OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is just around the corner—May 6th through the 10th. This time of year has a special focus around construction safety, but it’s something that we concentrate on every single day. Fall protection in particular is given special attention because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls from elevation are the leading source of fatalities among construction workers. In fact, the BLS statistics show that between 2011 and 2016, there was a 45% increase in fatal falls in the private construction industry. By properly educating and properly equipping team members, we can prevent these fatalities.
Haselden’s Fall Protection Training Tower
For nearly a year, we’ve been using our fall protection and rescue training tower. This portable, 18-foot tower can be taken to where our team members are and used for hands-on training with the same equipment they will use in the field. Over the past year, we have conducted over 20 fall protection classes using the tower! Classes are held in both English and Spanish, allowing for maximum comprehension of the systems being used.
We Take Fall Protection Seriously
The tower has been utilized to train our team of supervisors (superintendents and assistant superintendents) on fall protection and fall rescue training techniques, as well as to train new hires who wear fall protection on the job. All Haselden team members hired within the last year who wear fall protection have been trained by certified competent fall protection trainers on Haselden-specific fall protection requirements and techniques.
Training includes how use a variety of equipment such as harnesses, lanyards, retractables, anchor points, and rescue equipment. After first inspecting the equipment—learning to properly do so is part of the training—the team member puts on the harness, climbs the tower, and practices tie-off techniques and using the trauma straps. Having the opportunity to experience hanging in a harness gives our fall protection users the unique experience of applying hands-on practice in a controlled environment prior to working in the field.
Education & Experience
Education—both in the classroom and hands-on—is imperative to creating a safe working environment. We provide mandatory NCCER-accredited training for all new team members, OSHA 30-hour certification for our supervisors, and a “Safety Bootcamp” for non-craft/construction team members that are new to the industry. Our in-person training and our training videos are presented in both Spanish and English, ensuring a thorough understanding of safety practices.
To easily keep track of and identify team members’ training and qualifications, our Safety team created a system using QR code stickers on hard hats. Each individual has a unique QR code associated with their that is continuously updated with their current safety training, equipment they are qualified to operate, etc. A quick snap of the QR code on your phone shows the person’s photo and this information.
Stand-Down 2019
Haselden job sites will be taking part in this year’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction by holding our own site-wide safety meetings/stand-downs focused on fall protection and fall prevention the week of May 6th. We hope our subcontractor partners and other general contractors will join us in helping OSHA raise fall hazard awareness.
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