Protect Jobsite Workers by Focusing on Fall Prevention

Safety
Published

OSHA’s annual National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction begins Monday, May 6. Use valuable resources from OSHA and NAHB to educate workers on fall risks and help avoid preventable injuries.

Fatalities caused by falls on jobsites continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1,069 construction fatalities recorded in 2021, 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, 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.

Roofing continues to be the most dangerous job in construction for falls, with falls from roofs accounting for 33% of all fall fatalities in construction. NAHB has a roofing safety video toolbox talk that outlines proper safety procedures for roofers.

For tips on holding a stand-down, visit the NAHB Fall Safety Stand-Down page. NAHB also has a free comprehensive written toolkit on fall protection for members that includes a model plan, training resources and handouts on a wide range of fall protection topics. Consider showing the video below — available in both English and Spanish — to workers during the stand-down.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Trends

Oct 29, 2025

Do Consumers Want Two-Story Foyers?

Nearly a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer in 2024 — a number that has been trending downward over the past eight years. Though the national decline continued, regional patterns were mixed. See where this feature is hot — and where it's not.

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) | Education

Oct 29, 2025

How to Market to and Design for the Aging-in-Place Client

NAHB will host three webinars (open to members and non-members) in November to teach the technical, business management, and customer service skills necessary to complete modifications for aging-in-place.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Oct 29, 2025

The Fed Cuts amid Partly Cloudy Conditions

With the government shutdown limiting the quantity of economic data available to markets and policymakers, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) enacted a widely anticipated 25 basis point cut for the short-term federal funds rate.

Economics

Oct 28, 2025

Home Price Growth Slows

Home prices in August grew at the lowest annual rate in over two years, according to the recent release of the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index (seasonally adjusted – SA).

Economics

Oct 27, 2025

Two-Story Foyer Trend Stabilizes in 2024

In 2024, nearly a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer, virtually unchanged from 2023, according to data obtained from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and tabulated by NAHB.