OSHA News Release
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Region 7
Region 7 News Release: 14-989-KAN
June 2, 2014
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov
Safety Pays, Falls Cost: Nucor Steel hosts
OSHA Fall Safety Stand-Down event, June 2
NORFOLK, Neb. – Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and they accounted for 12 percent of all occupational injuries in 2012. In an effort to prevent these injuries and fatalities through education and outreach, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration launches the 2014 Fall Safety Stand-Down, which will be held from June 2-6. An estimated 1 million workers and 25,000 businesses, including construction industry leaders, will halt their work for one hour during that week to discuss the importance of recognizing fall hazards and implementing fall safety measures.
Nucor Steel will be a part of this nationwide effort on Monday, June 2. Managers, supervisors and employees of Nucor Steel from throughout the Norfolk area are expected to attend the event at the Divots Convention Center at the Norfolk Lodge and Suites. Several construction contractors have also been invited to attend.The stand-down is being coordinated through the Omaha Area OSHA office and will include presentations on company worksite audits, toolbox topics and other safety subjects. OSHA will speak on fall hazards, regulations, statistics, enforcement and best practices.
"Falls account for more than a third of all deaths in the construction industry," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "One fall can cost an employer their business and a worker their life. Every person participating in these events is showing their commitment to preventing a senseless loss of life and livelihood."
The stand-down is part of OSHA's ongoing Fall Prevention Campaign, which was started in 2012 and was developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program.
WHO: Jamie Backhaus, Safety and VPP Coordinator, Nucor Steel
Darwin Craig, OSHA Assistant Area Director, Omaha, Neb.
WHAT: Fall Safety Stand-Down
WHERE: Divots Convention Center, Norfolk Lodge and Suites
4200 W. Norfolk Ave.
Norfolk, NE 68701
WHEN: Monday, June 2, 2014
1 p.m. CDT OSHA Presentation
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Press interested in attending these events should contact
Scott Allen or Rhonda Burke using the contact information provided above
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