AF Safety Center sponsors Fall Protection Focus weeks Published May 4, 2016 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Air Force Occupational Safety and the 66th Air Base Group Safety office here will recognize Fall Protection Focus weeks May 2 through 13 to increase awareness of fall hazards and prevent fall-related mishaps. The Fall Protection Focus initiative is a partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's campaign, "National Safety Stand-Down." "As part of this annual campaign, section supervisors are encouraged to talk directly to personnel about safety in their specific work centers," said Galen Williams, 66 ABG Safety Office director. "Supervisors are encouraged to focus on fall hazards and reinforce the important of fall prevention." The Safety Office will host a "Spring into Fall Protection" demonstration event May 12 at the Base Exchange from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each year the Air Force experiences hundreds of fall mishaps that result in thousands of lost hours as well as injuries and deaths. During fiscal years 2011-2015, the Air Force had more than 6,700 Air Force injuries from falls resulting in more than 42,500 lost workdays at a cost of more than $64.5 million. Three of those falls resulted in fatalities, including one right here at Hanscom. During this period, Hanscom AFB experienced 54 injuries from falls resulting in 310 lost workdays at a cost of more than $616,000. "Fall protection is not only for activities related to heights, but also includes falls that can happen because of wet floors or obstacles on a walkway," said Williams. "We must carefully plan and prepare the necessary steps to protect our personnel, specifically those who are exposed to hazards dealing with heights and to enable them to have an accident-free workplace." Throughout the two-week Fall Protection Focus, officials will be reminding all active duty, Guard, Reserve, Defense Department civilians that using fall protection equipment is imperative. "Supervisors can work with unit safety representatives to develop events such as a discussion, a presentation, or invite a guest speaker to highlight fall risks," Williams said. For those unable to correct the problem with the resources available, or for further information on Fall Protection Focus weeks, contact the Safety Office at 781-225-5584 or visit http://www.afsec.af.mil/occupationalsafetydivision/fallprotection.asp. For more safety information, visit the Team Hanscom Safety Office site at https://cs3.eis.af.mil/sites/24169/default.aspx.