Air Force Safety Center Sponsors Fall Protection Focus Weeks

  • Published
  • By Ground Safety
  • 436 Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Air Force Ground Safety will sponsor Fall Protection Focus weeks from May 4-15. This initiative is a partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's campaign, "National Safety Stand-Down."

During fiscal years 2010-2014, the Air Force had 7,671 injuries from falls resulting in 44,000 lost work days at a cost of more than $30 million; including three fatalities.  According to OSHA, over the last 10 years, more than 3,500 workers have died from falls which remains the leading cause of death in construction and accounts for more than a third of the deaths in the industry.

Throughout the two-week focus, Air Force ground safety professionals will remind all active duty, Guard, Reserve, civilians, and family members of the dangers of preventable falls.  Ground safety personnel will visit work centers to ensure fall protection programs are in place and meet applicable guidelines and standards. 

"Fall protection and prevention is not only for activities related to heights that are encountered every day on-the-job, but also includes, for example, falls that can happen because of wet floors or obstacles on a walkway," said Bill Parsons, Air Force chief of ground safety. "We want everyone to remember that preventable falls are inexcusable and that we must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and each other."

Since 2010 Dover AFB personnel were involved in 408 mishaps. Approximately 22% of these mishaps involved slips, trips or falls which cost the 436th Airlift Wing $413,836 and resulted in 409 lost work days. Falls from stairs and ladders were the most common followed by slips on icy sidewalks. The majority of those mishaps were results of inattention or distraction and were preventable.

The 436 AW Safety Office would like to provide everyone with a few safety tips to help prevent falls.    When descending the stairs avoid some common distractions like talking on the phone, texting or reading. Members should hold onto the handrails and avoid carrying large objects when possible.  Do not skip steps while ascending and descending and place your foot properly on the tread to ensure proper balance.  Take extra precautions when stairs are wet or slippery. Report any unsafe conditions to a supervisor or facility manager and post wet floor signs when necessary. Ensure you wear proper footwear and replace your boots or shoes when the bottoms become worn.