Resources for May’s National Safety Stand-Down

In advance of the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, set for May 1-5, new tools and resources have been made available to assist workplaces in preparing for and participating in the event. 

(Photo: OSHA)

Alongside free promotional resources, handouts and hardhat stickers are available to order from the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR.) Orders must be placed by April 12. 

Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released its public service announcement in both Spanish and English.

The Stand-Down is an opportunity for employers and workers to have a conversation about training, job hazards, protective methods, speaking up about unsafe conditions and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. The Stand-Down is part of OSHA’s ongoing National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction, launched in 2012 with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, The Center for Construction Research and Training and NIOSH’s National Occupational Research Agenda. The fall prevention campaign has been working to provide resources to the construction industry to prevent falls for 12 years. Other key groups that assist in this effort include OSHA-approved State Plans, state consultation programs, the American Society of Safety Professionals, the National Safety Council and the OSHA Regional Education Centers.

(Photo: OSHA)

Falls from elevations remained the leading cause of death in 2021, accounting for 378 of the 986 construction fatalities and 680 of the 5,190 fatalities in all industries (BLS data.) The construction fatal fall figures represented an 8 percent increase from the 2020 numbers. 

Over the past nine years, tens of thousands of companies participated in Stand-Downs reaching millions of workers across all 50 states and internationally. More than 800 free public events were held in support of the Stand-Down. By continuing to reach millions of employees, OSHA hopes to decrease the number of fatalities and injuries related to falls. For more information, visit the official Stand-Down website here.