6,670 participate across 79 DPR jobsites and 18 offices in OSHA National Safety Stand-Down to raise awareness of fall prevention

Yo me paro por. I stand down. No matter the language, the message is the same.
On May 4, 6,670 participants at 79 DPR jobsites and 18 regional offices—across multiple time zones—took part in the effort to raise awareness of fall prevention in the construction industry, as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) second annual National Safety Stand-Down.

FALL PREVENTION AWARENESS

During this year’s OSHA safety campaign, DPR participants were asked: “Why do you stand down?”

While locations and projects differed—from a healthcare interior build-out to a new corporate campus—the common reason found among responses was simply: To send people safely home to their families every day.

SAFETY TIPS

Proper planning and safety training, such as the following practical tips, were shared to help in the prevention of falls:

• Use the “three point rule” upon entering and existing heavy equipment. When climbing up or down, always have at least three points of contact at all times (i.e., two feet and one hand, two hands and one foot).
• Use all steps and handrails provided.
• Inspect and clean steps and handrails that can become slippery from rain, ice and snow.
• One of the most important tips: Take your time.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

While safety is the primary filter incorporated into all activities in the field, according to Rodney Spencley of DPR, it is the integration of safety, quality and productivity that creates one holistic approach to construction that can greatly benefit the flow of a project.

“When the entire team adopts a mindset that combines safety, quality and productivity and then executes work correctly, properly and safely, they consistently meet or beat their schedules with less rework in the field,” said Spencley. “It’s about removing silos and creating opportunities for engagement at all levels from the very beginning all the way through the end of the project.”