Air Force Ground Safety sponsors Fall Protection Focus weeks Published May 8, 2015 By 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Air Force Ground Safety will sponsor Fall Protection Focus weeks May 4-15 to draw attention to avoidable mishaps due to falls. The initiative is a partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's campaign, National Safety Stand-Down. During fiscal years 2010-2014, falls were responsible for 7,671 Air Force injuries, including three fatalities, resulting in 44,000 lost work days at a cost of more than $30 million. Throughout the two-week focus, Air Force ground safety professionals will remind active duty, Guard, Reserve, civilians, and family members of the dangers of preventable falls. "Fall protection is not only for activities related to heights that are encountered on the job, but also includes falls that can happen because of wet floors or obstacles on a walkway," said Bill Parsons, Air Force chief of ground safety. "We want everyone to remember that preventable falls are inexcusable and that we must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and each other." The 39th Air Base Wing Safety Office will be distributing fall protection mishap prevention information to the base populace through unit safety representatives and American Forces Network Safety Spotlight radio broadcasts. "Our educational material will include fall protection mishap prevention tips for work and home. In the work environment there are [Air Force Instructions], Fall Protection Plans, job safety training, [technical orders], OHSA standards as well as other regulations and guidance that provide safety precautions and training for daily duties." said Master Sgt. Shawanda Peterson, 39th ABW ground safety manager, "There are also workplace safety inspections, supervisor inspections and checklist to ensure all procedures are being followed and personnel are protected from falls." Educational material will be provided to assist in making the fall protection focus translate from work to home life. For questions or concerns please contact the safety office at 676-7233 or 676-SAFE. For more information about fall protection visit http://www.afsec.af.mil/groundsafetydivision/fallprotection.asp