The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will hold its annual National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falling injuries May 6-10.
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1,069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down aims to raise fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.
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 fall and other job hazards they see.
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. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime. For more information, check out these Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful "Stand-Down" and Highlights From the Past Stand-Downs. There’s also an FAQ section to read.
OSHA hosts an Events page with events that are free and open to the public to help employers and employees find events in your area. If you plan to host a free event that is open to the public, you may contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinator.
Employers will be able to provide feedback about their stand-down and download a Certificate of Participation following the event.
