Recognizing OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down Week: Preventing Construction Injuries and Saving Lives

Every year, thousands of construction workers are injured or killed on the job—many from accidents that are entirely preventable. To address this ongoing crisis, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spearheads National Safety Stand-Down Week, an annual event designed to raise awareness about fall hazards and reinforce the importance of safety in construction workplaces across the country.

As we observe this important week, it’s crucial to not only understand its purpose but also reflect on the most common types of construction accident injuries, the human cost of unsafe job sites, and what both employers and workers can do to reduce risks.

What Is National Safety Stand-Down Week?

National Safety Stand-Down Week is a voluntary OSHA initiative aimed at preventing falls in construction, the leading cause of death on job sites. In 2025, the event takes place May 5–9, and invites construction companies of all sizes to pause work and hold safety talks, demonstrations, training sessions, and toolbox talks focused on fall prevention and related topics.

The Stand-Down is part of OSHA’s broader Fall Prevention Campaign, which began in 2012 in collaboration with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), and other partners. The goal is simple: encourage employers to speak directly with employees about safety, review fall hazards, and reinforce protective measures.

Since its launch, millions of workers from thousands of businesses across the U.S. and internationally have participated in Stand-Down events. Employers can even receive a Certificate of Participation from OSHA after completing their safety stand-down.

Why Falls Are So Dangerous in Construction

Falls are consistently the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 alone, 390 construction workers died from falls to a lower level—representing nearly 40% of all construction-related deaths that year.

These fatalities often involve falls from:

• Scaffolding
• Roofs
• Ladders
• Openings or holes in floors and walls
• Unguarded edges

Despite available safety equipment and clear OSHA regulations, falls continue to claim lives due to lack of training, inadequate protective gear, or employer negligence.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

While falls are the deadliest hazard, they are far from the only danger facing construction workers. Below are several of the most common types of injuries seen in construction—and the statistics that highlight how pervasive they are.

1. Falls from Heights

Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or elevated platforms can cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Death

According to OSHA, falls account for the #1 most cited safety violation in the construction industry: failure to provide fall protection.

Key Stat: Of the 5,486 fatal work injuries in the U.S. in 2022, 986 occurred in the construction industry—and 390 were due to falls.

2. Struck-By Injuries

Workers can be hit by:

• Falling tools or debris
• Swinging cranes or loads
• Moving vehicles and heavy equipment

These incidents can result in:

• Lacerations and fractures
• Eye injuries
• Fatal head trauma

Struck-by incidents are one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” leading causes of death in construction.

Key Stat: Struck-by object injuries caused approximately 75 deaths in construction in 2022.

3. Caught-In or Caught-Between Hazards

These include being:

• Crushed by collapsing trenches
• Trapped in or between machinery
• Pinned between materials or structures

Key Stat: Caught-in/between incidents caused 58 deaths in construction in 2022.

4. Electrocutions

Construction workers often operate near live wires, unfinished electrical systems, and heavy equipment. Common causes of electrocution include:

• Contact with power lines
• Faulty equipment or wiring
• Inadequate grounding

Key Stat: Electrocutions caused 71 deaths in construction in 2022.

5. Repetitive Stress and Musculoskeletal Injuries

These injuries build over time due to:

• Heavy lifting
• Repetitive motions
• Awkward body positioning
• Vibrating tools

Consequences of repetitive stress commonly include chronic back pain, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

6. Heat-Related Illnesses

With outdoor work common in construction, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke pose serious risks—especially as climate change drives temperatures higher each year.

Key Stat: Construction workers are 13 times more likely to die from heat-related illness than other workers.

Economic and Human Costs of Construction Injuries

Workplace injuries and fatalities come with enormous personal, social, and economic consequences.

• For workers and families: Loss of income, long-term disability, emotional trauma, and in worst cases, loss of life.
• For employers: Higher insurance premiums, lost productivity, legal costs, and OSHA fines.
• For the nation: Billions in healthcare expenses and economic loss.

According to the National Safety Council, the total cost of work-related injuries in the U.S. in 2022 was over $167 billion, with construction among the top contributors.

OSHA Standards That Save Lives

OSHA has established extensive regulations designed to protect construction workers. Under OSHA regulations, employers are required by law to:

• Provide proper training in a language workers understand
• Supply and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Implement fall protection systems when workers are at heights of 6 feet or more
• Conduct regular safety inspections
• Report serious injuries and fatalities to OSHA

What Can Employers Do During Safety Stand-Down Week?

Participation in Safety Stand-Down Week is flexible and easy to tailor to your company. Employers can:

• Hold toolbox talks focused on fall protection
• Inspect personal fall arrest systems
• Conduct ladder safety training
• Demonstrate proper scaffold setup
• Review recent safety incidents or near misses
• Update workers on OSHA standards and employer policies

OSHA encourages employers to document their events and even offers free promotional materials and posters for download on their official website.

What Can Construction Workers Do?

Construction workers also play a vital role in maintaining a safe job site. Here’s how workers can take ownership of their safety:

• Speak up about unsafe conditions
• Always use provided fall protection
• Never bypass safety systems or PPE
• Attend all training and ask questions
• Encourage coworkers to prioritize safety

If you believe your workplace is unsafe, you have the right to file a complaint with OSHA. Workers are protected from retaliation for reporting hazards or violations.

Safety Isn’t a Slogan—It’s a Lifeline

National Safety Stand-Down Week is more than a one-week initiative; it’s a call to action. Falls and other injuries continue to take lives in an industry where safety should be the number one priority. With proper training, protective gear, and a culture of accountability, we can reduce these risks and protect the people who build our roads, homes, and skylines.

As OSHA reminds us each year: Plan. Provide. Train. Every life saved is worth the effort.

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If you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Contact John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation. Our Illinois construction accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.