OSHA STAND DOWN – JOIN THE NATIONAL SAFETY STAND-DOWN THIS WEEK

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 Professionals (ASSP), 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 and FAQs

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 anytime. See Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful “Stand-Down” and Highlights from the Past Stand-Downs. 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 Events page 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 Us

If you want to share information with OSHA on your Safety Stand-Down, Fall Prevention Programs or suggestions on how we can improve future initiatives like this, please send your email to oshastanddown@dol.gov. Also share your Stand-Down story on social media, with the hashtag: #StandDown4Safety.

Resources for Employers and Employees

OSHA’s Falls Prevention Campaign Page (en español)

• Campaign Fact Sheet: English (PDF) Spanish (PDF), Polish (PDF) and Russian (PDF)
• Campaign Poster: English (PDF). Spanish (PDF)
• Fall Prevention Wallet Card English (PDF). Spanish (PDF). Portuguese (PDF)

Fall Prevention Training Guide

A Lesson Plan for Employers (PDF) (EPUB | MOBI). Spanish (PDF) (EPUB | MOBI).

Fall Prevention Publications

Webpage contains fall prevention materials in English and Spanish.

• Fall Protection in Construction (PDF).
• Protecting Roofing Workers (PDF).

Ladder Safety Guidance

• Falling Off Ladders Can Kill: Use Them Safely – Booklet (PDF). EPUB and MOBI
• Safe Use of Extension Ladders – Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Safe Use of Job-made Wooden Ladders – Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Safe Use of Stepladders – Fact Sheet (PDF)
• NIOSH Ladder safety phone app (English and Spanish)

Scaffolding

• Ladder Jack Scaffolds Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Narrow Frame Scaffolds Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Tube and Coupler Scaffolds – Erection and Use Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Tube and Coupler Scaffolds – Planning and Design Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Scaffolding Booklet (PDF)
• OSHA Scaffold eTool

Additional Educational Materials

• Construction Industry
• Fall Protection in Residential Construction
• OSHA Alliance Program Toolbox talks and Training products
  • Aerial Devices and Elevating Equipment
  • Fall Protection
  • Ladder Safety

Additional Fall Prevention Materials in Spanish (español)

• Latino Worker Safety Center (LWSC).
  • Fall Protection Refresher – Tool Box Talk (Repaso – Protección contra caídas en español).
  • Fall Protection Chat (Charla sobre seguridad contra caídas en la Construcción).
  • Struck-by Chat (Charla sobre seguridad contra ser golpeado).
• Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) (Transcript)

Stand-Down Partner Materials

• CPWR: Stop Construction Falls: contains educational and training tools including the fatality map.
  • One Stop Stand-Down Shop – Materials you need to conduct a stand-down. Place your order for free Hardhat stickers and Hazard Alert cards.
• NIOSH: National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction
  • Infographics by NIOSH, CPWR, and NORA
• National Safety Council
  • Ladder Safety
  • Safety+Health Articles on Fall Prevention
  • NSC Construction & Utilities Division
    • Safety at Heights Resources: Falls from height is the second-leading unintentional fatal workplace event. The resources includes Fall Protection When Performing Aerial Work on Wood Poles; Safety Around Drilled Holes – Pier or Direct Embed Foundations; Guide to Selecting Fall Protection Systems for Bridge Work.
• ASSP: American Society of Safety Professionals
  • Free Learning Resources

Outreach Training Materials

• Susan Harwood Training Grant materials for Fall Prevention: Webpage contains more than 40 projects in fall prevention produced under Susan Harwood Training Grant from OSHA.
• Roadway Work Zone Safety – ARTBA
  • Preventing Swing Falls in Bridge Work
  • Selecting Lanyards and Connectors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems in Bridge Work
  • Fall Hazards Quiz

Fall Safety Videos

• OSHA Prevention Videos (v-Tools): Construction Hazards
• California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE)
  • Solar Industry
  • Skylights
• The Worker’ Compensation Board of British Columbia, Canada (WorkSafeBC)
  • Falls from Formwork
  • Fall Protection Can Save Your Life