AFPM Fall Prevention Week

AFPM Operational Excellence Program is excited to announce the launch of our latest initiative aimed at raising awareness of fall-related hazards, to help prevent falls and support safely working at height.

AFPM Fall Prevention Week

Beginning May 6, 2024, AFPM encourages our members to participate in the OSHA National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls. As a leading advocate for safety in the fuel and petrochemical industries, we are committed to fostering a safety culture and ensuring the well-being of all workers.

The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. According to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls consistently rank among the top causes of workplace fatalities. To help raise awareness and to help members foster productive conversations around Fall Prevention and Working at Heights, AFPM has compiled members’ resources, recognizing the importance of addressing the risks of working at heights.

The package shared each day will deliver examples of resources to raise awareness and spark discussions at your organization as your teams prepare to work at height. We will launch next week during the OSHA National Safety Stand Down to prevent Falls, May 6 – 10, 2024. Each day, we will focus on a specific lifesaving action, share related resources, questions to foster productive discussions, and some fun Kahoot quizzes to reinforce awareness.

What the Data Tells Us

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data).

In AFPM’s Incident Classification Matrix report, which focuses on the most prevalent incidents from Tier 1A – serious incidents and Tier 1p – high potential for serious incidents, Working at Heights is a top cause of incidents. According to the 2022 data, the second most common Tier 1a cause was Working at Height: Dropped Objects/Equipment – 20% of incidents. For the Tier 1p causes, Dropped Objects/Equipment is the most common causes at 20% of incidents.

Click here to learn more about the Incident Classification Matrix and to submit your company data.

2023 data submissions for companies are due May 31^st, 2024. AFPM is collecting from operating companies, and is piloting collection from the AFPM member contractor companies.

As a result of this data analysis, the AFPM Safety & Health committee created an initiative this year in conjunction with OSHA's National Safety Stand-Down in May. Each day, we will focus on one aspect of Working at Heights and share the importance of safe practices along with compiled materials that you can share within your company. This compilation of resources is a guide addressing critical aspects of working at height within our industry. Topics are based on life saving action/safeguards from IOGP’s Life Saving Rules: Working at Height. Remember, you play an important role in helping ensure a safe work environment. Join us daily and commit to the conversation:

1. Fall Protection Equipment Inspections 
2. Prevent Dropped Objects 
3. Tie off 100% approved anchor points 
4. Validate prompt rescue capability 
5. Ladder Safety

Learn more about IOGP’s Life Saving Rules here. 

All AFPM Resources can be found on the AFPM Safety Portal.