National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction Occurs on May 6-10, 2024
The annual initiative aims to reduce fatalities in the construction industry.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Apr 29, 2024
The 11th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction runs May 6 to 10, 2024. This OSHA-led initiative seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of falls from height. Fall protection—particularly common in construction—has topped the agency’s list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for 13 consecutive years.
During the weeklong observance, construction companies are encouraged to halt work briefly and engage in activities such as toolbox talks, safety equipment inspections, rescue planning exercises and discussions on job-specific hazards. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Safety Council are all participating partners.
“No matter the job, worker injuries and fatalities are preventable,” Thom Kramer, vice president of finance on ASSP’s Board of Directors, said in a statement. “Companies can create safe environments by using prevention through design principles, providing the right equipment and training everyone involved. It’s also a great idea to implement a fall protection program that follows our recently updated Z359.2 consensus standard.”
OSHA offers a wealth of resources for conducting a safety stand-down, including infographics, articles, publications, videos and educational materials available in both English and Spanish For more information on this year’s events, visit the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction webpage on the OSHA website.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.