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Air Force Occupational Safety sponsors Fall Protection Focus Weeks

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Clinton Hammons
  • 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office
Air Force Occupational Safety will sponsor Fall Protection Focus weeks May 2-13 to draw attention to avoidable mishaps due to falls.

During calendars years 2011-2015, falls were responsible for 6,724 Air Force injuries that resulted in 42,539 lost work days at a cost of nearly $65 million.

Throughout the Fall Protection focus period, Air Force Occupational Safety professionals will remind active duty, Guard, Reserve, civilians, and family members of the dangers of preventable falls.

"Prevention of fall-related injuries and fatalities through education and awareness keeps our Airmen mission-ready," said Bill Parsons, Air Force Chief of Occupational Safety. "Fall-related injuries result not only from activities involving heights. Falls occur more commonly on wet surfaces or stumbles over obstacles in walkways. Most falls are preventable if we follow the appropriate safety guidelines and focus on basic safety practices."

For more information about fall protection contact 319th Air Base Wing Occupational Safety at 747-3367 or visit www.afsec.af.mil/occupationalsafetydivision/fallprotection.asp.