NSC Stands with OSHA on Fall Safety

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 2023 National Safety Stand-down May 1-5.

Falls from elevation is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for workers after highway crashes. In 2021, 680 workers died, and in 2020 49,250 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.

Get the OSHA Stand-down poster: English or Español

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

Certificate of Participation

Employers can provide information about their Stand-down and download a Certificate of Participation following their event(s). This certificate recognizes the time and effort each organization devoted to talking about preventing falls with their crews.

OSHA appreciates any feedback on the Stand-down campaign and future outreach efforts. Please email [email protected].

Resources

OSHA offers handouts, posters, quizzes, fact sheets, stickers, t-shirts and more. OSHA also posts a list of Stand-down events being held across the country.

If you plan to host a free event open to the public, see OSHA's events page to submit the event details and contact your regional Stand-down coordinator.

For more information, check out this list of FAQs, and highlights from previous Stand-downs. The National Association of Home Builders also offers a number of fall-prevention videos

What is the National Safety Stand-down?

All Industries Can Conduct a Stand-down

It's Easy to Conduct a Stand-down

Certificate of Participation

Resources

Slips, Trips and Falls

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