About The National Campaign To Prevent Falls In Construction
Falls are the top cause of construction fatalities and account for one-third of on-the-job injury deaths in the industry, with a disproportionate number of incidents occurring in the residential sector. Each year in the U.S. construction industry, over 10,000 workers are seriously injured by falls and approximately one worker dies every day from a fall to a lower level.
The National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction (Falls Campaign) was founded in 2012 by the National Occupational Research Agenda Construction Sector Council (NORA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to raise awareness of the danger of falls in construction and to prevent fall injuries and fatalities.
Contractors, workers, safety associations, labor unions — and all industry stakeholders — can help prevent falls and save lives by joining the Falls Campaign. Read the How-To Guide for Partners Joining the Falls Campaign (English) for information on developing your own Safety Pays, Falls Cost campaign in your community.
In 2014, campaign organizers added the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction (Stand-Down) as the main event associated with the Falls Campaign. Although the Stand-Down happens every May, the Falls Campaign is an all-year effort. Find resources here about year-round fall prevention.
About the National Safety “Stand-Down” Event
In construction, the term “safety stand-down” is used to describe a wide variety of activities where normal work is paused and the entire site focuses on a particular safety issue. While some employers may use stand-downs to call attention to specific hazards present on their site as an intervention, the Falls Campaign has adopted the use of the term “stand-down” to draw attention to fall hazards in a national week-long event.
The Stand-Down is an opportunity to pause work to improve fall prevention planning and talk about fall safety with crews, crew leaders, and everyone on your jobsite. Employers have conversation with workers about fall hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Workers learn about fall prevention and protection, talk to management about fall hazards they see, and provide input about how to improve safety at work. Consult Event Ideas for Successful Stand-Downs resources (English, Español) for examples of how to participate.
Who is it for?
Participation began with, but is not limited to, the construction industry, and no business is too large or small to participate. In previous years, participants in residential construction, commercial construction, industrial construction, mining, general industry, and more have joined the Stand-Down. Learn more about past participants through the Stand-Down’s evaluation efforts.
When can I participate?
The 2025 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will take place May 5th through 9th. After you participate, remember to register for your official Certificate of Participation from OSHA, available in English and Spanish.
Who are the Premier Partners?
In 2024, the Falls Campaign established its Premier Partner Program. Premier Partner organizations are Stand-Down leaders who are committed to developing and sharing new resources, promoting official Campaign/Stand-Down webinars, engaging on social media, and directing their members and networks to OSHA’s Certificate of Participation after the Stand-Down.
How can I become a Premier Partner?
If you’re interested in becoming a Premier Partner for a future Stand-Down, contact CPWR by emailing Rosa Greenberg at rgreenberg@cpwr.com.