EMPOWER YOUR TEAM: Free Toolkit for Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction

Fall prevention training is critical to maintaining the safety of your construction company.

Did you know that fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees?

Falls comprise about 16% of all workers’ compensation claims and account for about 25% of the total costs associated with workers’ compensation claims.

The good news is that your company does not have to be part of this statistic. As an employer, especially in the construction industry, you can cultivate a culture of safety for your employees.

While accidents happen and you cannot control every aspect of a construction site, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents, especially falls. It starts with conducting a successful safety stand-down, which involves all employees, contractors, and subcontractors.

This May 5-9, 2025, is OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This event is voluntary; anyone can participate (not just construction companies), and you don’t need to register to participate. It is a great time to revisit or implement new safety measures for your team, large or small. Plus, participating employers who give feedback about their Stand-Down may be able to download a Certificate of Participation (English and Spanish) following the event. Psst…if your business already received a Certificate of Participation in the past, it’s a good idea to participate again. In doing so, you are communicating a top-level commitment to safety to your employees.

Here’s more guidance about safety stand-downs, plus a free toolkit to get you started:

What is a safety stand-down?

A safety stand-down is a workplace event during which all team members voluntarily pause operations to discuss specific safety topics, such as fall prevention, hazard recognition, and protective measures. Employers can share OSHA standards and real-world applications during a stand-down to motivate team members to adopt safety standards and promptly inform the leadership of any hazards or issues. As OSHA notes, it can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about falls and other job hazards they see.

What is the purpose of a safety stand-down?

The purpose of a safety stand-down is simple: to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities. 

How can employers start implementing a safety stand-down?

There are a few ways to approach a safety stand-down, from providing a 15-minute toolbox talk to a weeklong training.

In our National Safety Stand-down Toolkit (grab your free copy here!), we provide:

• A Construction Industry Fall Protection Safety Program
• Safety Stand-down FAQs
• Ways to Prepare for a Successful Stand-down
• Information about the National Safety Stand-down
• Toolbox talks to help prevent falls
• Posters to help bring awareness to the stand-down and more

This free toolkit is a valuable resource that will help you further a culture of safety within your organization. In the meantime, please get in touch with us with any questions about risk management, workplace safety and wellness, workers’ compensation, and more. We are here for your business.

-Team FOA