Safety and Health Week: May 6-11, 2024
Today marks the start of Safety and Health Week (May 6-11) and the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction (May 6-10). By participating in Safety and Health Week and the Safety Stand-Down, we can collectively reinforce our commitment to creating a safer work environment for all IATSE workers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls from elevation continue to be the leading cause of death among construction workers, accounting for 395 of the 1069 fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness to stop fall fatalities and injuries. Participate in one of the following webinars to learn how you can prevent hazards in the workplace:
Beyond Fall Prevention Planning: Being Prepared for Fall Rescue: Tuesday, May 7 at 2 p.m. ET. This webinar is hosted by The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), NIOSH, and OSHA and will provide participants with information about rescue planning, including sharing resources and templates for tailoring plans to each jobsite. Register here.
Understanding Situational Awareness: Wednesday, May 8 at 1 p.m. ET. Join the IATSE Education Department and Disaster Response Committee for a webinar on Understanding Situational Awareness. The webinar will explore topics like what is situational awareness, the importance of situational awareness on the job, and how principles of situational awareness can be applied during any crisis. Register here.
2024 National Fall Prevention Campaign webinar in Spanish: Wednesday, May 8 at 2 p.m. ET. This webinar is hosted by The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), NIOSH, and OSHA. Register here.
How to Create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP): Thursday, May 9 at 1 p.m. ET. Recommit yourself to safety! Join the IATSE Education Department, the IATSE Disaster Response Committee, and the IATSE Training Trust Fund for tips and resources to help create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for your local union, training facility, and more. Register here.
During Safety and Health Week and the Safety Stand-Down, local unions can organize events to support creating a safer workplace. Hold an ergonomics awareness training using the TTF Safety First! curriculum, distribute The Event Safety Guide to workers, or apply to Borrow Our OSHA Trainer – the possibilities are endless. Check out these blogs on preventing falls in workplaces for tools and resources:
U.S Department of Labor(DOL) Blog: Taking a Stand to Prevent Falls
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Science Blog: The Problem of Falls from Elevation in Construction and Prevention Resources
These are some additional resources the IATSE Training Trust Fund offers to support workplace safety:
OSHA Courses: OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour courses provide training for workers on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in workplaces. We offer OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour General Industry and Construction distance learning and in-person classes with a focus on the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry follows both the General Industry and Construction rules and regulations. You can learn more about which course best suits your craft and apply for an upcoming class here.
OSHA Online Course Reimbursement: If you can’t attend one of our scheduled classes, you could take a 10-hour or 30-hour General Industry or Construction course through one of the approved OSHA-Authorized Online Outreach Training Providers listed on OSHA’s website. After you obtain your OSHA completion card, you can apply for reimbursement.
TTF Safety First! Fall Prevention and Protection Online Course: This online course provides an overview of fall prevention and fall protection safe practices while working on the ground or at heights. Topics covered include housekeeping; slips and trips; the hierarchy of controls; ladder safety; travel restraint and fall arrest systems; and specifics related to elevated work platforms, rigging, and scaffold safety. The TTF Safety First! © courses are one of many libraries available with a TTF Courses & Resources Learning Platform account.