The ninth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, which takes place on 2-6 May, aims to raise awareness of hazards across the country in an effort to halt the rate of fall fatalities and injuries.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of fatal injuries among construction workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that falls from elevation accounted for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2020.

OSHA is encouraging construction employers and other stakeholders to promote awareness of and training on fall prevention, which can include a toolbox talk or a safety activity such as developing rescue plans, conducting safety equipment inspections or discussing job-specific hazards. Workers can take the opportunity to share fall or other job hazards with their managers.

“Workers suffer serious and fatal injuries from falls and have a devastating impact on families and businesses,” noted Jim Frederick, OSHA’s acting administrator and deputy assistant secretary. “This important collaboration with the construction industry encourages employers to learn how to better control fall-related hazards and improve their safety and health programs.”

Nearly 10 million construction workers have participated in the stand-down since the campaign began in 2014, with events taking place in all 50 states and internationally.