OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction takes place next week, May 8-12. It’s a voluntary event during which employers are asked to take a break – or “stand down” – and have a conversations with their workers about fall hazards and fall prevention. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall hazards they see on the job.

Falls are leading cause of construction deaths

Why is this laser-focus on fall prevention necessary? Fatalities caused by falls from elevation have long been and remain the leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 350 of the 937 construction fatalities recorded in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data). 

Those deaths were preventable. 

The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) is one of the organizations supporting the Stand-Down.

"Working with our federal and association partners, we aim to raise awareness of workplace health and safety through increased dialogue between employers and employees,” said AIHA president Steven E. Lacey, PhD, CIH, CSP. “If you haven't already planned an event at your work site, there's still time." 

OSHA has a host of resources for employers, included pdfs like the ones below that can be downloaded quickly, for last-minute planners:

• Fall Protection in Construction (PDF).
• Protecting Roofing Workers (PDF).
• Falling Off Ladders Can Kill: Use Them Safely - Booklet (PDF). EPUB and MOBI
• NIOSH Ladder safety phone app (English and Spanish)
• Ladder Jack Scaffolds Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Construction Industry
• Fall Protection in Residential Construction

Who should participate in the Stand-Down?

In past years, participants have 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.

The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is co-sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 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 Engineers (ASSE), the National Safety Council (NSC), the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE), the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.

Click here for more information about the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.