OSHA’s annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction begins Monday, May 4. Take a few minutes during the week to pause work and use valuable resources from OSHA and NAHB to educate workers on fall risks and safety procedures to help avoid preventable injuries.

Fatalities resulting from falls on jobsites continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 389 of the 1,034 construction fatalities recorded in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those deaths were preventable with the proper training, jobsite requirements and equipment.

In addition, improper fall protection is the most frequently cited OSHA violation each year for construction.

OSHA, with support from NAHB and other industry partners, holds a week-long stand-down to encourage construction firms to set aside time to discuss fall protection with workers. In advance of the stand-down, company managers should review their policies, training materials and equipment to make sure workers have everything they need.

Pick a specific topic to focus on — one that is relevant to the current work on the jobsite, such as scaffolding, ladder or roofing safety. Present the information to the workers, keeping it short and simple. Use visual aids or conduct hands-on demonstrations, such as how to put on a harness or inspect a ladder/scaffold.

NAHB has resources that can help with your stand-down, including a new safety video on mobile elevated work platforms.

OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training are also hosting free webinars during the stand-down:

• Monday, May 4, at 2 p.m. ET – Kick-Off the 2026 Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. Register (Zoom)
• Tuesday, May 5, at 1 p.m. ET – Prevention Through Design: Ask the Expert Webinar. Register (Zoom)
• Friday, May 8, at 1 p.m. ET – Top Three Things to Know About Working on Roofs. Register (Zoom)

Use the stand-down week to focus on fall prevention training on your jobsites. Falls are the easiest accidents to mitigate, you just have to want to put safety first.