The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is a voluntary event led by OSHA that asks employers to pause work and talk with their crews about fall hazards and fall prevention. OSHA runs it with partners including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training, and the National Safety Council. It is held each spring, usually in early May, and 2026 marked the 13th annual stand-down.
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. A stand-down gives contractors a structured, low-cost way to refresh training, inspect equipment and show workers that fall protection is not optional.
When Is the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in 2027?
OSHA has not yet announced the 2027 dates. The agency sets the dates each year and publishes them on its Stand-Down to Prevent Falls page. In recent years the stand-down has been a weeklong event in early May: the 2026 stand-down ran May 4–8, 2026.
Employers do not have to hold their stand-down on a specific day. Any time during the official week works, and many contractors plan a session at each active site. If you also take part in NAOSH Week, the two events often fall close together and can share materials.
Why It Matters at Work
Falls kill and injure more construction workers than almost any other hazard. The National Safety Council, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reports that more than 600 workers died in falls to a lower level in 2024. Across all industries, the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries counted 844 fatal falls, slips and trips in 2024.
Most fall deaths happen in ordinary work: a ladder set up on uneven ground, an unguarded roof edge, a floor hole left uncovered, a scaffold missing a guardrail or a harness that was never tied off. These are hazards a crew can recognize and control with planning, the right equipment and training.
How to Take Part
OSHA invites organizations of all sizes and industries to join, not only construction companies. OSHA's stand-down page offers free resources, a list of public events and a certificate of participation you can download after your event. Ideas for your stand-down:
- Stop work for a focused session. Gather each crew for 15 to 60 minutes to talk about fall hazards on that specific job.
- Inspect fall protection equipment. Check harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines and anchors, and remove anything damaged from service.
- Walk the site. Look for unprotected edges, floor holes, damaged ladders and incomplete scaffolds, and fix them before work resumes.
- Demonstrate correct use. Have a competent person show how to don a harness, set up a ladder at the right angle and inspect a scaffold.
- Review rescue plans. Confirm how you would reach a worker suspended in a harness and who is responsible.
- Collect worker input. Ask crews where they feel exposed and what equipment or time they need to work safely.
- Record participation. Keep sign-in sheets and download your certificate from OSHA once your event is done.
Toolbox Talk: Plan, Provide, Train
Read this short outline to your crew during the stand-down:
- Falls are the top killer in construction. They happen on small jobs and big ones, from low heights and high ones. Nobody is too experienced to fall.
- Plan before you climb. Before any work at height, decide how the job will be done safely and what equipment is needed. If the plan is not clear, ask.
- Use the right equipment. Guardrails, covers, personal fall arrest systems and the right ladder for the job. Inspect your harness and lanyard before each use.
- Ladders are tools, not shortcuts. Set them on firm, level ground, extend them 3 feet above the landing and keep three points of contact.
- Cover and mark holes. Every floor and roof opening needs a secured cover marked as a hole, or a guardrail.
- Speak up. If you see a missing guardrail or someone not tied off, say something or stop the work.
Discussion question: Where on this site are we most likely to fall, and what would make that spot safer today?
Related Requirements
OSHA's construction fall protection rules in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M generally require fall protection when construction workers are exposed to a fall of 6 feet or more to a lower level. Employers can use guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems, and must cover or guard holes. Employers must also train each worker exposed to fall hazards to recognize them and follow the right procedures, using a competent person to provide that training. See our summary of Construction Fall Protection requirements for details.
How SMS360 Helps
A stand-down is a good start, but fall protection training has to stay current. The SMS360 Training Management module lets you schedule fall protection and ladder training, record attendance from the field on a mobile device and track who is due for refresher training. You can store sign-in sheets, certificates and training materials in one place, and dashboards show training status across crews and sites, so you can prove who was trained and when if an inspector or customer asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 Stand-Down to Prevent Falls?
OSHA has not announced the 2027 dates yet. The stand-down is typically held for one week in early May, and the 2026 event ran May 4–8. Watch OSHA's stand-down page for the official 2027 announcement.
Who can participate in the stand-down?
Anyone who wants to prevent falls can take part, including contractors, subcontractors, unions, trade associations, government agencies and employers outside construction. Participation is voluntary, and OSHA offers a certificate of participation after you hold your event.
What happens during a safety stand-down?
Employers pause regular work to talk with workers about fall hazards, protective methods and company safety policies. Common activities include toolbox talks, equipment inspections, hazard walks, demonstrations and rescue drills. The format is flexible, so you can fit it to the size and type of your job.
