Ground Safety partners with OSHA, NIOSH to prevent fall mishaps Published July 28, 2014 By Air Force Safety Center Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Activities of the Air Force Fall Protection Awareness Week, June 2-6, drew accolades from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. According to Air Force Chief of Ground Safety Bill Parsons, more than 2,000 safety professionals along with commanders and supervisors worldwide focused Airmen's attention on fall prevention measures and requirements throughout the week. "Any loss of life or severe injury from preventable falls is inexcusable," Parsons said. "These mishaps, on and off duty, are almost always avoided when we follow Air Force training and guidance." To direct attention to fall prevention measures and hazards, ground safety personnel created a Fall Protection Pocket Guide, posters, videos, radio and television public service announcements, as well as a featured message on the Air Force LeaveWeb website. "Most significantly," Parsons said, "safety professionals across the Air Force spent the week visiting jobsites, conducting fall protection audits and using those opportunities during the audits to conduct training." From 2004 to 2013, falls resulted in seven fatalities among Air Force personnel, five permanent partial disabilities and one permanent total disability. The fall mishaps that resulted in disabilities led to 564 lost workdays and more than $3.8M in injury costs. The Ground Safety Division managed the Fall Protection Awareness Week program as a supplement to the Critical Days of Summer campaign and in support of OSHA and NIOSH's National Fall Safety Stand Down. Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels, and Principal Associate Director of NIOSH Dr. Christine Branch praised the Air Force's partnership in support of National Fall Safety Stand Down and the service's ongoing commitment to fall prevention.