Region 6 News Release: 13-1754-DAL
Aug. 28, 2013
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA takes its Fall Prevention Campaign to the
road with Dallas Area Rapid Transit busses to provide life-saving information
In one year 33 percent of construction fatalities in the D/FW area are related to falls

DALLAS – Using posters placed on and in Dallas Area Rapid Transit buses that proclaim "Stop falls in construction", the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced its fall prevention awareness campaign aimed at providing employers and workers with life-saving information and educational materials about working safely from heights.

According to OSHA construction fatality data from Aug. 15, 2012 to Aug. 15, 2013, 33 percent of construction fatalities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area were related to a fall while in the entire state, 31 percent of construction fatalities were related to a fall during that same period. OSHA regulations dictate that when working from heights, such as ladders, scaffolds and roofs, employers must plan projects to ensure that the job is done safely and the workers protected. Employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the correct kinds of ladders, scaffolds and safety gear. Workers also need training to understand the proper setup and safe use of specific equipment they will use to complete the job.

"The DART bus campaign is intended to raise awareness among employers and workers about common fall hazards in the construction industry, such as falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs, and how prevention can save lives," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "Falls can be prevented and lives can be saved through three simple steps: plan, provide and train."

OSHA's fall prevention campaign was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program. More information on fall protection standards and educational materials is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

Members of the public interested in more information about OSHA's fall prevention campaign, or to obtain copies of fall prevention-related publications, should contact OSHA's Dallas Area Office at 214-320-2400 or the Fort Worth Area Office at 817-428-2470.

Anyone wanting more information on how to prevent falls can scan the QR Code located on the DART bus "Stop falls in construction" campaign poster.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions exist for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.