Georgia Safety Stand-Down Focuses on Winter Weather Hazards

ATLANTA, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Associated General Contractors of Georgia are partnering to sponsor a week-long campaign to reinforce the importance of workplace safety during the winter months. The cold weather Safety Stand-Down is scheduled for the week of Jan. 22-26. Events will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. EST.

Slips and falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries in the construction industry. Slick surfaces, strong winds and below-freezing temperatures present risks of serious or fatal injuries to employees who work outdoors.

During the Stand-Down, employers across Georgia are encouraged to voluntarily stop work for an hour to review best practices and train employees on cold weather-related hazards of their job, how to monitor and recognize the symptoms of cold stress, provide first aid and call for medical assistance and select proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions.

Employers can register to participate in the Stand-Down on the AGC of Georgia website. For more information, contact Christi Griffin in OSHA’s Atlanta-West area office at 678-903-7301, Bill Fulcher in the Atlanta-East area office at 770-493-6644 or Margo Westmoreland in the Savannah area office at 912-652-4393.