Safety Stand-Down events seek to raise awareness, reduce injuries and fatalities suffered by landscaping workers in the Southeast

Who: The Associated General Contractors of Georgia Employers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

What: The contractor industry association, employers and government are jointly sponsoring a one-hour Safety Stand-Down to focus and educate workers about hazards that commonly cause injury or death in the landscaping industry. Employers will voluntarily stop work on one of the designated days and conduct safety training on injury prevention with workers at risk of falls and being crushed or hit by objects, two leading causes of deaths. Many workers are also exposed to electrical hazards when performing these work activities. Since June 2012, there have been 34 fatalities in the Southeast.

When: April 8-10 from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT.

Quote: "With three fatalities in the landscaping industry already in 2015, this safety stand-down comes at a critical time," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's regional administrator for the Southeast. "This event will raise awareness to identify and eliminate work-related hazards in the Southeast and more workers will return home at the end of their workday."

Background: An informational flier and toolbox in English and Spanish are available from the Associated General Contractors of Georgia. Additional information can also be found at the OSHA website https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/landscaping/index.html. For more information, contact Billie Kizer, acting assistant regional administrator for enforcement programs at (678) 237-0400, or your local OSHA Area Office.

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.