Construction industry focuses on safety during annual ‘stand-down’

Washington – More than 2 million workers were expected to participate in OSHA’s third-annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction during the week of May 2.

The construction campaign is “the largest occupational safety event ever hosted,” according to a press release from OSHA. During a stand-down, employers stop work to discuss and demonstrate the proper ways to prevent falls, which are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.

In addition, lack of proper fall protection is the most-frequently cited violation by federal safety inspectors. In 2014, nearly 40 percent of construction deaths were related to falls, the release states.

“Our nation and our economy should not be built on the backs of fallen and injured workers,” OSHA administrator David Michaels said in the release. “The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls is an opportunity to reach millions of workers and bring employers, unions and other organizations together to show their commitment to safety and to ensure construction workers end their shift safe, healthy and ready to return home.”

OSHA developed the stand-down in partnership with NIOSH and the Center for Construction Research and Training, also known as CPWR. Available resources include a mobile app, infographics and an interactive map that shows sites of fatal falls.