A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety.

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.

Here are some suggestions from OSHA:

  1. Try to start early. Designate a coordinator to organize the stand-down. If you have multiple work sites, identify the team that will lead the stand-down at each site.
  2. Think about asking your subcontractors, owner, architects, engineers, or others associated with your project to participate in the stand-down.
  3. Consider reviewing your fall prevention program. This will help provide a more effective stand-down.
    1. What types of falls could happen:
      • Falls from ladders
      • Falls from a roof
      • Falls from a scaffold
      • Falls down stairs
      • Falls from a structural steel
      • Falls through a floor or roof opening
      • Falls through a fragile roof surface
    2. What needs improvement? Is your program meeting its goals? Are you experiencing fatalities, injuries, or near misses? Are employees aware of the company's fall protection procedures?
    3. What training have you provided to your employees? Does it need revision?
    4. What equipment have you provided to your employees? Is better equipment available?
  4. Develop presentations or activities that will meet your needs. Decide what information will be best for your workplace and employees. The meeting should provide information to employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Hands-on exercises (a worksite walkaround, equipment checks, etc.) can increase retention.
  5. Decide when to hold the stand-down and how long it will last. Decide if the stand-down will take place over a break, a lunch period, or some other time.
  6. Promote the stand-down. Try to make it interesting to employees. Some employers find that serving snacks increases participation.
  7. Hold your stand-down. Try to make it positive and interactive. Let employees talk about their experiences and encourage them to make suggestions.
  8. Follow up. If you learned something that could improve your fall prevention program, consider making changes.