Washington — The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is set to begin May 5, coinciding with Construction Safety Week.
During the weeklong event, employers are encouraged to pause work to talk with workers about fall hazards and prevention. OSHA partners with several organizations on the stand-down, including NIOSH, the National Safety Council and CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training.
“Since launching in 2012, millions of workers and thousands of employers have participated in stand-down events,” NSC says.
Recommended stand-down activities include:
- Toolbox talks on ladder, scaffold and roof safety
- Safety equipment demonstrations
- Performing safety inspections
- Hazard recognition walks
- Training sessions
- Sharing safety videos and on-the-job stories
Slips, trips and falls were the leading cause of death in the construction industry in 2023 (the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data available), accounting for 421 of the 1,075 fatalities in the industry, or nearly 40%.
Overall, 725 workers died from falls to a lower level in 2023, according to Injury Facts – an online source of preventable death and injury statistics compiled by NSC.
OSHA has information on stand-down events by state and a way to submit event details online.
“The national safety stand-down reminds us that every fall is preventable and every worker deserves to go home safely,” NSC President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin said. “We urge all employers, regardless of size or industry, to join this important event and reinforce a culture where safety is a value held by all.”
The council published a blog post on technology tools that employers and workers can use to help prevent falls.
