June 2-6 National Safety Stand-Down aims to reach more than 25,000 employers and 1 million workers

On June 2-6, OSHA will host a National Safety Stand-Down for Fall Prevention in Construction to raise awareness about the hazards of falls – the leading cause of death in the construction industry. During this week, employers and workers are asked to voluntarily stop work to discuss fall prevention, including topics such as safe work on roofs, ladders and scaffolds.

"Almost 300 construction workers were killed in falls in 2012. Thousands more were seriously injured," said Secretary of Labor Tom Perez in a video statement. "Now is the time to focus on this vital safety issue. The economy is on the rebound, housing starts are on the rise, and the summer construction season is getting underway."

Participation in the stand-down for safety is open to all employers — including general industry. Large and small employers across the nation have committed to participate, including U.S. Air Force facilities nationwide. This year's stand-down expects to reach more than 25,000 employers and one million workers. To learn how you can join the June stand-down, visit www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown, or check out OSHA’s regional events page to access the latest information on stand-down events taking place across the country.

New “We Can Do This” video explains the value of Injury and Illness Prevention Programs

“We Can Do This!” is a new seven-minute video developed by OSHA that explains how injury and illness prevention programs enhance workplace safety and health. An injury and illness prevention program is a systematic process that employers can use to find and fix workplace hazards before workers get hurt. Instituting these programs helps transform workplace culture and can lead to higher productivity, reduced turnover, reduced costs and greater worker satisfaction. To learn about the basic elements of these programs and how they have been implemented by many employers with dramatic results, visit OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program topics page and watch the video.

April 28, 2014 Workers' Memorial Day

In an official proclamation, President Barack Obama declared April 28, 2014, to be Workers' Memorial Day. The President called upon all Americans to participate in ceremonies and activities in memory of those killed or injured due to unsafe working conditions.

"We must never accept that injury, illness, or death is the cost of doing business. Workers are the backbone of our economy, and no one's prosperity should come at the expense of their safety. Today, let us celebrate our workers by upholding their basic right to clock out and return home at the end of each shift,” said President Barack Obama.

“America is built on the promise of opportunity... Yet each year, workplace illness and injury threaten that promise for millions of Americans, and even more tragically, thousands die on the job,” President Obama continued. “This is unacceptable. On Workers Memorial Day, we honor those we have lost, and in their memory, affirm everyone's right to a safe workplace."

Read more in the Presidential Proclamation.