about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs. It was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program. More information on fall protection standards is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions exist for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Editor's note: Members of the media are free to use the information, illustration and links in their fall protection stories. Sharing this information may help prevent an injury or fatality.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.