14
MAY 6-10
SAFETY STAND-DOWN A SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR EMPLOYERS TO TALK DIRECTLY TO EMPLOYEES ABOUT SAFETY
Did you know thirty percent of all construction fatalities in Washington state are caused from falls? And a worker is four times more likely to fall from a ladder? According to a 15-year study, 52 percent of the 63 deaths during this time frame occurred on a residential construction site. Of those fatalities, one in five involved a fall from a ladder less than 10 feet. Member participants in BIAW’s retrospective ratings group program, R.O.I.I. ® Select, also experienced a high rate of ladder-related injuries during the 2017-2018 plan year. These injuries amounted to over $2.3 million in claim costs, with the average being just over $20,000 per claim.
PREVENTABLE INJURIES
So, how can you help prevent these types of injuries from happening on your job site? BIAW members are encouraged to participate in the National Safety Stand-
Weekly safety meetings are good opportunity to promote new ideas or reinforce safe working habits.
Down the week of May 6-10. So what is Safety Stand-Down? It’s when you take a break from normal work activities so your crew can focus on a particular safety topic—such as ladder safety. The objective is to help break potentially unsafe habits and create better awareness in order to reduce injury and risk of death. Oftentimes older workers can become set in their ways and newer workers may not be as experienced
BUILDING INSIGHT BIAW.com
3 Simple Ladder-Safety Rules Inspect ladder before each use
Make sure workers take time to inspect ladders before each use. Fiberglass ladders can become brittle over time due to age, sun damage, or vibration and jarring on unpadded truck ladder racks. Make sure damaged ladders are destroyed or taken out of service and not accessible to employees. Make sure ladder is secure Take a second to consider if the ladder is in a secure position at the top and bottom and set up at the right angle. Employ “hands free” method while using ladder State law does not allow workers to carry materials while ascending or descending a ladder unless they have both hands free. Never pack a load up a ladder without three points of contact at all times on ladder rungs. in the proper training. Stand-Down activities can range from a short “toolbox” talk to scheduled, full-day events. You pick what’s right for your company. Find more information on the national campaign at: https://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/index.html. Or the Department of Labor & Industries’ campaign at: https://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AToZ/StandDown/ default.asp?T=About
