National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction

National Construction Practice Safety Alert

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of fatalities for construction workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls accounted for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2020. The 9th Annual National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction is intended to raise fall hazard awareness across the country to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

Partners

OSHA is partnering with key groups to assist with this effort, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), OSHA approved State Plans, State consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE), the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.

What is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about falls and other job hazards they see.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. In past years, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, sub- and independent contractors, highway construction companies, general industry employers, the U.S. Military, other government participants, unions, employer’s trade associations, institutes, employee interest organizations, and safety equipment manufacturers.

How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down

Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job-specific hazards. OSHA also hosts an Events page with events that are free and open to the public to help employers and employees find events in your area. Access the CPWR’s One-Stop Stand-Down Shop for everything you need to conduct a stand-down here: One-Stop Stand-Down Shop | Stop Construction Falls.

Certificate of Participation

Employers will be able to provide feedback about their Stand-Down and download a Certificate of Participation following the Stand-Down. Find information about obtaining your certificate: National Safety Stand-Down – Prevent Falls in Construction – Certificate of Participation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov).

Posters

Posters highlighting the safety stand-down are available for free in English and Spanish:

• National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction (osha.gov)
• Participe en el evento de la Campaña Nacional de Prevención de Caídas (osha.gov)