Join the Campaign to Prevent Construction Falls

Take part in the 2022 National Safety Stand-Down May 2–6

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Falls are the leading cause of workplace deaths among construction workers. In 2020, there were 368 construction worker deaths from falls out of 1,008 total construction deaths (BLS 2021). Learn more about how you can host a National Safety Stand-Down event at your worksite. Together let’s prevent ALL falls in construction!

All falls can be prevented. Falls happen when construction workers lack the right safety equipment or knowledge and training to prevent them. In the construction industry, roofers, immigrant workers, and older workers, as well as those working for small contractors, are most affected. Some work conditions have higher rates of falls. Three in five fatal falls happen to workers under a subcontractor, while only one in five fatal falls happen to workers under a general contractor. Fatal falls are more likely to happen to workers who have had less training and who have fewer protections. Hispanic workers make up one-third of the construction workforce. In 2020, 250 members of this workforce died at work from falls

It’s important to provide training in the language used by workers so that all workers have an equal chance of returning home safely at the end of the day. Employers also need to plan for risk, provide personal protection equipment, and enforce the proper use of fall protection.

National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction

In 2012 the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Construction Sector Council launched the National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction with leadership from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA). The yearlong campaign aims to raise awareness on how to prevent fall injuries and deaths in construction. Each year, the campaign brings the industry together for a week of intense focus on how to prevent falls in construction.

National Safety Stand-Downs

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From May 2–6, the campaign sponsors a weeklong National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Constructionexternal icon­­. Safety stand-downs typically involve a wide range of fall prevention activities. The goal is for employers and workers to pause work and have a conversation about fall hazards and ways to prevent them. Throughout the Safety Stand-Down week, employers are invited to host individual safety stand-downs to educate workers on preventing construction falls through toolbox talks, demonstrations, and trainings.

Thousands of companies have held fall safety stand-downsexternal icon, reaching millions of workers across all 50 states and internationally! Industry and business leaders, universities, labor organizations, and community groups have all participated.

Construction employers and workers are invited to host a Safety Stand-Down or join one. Your involvement can be as simple as sharing some of our resources at your worksite. If you would like to host or join a free event that is open to the public, contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinatorexternal icon. You can find resources to host a Stand-Down and activities at our One-Stop Shopexternal icon!

Page last reviewed: March 16, 2022