The US federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted its twelfth annual “National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction” during May 5-9, 2025. The Stand-Down focused on fall hazards and fall prevention, emphasizing safety demonstrations, trainings and hazard recognition activities. Falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths in construction, and can also be important hazards in non-construction locations where workers use ladders or work in elevated locations. The remainder of this note summarizes approaches to fall hazards and fall protection.
What are safety stand-downs?
Stand-downs are organized training sessions at workplaces, often presented as short work-side “tool box” talks. OSHA suggests the following steps (I’ve edited them):
- Start preparations early
- Think about inviting subcontractors, owner, architects, engineers, or others
- Consider reviewing the employer’s fall prevention program
- Develop presentations or activities that will meet workplace needs
- Decide when to hold the stand-down and how long it will last
- Promote the stand-down
- Hold the stand-down
- Follow up
Which activities produce fall hazards?
Personnel may work at potentially dangerous heights in any type of workplace, as part of routine operations, periodic reconfigurations or maintenance, or in response to events). OSHA’s website and documentation provide a number of descriptions; a useful summary appears in a National Emphasis Program (NEP) addressing “Falls”, which OSHA promulgated in May 2023 (I wrote about that NEP HERE ) The NEP applies to the following types of worksites and activities:
- All construction inspections related to falls
- For non-construction inspections, the following activities:
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- Roof top mechanical work/maintenance
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- Utility line work/maintenance (electrical, cable)
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- Arborist/tree trimming
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- Holiday light installation
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- Road sign maintenance/billboards
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- Power washing buildings (not connected to painting)
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- Gutter cleaning
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- Chimney cleaning
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- Window cleaning
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- Communication Towers
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- Other non-construction work activities where a worker is observed working at height (with approval by OSHA’s area office management)
What should employers be doing about fall hazards?
Workplaces with fall hazards should consider applicable OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.28 – 1910.30 (general industry), and 1926.501 (construction)), which address risks of worker falls from heights and risks of being struck by objects falling from above. OSHA’s standards require guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall protection (as appropriate) where workers are working near height differences of 4 feet or more because of:
- an unprotected side or edge 4 feet or more above a lower level
- a “hoist area” where materials are loaded or received
- a hole (including at stairways, ladderways and chutes)
- a dockboard (e.g., temporarily placed between a loading dock and a vehicle, which may or may not be at the same height above a base level)
- a runway or walkway
- above “dangerous equipment”
In addition, special requirements apply where:
- near an opening in a wall, partition or vertical walking-working surface at least 30 inches high and 18 inches wide
- at repair pits, service pits and assembly pits shallower than 10 feet
- at fixed ladders (with additional tailoring for billboards)
- stairways
- scaffolds and rope descent systems
- work on low-slope roofs
OSHA standards specify technical requirements for:
- protection from falling objects,
- guardrails, handrails and stair rails
- safety nets
- covers
- safety cages (e.g. around fixed ladders) and safety nets
- personal fall protection systems
OSHA requires appropriate training for workers subject to these hazards and protections.
Now what?
Although the latest annual Stand-Down has passed, it provides a good reminder for organizations to review fall hazards and protections at their worksites.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Do any of my organization's workers work in situations subject to fall hazards, including:
- fall hazards (generally 4 feet or more)?
- Hazards from falling materials?
If so, does the organization provide appropriate:
- Fall protections
- Protections from falling materials
- Training
Where Can I Go For More Information?
- OSHA
- “National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction” webpage
- National Emphasis Program – Falls (CPL 03-00-025)
About the Author
Jon Elliott is President of Touchstone Environmental and has been a major contributor to STP’s product range for over 30 years.
Mr. Elliott has a diverse educational background. In addition to his Juris Doctor (University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1981), he holds a Master of Public Policy (Goldman School of Public Policy [GSPP], UC Berkeley, 1980), and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Princeton University, 1977).
Mr. Elliott is active in professional and community organizations. In addition, he is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the GSPP Alumni Association, and past member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's Environmental Law Section (including past chair of its Legislative Committee).
You may contact Mr. Elliott directly at: tei@ix.netcom.com