Safety Stand-Down puts the brakes on injuries at Georgia road sites

ATLANTA — The Federal Highway Administration, the state of Georgia and local government organizations are partnering with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to sponsor a one-hour Safety Stand-Down at construction sites in Georgia in conjunction with National Highway Work Zone Awareness Week from March 23-27.

Employers will voluntarily stop work on one designated day at construction sites that week from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT to provide work zone safety training to road workers so they can protect themselves from the dangers of distracted drivers and injuries caused by passing vehicles, flying debris and other objects. Objects and vehicles striking workers are a leading cause of road construction-related deaths.

"This alliance is about the mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who died on-the-job because a driver was distracted by a text message, a phone call or other activity," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's regional administrator for the Southeast. "This event will help employers identify hazards and how employees can avoid them and remind the industry of the importance of safety in these work zones."

The Stand-Down is being organized by the Georgia Struck-By Alliance, which includes OSHA; the Associated General Contractors of Georgia Inc.; 3M Visibility & Insulation Solutions; Georgia Department of Transportation; the Federal Highway Administration's Georgia Division; and the Georgia Highway Contractors Association. It also includes the Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc.; the Association County Commissioners of Georgia; Georgia Tech Research Institute; Lamar Advertising; Georgia Power; Pike Corporation; Ansco & Associates LLC; and the National Safety Council, Georgia Chapter.

An informational flier and toolbox in English and Spanish are available from the Associated General Contractors of Georgia. 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 Robert Vazzi in the Savannah Area Office at 912-652-4393.

Through the agency's Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses.

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 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.