How to conduct a safety stand-down

OSHA has provided suggestions for holding a stand-down event, including the following:

Determine the best time to have a stand-down at your worksite, such as first thing in the morning, during a break or at lunchtime.
Encourage subcontractors, owners, architects and project engineers to attend the stand-down event with the site workers and management team.
Review your fall prevention program, including a list of what types of falls could happen on the worksite or what training and equipment need to be provided to protect workers from falls.
Plan an agenda for the stand-down detailing information about fall hazards, prevention methods and your company's workplace safety programs with hands-on exercises, when possible.
Promote the stand-down by including the details in company newsletters, flyers, etc.
Perform follow-ups to check on adjustments and improvements after a stand-down.

Fall-related safety tips

Millions of people receive treatment for fall-related injuries in emergency rooms every year. Falls are the leading cause of fatalities for construction workers, accounting for one-third of worksite deaths in the construction industry. Almost two-thirds of fatal falls were from roofs, scaffolds and ladders. Proper fall prevention strategies could help prevent these deaths.

Special Reports /

Raising awareness of fall hazards in construction

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