Fall Protection in Focus During Nationwide Stand-Down
OSHA’s annual National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction begins Monday, May 5. Use valuable resources from OSHA and NAHB to educate workers on fall risks and help avoid preventable injuries.
Fatalities caused by falls on jobsites continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 421 of the 1,075 construction fatalities recorded in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those deaths were preventable with the proper training, jobsite requirements and equipment.
In addition, improper fall protection is the most frequently cited OSHA violation each year for construction.
OSHA, with support from NAHB, holds a week-long stand-down to encourage construction firms to set aside time to discuss fall protection with workers. In advance of the stand-down, company managers should review their policies, training materials and equipment to make sure workers have everything they need.
Pick a specific topic to focus on — one that is relevant to the current work on the jobsite, such as scaffolding, ladder or roofing safety. Present the information to the workers, keeping it short and simple. Use visual aids or conduct hands-on demonstrations, such as how to put on a harness or inspect a ladder/scaffold.
NAHB has resources, including the video below, that can help with your stand-down.
OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training are also hosting two free webinars in advance of the stand-down:
- Get Ready for the 2025 Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction! – Tuesday, April 29, 2 p.m. ET
- How to Address “Leading Edges” and Other Barriers to the Use of Overhead Anchorage for Work at Heights – Thursday, May 1, 3 p.m. ET
Use the stand-down week to focus on fall prevention training on your job sites. Falls are the easiest accidents to mitigate, you just have to want to put safety first.
