Over the last four years, OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction has grown to include events in 50 states and internationally (more than 150 public events in the US. alone).

Participants have 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.

In spite of these efforts fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 370 of the 991 construction fatalities recorded in 2016 (BLS data). 

OSHA is reminding employers that those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down – May 7-11 this year, will once again raise fall hazard awareness in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

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 Engineers (ASSE), the National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE), the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers.