Stop Falls Stand-Down week is May 6 to 10

National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction

By Mary M. Bauer, CIH, CSP, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist

What is a safety stand-down?

A safety stand-down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. National Stop Falls Safety Stand-Down is May 6 through 10.

Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “fall hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “fall prevention.” Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards, can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall and other job hazards they see.

An OSHA representative may be available to participate or attend your event. The Wisconsin area offices are listed below. The physical area office boundaries are not written in stone. You may contact myself to see if your site fits my schedule. This isn’t a ‘training’ session but more of a toolbox talk to stress the importance of fall protection and thank the crews for ensuring proper use of fall protection equipment. The sessions can be held outside the week of May 6-10^th. If an OSHA representative can attend, it is not in an enforcement mode – unless there is an obvious serious hazard. OSHA does not have to attend – you can present the tool box talk yourself or ask an ABC of WI safety manager if they can make your meeting.

Thanks for your investment in worker safety!

Wisconsin Area Offices/Area Directors:

Chad Greenwood
U. S. Dept. of Labor – OSHA
1402 Pankratz St, Suite #114
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 733-2822
OSHAMadison@dol.gov

Dustin Schnipke
U. S. Dept. of Labor – OSHA
310 W. Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 297-3315
OSHAMilwaukee@dol.gov

Robert J. Bonack
U. S. Dept. of Labor – OSHA
1648 Tri Park Way
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 734-4521
OSHAAppleton@dol.gov

Ruth (Mitzy) Wright (Area Director) – Mary Bauer Compliance Assistance Specialist
U. S. Dept. Of Labor – OSHA
1310 W. Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 832-9019
OSHAEauClaire@dol.gov or bauer.mary@dol.gov