Fall Protection Awareness Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaylee Clark
  • 19th Airlift Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Team Little Rock members can drive by the Temporary Lodging Facility today and see construction workers properly harnessed and tethered as they repair the roof.

Fall protection safety may seem like a second nature to some Airmen and contractors, due to the hazards of their job, but to others it may not. The fact is falls are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths.

Air Force Ground Safety has designated June 2-6 as Fall Protection Awareness Week. The focus is in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Occupational Safety and Health Administration's "National Safety Stand-Down."

A safety stand-down is a voluntary event for employers to speak directly with employees about safety. This year's focus is on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of fall prevention.

The 19th Airlift Wing Ground Safety personnel will be placing emphasis on 19th AW's fall protection program by discussing fall protection with work center personnel and checking unit fall protection programs.

Military services must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floors and walls.

The Department of Defense has experienced several fatalities and serious injuries due to falls from heights over the past few years.

From 2004 to 2013, falls accounted for seven fatalities and injuries resulting in a disability leading to 564 lost workdays costing more than $3.8 million.

The two most recent fatal mishaps were due to falls from roofs, both from heights of approximately 12 feet.

"Supervisors should take time to review program requirements and equipment with their personnel," said Richard Myers, 19th Airlift Wing Ground Safety manager.

You can find more information from OSHA at www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown.