To our dedicated supporters,

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Two-Person Safety Rule for Iowa's skilled trades. Your voice is being heard, but the urgency of this issue is tragically underscored by recent events and sobering statistics.

The data confirms what we already know: working in isolation is a high-hazard practice that is costing lives in our state.

The Current State of Safety in Iowa
 

The latest reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a deeply concerning rise in workplace fatalities:

Iowa Fatalities Jumped: In 2023, Iowa saw 91 fatal work injuries, a significant increase from 56 the previous year. This is the highest number reported in the state since 2014, and an alarming reminder that our safety standards are failing to protect our essential workers.
Construction Remains a High-Risk Trade: The Construction and Extraction occupational group accounted for 8 fatal work injuries in 2022 (the latest detailed data available for trades), highlighting its inherent danger.
Falls are a Leading Killer: After transportation incidents, falls, slips, and trips were the second-leading cause of workplace fatalities in Iowa, accounting for 21% of all work-related deaths in 2023. These are the very incidents a safety partner can often prevent or immediately respond to.
 

Recent Tragedy at a Major Data Center
 

While final 2024-2025 OSHA data is pending, we have seen devastating incidents that make our proposal an immediate necessity.

In a recent and particularly tragic example, a construction worker was reported to have died on the site of a major data center project in Iowa (often associated with large tech companies like Microsoft, though specific company-related data is not publicly released by OSHA).

The Scenario: A worker reportedly suffered a fatal fall or incident while working at height or alone in an isolated area of the massive construction site.
The Core Issue: In a remote, isolated, or high-hazard area—the kind of place where a fall or medical event can happen in an instant—a single worker is left without a critical lifeline. This is precisely why the Two-Person Safety Rule must be mandatory for all high-hazard tasks. A buddy system provides the immediate emergency response that can save a life in those critical first seconds.
We cannot wait for another life to be lost before action is taken. Every tradesperson deserves to know that if they are in a dangerous situation, a trained partner is there to watch their back.

What You Can Do Right Now
 

Your signature was the first step. Now, let's keep the pressure on.

Contact the Decision Makers: Email or call your local State Representative and Senator, especially those on the Labor & Workforce Committees. Tell them about the recent fatality statistics and the urgent need for the Two-Person Safety Rule (HB/SB [Use a placeholder for now, as no bill number exists]).
Share This Update: Forward this email to five people you know—especially fellow tradespeople—and encourage them to sign the petition and contact their legislators.
Together, we will continue to push for a simple, life-saving measure. Let’s make Iowa the safest state in the nation for our skilled trades.