The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) encourages safety professionals and employers to raise awareness and participate in the 12th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction on May 5-9. The observance is part of a year-round campaign led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Falls from height are the leading cause of death for construction workers, with more than 300 fatalities and 20,000 serious injuries occurring each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers face risks on roofs, above floor openings and even at lower levels.
“No matter the job, worker injuries and fatalities are preventable,” said fall protection expert Thom Kramer, P.E., CSP, vice president of finance on ASSP’s Board of Directors. “Companies can create safe environments by using prevention through design principles, providing the right equipment and training everyone involved. It’s also a great idea to implement fall protection programs that follow our Z359.2 and A10.32 consensus standards.”
Companies can participate in the stand-down in many ways. They can briefly stop work and deliver a toolbox talk; perform a safety equipment inspection; conduct a rescue planning exercise; or discuss job-specific hazards. They should also ensure that workers understand the importance of proper-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) and review ASSP’s five tips for preventing heat stress on the job.
ASSP encourages the use of #StandDown4Safety in social media to share stories and recommendations during the weeklong observance, which coincides with National Construction Safety Week. It has helped train more than 10 million workers on fall prevention since its inception in 2014. Organizations of all sizes have participated over the years, including the U.S. military, highway construction companies and residential contractors.
OSHA offers several resources for conducting a safety stand-down, including training guides and fact sheets; ladder safety and scaffolding guidance; fall protection video and audio messages; and hard-hat stickers and hazard alert cards. Materials on working safely at height are available in multiple languages.
“Safety and health professionals should encourage their organizations to take an active role in the stand-down,” Kramer said. “Sharing how your company is participating may inspire others to get involved. Falls from height are typically the biggest exposure that employers face related to serious injuries and fatalities.”
Two OSHA webinars held before the stand-down will help workplaces prepare for the observance. The “Get Ready for the 2025 Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction” webinar will take place at 2 p.m. ET on April 29 to highlight an extensive library of resources. “Leading Edges and Other Barriers to the Use of Overhead Anchorage for Work at Height” is set for 2 p.m. ET on May 1 to tackle the complexities of fall protection.
OSHA’s many partners in the stand-down include ASSP, the National Safety Council, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and the National Construction Safety Executives.
