Stand Down May 5-9, 2025
Join OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and
Health Administration recently announced that it has
scheduled the 12th annual National Stand-Down to
Prevent Falls in Construction for May 5-9, 2025. OSHA
encourages construction employers and other
stakeholders to join the event to promote awareness and
training to address one of the industry’s most serious
dangers.
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a
leading cause of death for construction employees,
accounting for 421 or 39% of the 1075 construction
fatalities recorded in 2023 (BLS data). Those deaths were
preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall
hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop
fall fatalities and injuries.
What is a Safety Stand-Down?
A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers
to talk directly to employees about safety. Any
workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to
focus on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of
fall prevention. Employers of companies not exposed to
fall hazards can also use this opportunity to have a
conversation with employees about the other job hazards
they face, protective methods, and the company's safety
policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for
employees to talk to management about fall and other
job hazards they see.
Who Can Participate?
Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace
can participate in the Stand-Down. In past years,
participants 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.
Partners
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.
How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down
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. Management is encouraged to plan a Stand-
Down that works best for their workplace anytime. See
Resources for Employers and Employees and National
Safety Stand-Down Highlights to assist in planning your
Stand-Down activities.
OSHA also hosts an Events page with events that are free
and open to the public to help employers and employees
find events in your area. If you plan to host a free event
that is open to the public, see OSHA's Stand-Down Event
Submission Form to submit the event details and to
contact your Regional Stand-Down Coordinator.
Certificate of Participation
Employers will be able to provide feedback about their
Stand-Down and download a Certificate of Participation
following the Stand-Down.
Share Your Story with OSHA
If you want to share information with OSHA on your
Safety Stand-Down, Fall Prevention Programs or
suggestions on how to improve future initiatives like
this, you can email oshastanddown@dol.gov. Also share
your Stand-Down story on social media,

StandDown4Safety.