Join the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, with support from the National Safety Council and dozens of other groups, asks employers to take a few minutes to discuss fall protection and safety when working from heights during the 2024 National Safety Stand-down May 6-10.
Falls from elevation is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for workers after highway crashes. In 2022, 700 workers died, and in 2021-22, 129,010 were injured due to falls from elevation. All of these deaths are preventable.
What is the National Safety Stand-down?
The program was originally a two-year effort, launched on Workers Memorial Day in 2012, to raise awareness of preventing fall hazards in construction. It was so successful, it continues at the start of every construction season in May. Tens of thousands of employers and millions of workers have participated.
All Industries Can Conduct a Stand-down
While construction workers are most at risk, falls can happen in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and any other industry that involves working from height. NSC and OSHA encourage workers in all industries to conduct a Stand-down. No company is too small to participate; roughly half of events nationwide are held by companies with 25 or fewer employees.
It’s Easy to Conduct a Stand-down
A Safety Stand-down can be a one-time event, or it can incorporate fall-safety events throughout the week. Managers are encouraged to plan a Stand-down that works best for their workplace:
● Conduct a toolbox talk on ladder, scaffold or roof safety
● Conduct a safety inspection along with employees
● Develop a rescue plan
● Hold a training session
● Show a safety video