National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Join the

National Safety
Stand-Down

To Prevent Falls in Construction

Region	States / Territories	Name	Email	Phone
1	CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT	Joseph Green	Green.Joseph@dol.gov	978-837-4470
1	CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT	Peter Barletta	Barletta.Peter@dol.gov	781-664-2904
2	NJ, NY, PR, VI	Brian Crain	Crain.Brian@dol.gov	856-596-5229
3	DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV	Isabel DeOliveira	DeOliveira.Isabel@dol.gov	215-861-4931
4	AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN	Kaylene Sherrod-Moore	SherrodMoore.Kaylene@dol.gov	678-237-0439
4	AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN	Tom Bosley	Bosley.Tom@dol.gov	678-237-0443
5	IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI	Richard Langenderfer	Langenderfer.Richard@dol.gov	312-886-6293
6	AR, LA, NM, OK, TX	Meghan Christie	Christie.Meghan@dol.gov	972-850-4196
7	IA, KS, MO, NE	Brian Wood	Wood.Brian.L@dol.gov	816-502-9034
7	IA, KS, MO, NE	Jo Beth Cholmondeley	Cholmondeley.JoBeth@dol.gov	816-502-9009
8	CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY	James Messer	Messer.James@dol.gov	406-780-0315
9	AS, AZ, CA, GU, HI, MP, NV	Todd Brady	Brady.Todd@dol.gov	702-281-6251
10	AK, ID, OR, WA	Hana Patterson	Patterson.Hana.M@dol.gov	206-757-6697
OTE	OSHA Education Centers	John Olaechea	Olaechea.John@dol.gov	847-759-7785

Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

What is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on "Fall Hazards" and reinforcing the importance of "Fall Prevention". Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards, can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company's safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall and other job hazards they see.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down. In past years, participants included commercial construction companies of all sizes, residential construction contractors, sub- 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.

Partners

OSHA is partnering with key groups to assist with this effort, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), OSHA approved State Plans, State consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE), the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.

How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down and FAQs

Companies can conduct a Safety Stand-Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity such as conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a stand-down that works best for their workplace anytime. See Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful "Stand-Down" and Highlights from the Past Stand-Downs. OSHA also hosts an Events page with events that are free and open to the public to help employers and employees find events in your area.

If you plan to host a free event that is open to the public, you may contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinator.

Certificate of Participation

Employers were able to provide feedback about their Stand-Down and download a Certificate of Participation (English and Spanish) following the Stand-Down.

If you want to share information with OSHA on your Safety Stand-Down, Fall Prevention Programs or suggestions on how we can improve future initiatives like this, please send your email to oshastanddown@dol.gov. Also share your Stand-Down story on social media, with the hashtag: #StandDown4Safety.