OSHA and several key partners are teaming up to host a National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This event is scheduled for May 5-9, 2025, across the country and aims to raise awareness of fall hazards. Its efforts seek to stop fall fatalities and injuries.
What Is a Safety Stand-down?
A safety stand-down is a voluntary event for employers to speak directly with employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to discuss safety, fall hazards and the importance of fall prevention. Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards can also use this time to converse with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. The event can also provide an opportunity for employees to speak to management about fall risks and other job hazards they witness or encounter.
Who Can Participate in This Stand-down?
Anyone can participate in the stand-down. In past years, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, subcontractors 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. Essentially, stand-downs are for any party seeking to prevent hazards in the workplace.
How Is a Safety Stand-down Conducted?
There is no set way for employers to conduct a safety stand-down. Companies can conduct them by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or engaging in another safety activity, such as inspecting safety equipment, developing rescue plans or discussing job-specific hazards. The following are suggestions for preparing for a successful stand-down:
- Start early, designate a coordinator to organize the stand-down and identify the team that will lead each site’s stand-down if there are multiple sites.
- Review the existing fall prevention program, including what types of falls could happen (e.g., those from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, stairs, structures or through roofs or floor), what needs improvement, and what training and equipment is available.
- Develop presentations and activities with safety information and hands-on exercises.
- Determine the best time and place for the stand-down. There isn’t a set amount of time a safety stand-down must take, so employers should plan a safety stand-down for a time that best suits their workplace.
- Promote the stand-down within the organization and find ways to incentivize participation (e.g., providing snacks).
- Conduct the stand-down, making it positive and open to discussion and suggestions.
- Seek feedback on the event and consider changes for future stand-downs.
OSHA also has various English and Spanish fall prevention resources available on its webpage.
What Are the Next Steps?
Employers do not need to “register” to participate in the National Safety Stand-down. Additionally, employers who elect to participate in the National Safety Stand-down can share feedback about their stand-down and download a certificate of participation following the event. OSHA also posts events that are free and open to the public to help employers and employees locate events in their areas.
Conclusion
Employers have a responsibility to keep their workers safe and protect them from fall hazards. By participating in the National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction, employers can demonstrate their commitment to this duty and provide essential safety information to their employees.
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