PARK RIDGE, IL — The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) is introducing a new workplace safety education series called “Stand Up for Standards” that debuts May 10 with a live two-hour webinar on fall protection. ASSP is a global leader in the development of occupational safety and health standards, helping safety professionals help their employers minimize on-the-job risks.

“Stand Up for Standards – ANSI/ASSP Fall Protection and Fall Restraint Implementation and Impact for OSH Professionals” will address the Z359 standards and the implementation and synergy on worksites in many industries. Fall protection experts Thomas Kramer, P.E., CSP, Dan Henn and Don Hurley, CSP, will share insights, practical guidance and valuable resources to help safety professionals develop a better understanding of the standards and how they complement those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Working at height is a hazardous job that exposes workers to a variety of risks such as falls through roofs and floor openings, and falls caused by a structure collapse,” Kramer said. “We will cover key requirements in the standards while discussing best practices for implementation on the job.”

The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session. Attendees will receive all standards in the Z359 fall protection code and be better equipped to help their organizations prevent fall-related hazards.

Safety professionals should register online for this first event of the new series, which is expected to feature a different standards-related topic every quarter.

Voluntary national consensus standards provide the latest expert guidance and fill gaps where federal regulations don’t exist. Companies rely on them to drive improvement and injury prevention. With regulatory requirements being slow to change and often out of date, compliance is not sufficient to protect workers.

ASSP’s broad collection of new and revised standards focuses on fall protection, psychological safety and health, construction and demolition operations, and prevention through design. In addition to implementing safety and health standards, employers are encouraged to regularly conduct workplace risk assessments, which are effective in combatting many safety and health issues across all industries.

ASSP’s new online education series comes on the heels of the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction that takes place May 1-5. The campaign is led by OSHA, which encourages construction companies to join the weeklong observance by promoting awareness, training and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat one of the industry’s greatest risks.

“Falls from height are the leading cause of death for construction workers,” Kramer said. “But no matter the task, workplace fatalities are preventable. These tragedies can and should be avoided.”

In participating in the stand-down, companies can briefly stop work and present a toolbox talk or conduct another safety activity such as an equipment inspection, rescue planning exercise or discussion of job-specific hazards. OSHA offers resources for conducting a safety stand-down, including infographics and articles about construction risks and fall protection; publications about ladder safety; fall safety videos; and free learning resources.

ASSP encourages organizations and safety professionals to use #StandDown4Safety in social media posts to help spread valuable recommendations during the five-day observance, which coincides with National Construction Safety Week and has helped train 10 million workers on fall prevention since its inception in 2014.

About ASSP – Working together for a safer, stronger future
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Professionals has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of 35,000 professionals covers all industries, developing safety and health management systems that prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. ASSP advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.assp.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media contact: Blaine Krage, 847.768.3416, bkrage@assp.org