How to Conduct a Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls Day
National Safety Stand Down Day is an ideal time to promote safety with your employees. We have 8 suggestions to get started. If you lack the time to implement all of them choose a couple that will work for your team. This will remind them of your commitment to safety while working.
2 min
Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful Stand-Down
- Try to start early. Designate a coordinator to organize the stand-down. If you have multiple work sites, identify the team that will lead the stand-down at each site.
- Think about asking your subcontractors, owner, architects, engineers, or others associated with your project to participate in the stand-down.
- Consider reviewing your fall prevention program. This will help provide a more effective stand-down
- What types of falls could happen:
- Falls from ladders
- Falls from a roof
- Falls from a scaffold
- Falls down stairs
- Falls from a structural steel
- Falls through a floor or roof opening
- Falls through a fragile roof surface
- What needs improvement? Is your program meeting its goals? Are you experiencing fatalities, injuries, or near misses? Are employees aware of the company's fall protection procedures?
- What training have you provided to your employees? Does it need revision?
- What equipment have you provided to your employees? Is better equipment available?
- What types of falls could happen:
- Develop presentations or activities that will meet your needs. Decide what information will be best for your workplace and employees. The meeting should provide information to employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations. Hands-on exercises (a worksite walkaround, equipment checks, etc.) can increase retention.
- Decide when to hold the stand-down and how long it will last. Decide if the stand-down will take place over a break, a lunch period, or some other time.
- Promote the stand-down. Try to make it interesting to employees. Some employers find that serving snacks increases participation.
- Hold your stand-down. Try to make it positive and interactive. Let employees talk about their experiences and encourage them to make suggestions.
- Follow up. If you learned something that could improve your fall prevention program, consider making changes.
"Suggestions to Prepare for a Successful Stand-Down" OSHA.org 2022 <https://www.osha.gov/stop-falls-stand-down/suggestions>
What is the purpose of a Stand-Down Day? >
