This week, I was excited to join construction company Hensel Phelps and more than 1,800 workers, employers, and other stakeholders at the National Institutes of Health work site in Bethesda, Maryland, for the annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls. It was great to hear firsthand how employers and workers are committed to safety as this administration brings jobs back to our country and creates new opportunities for American workers.
Stand-down events like this across the country are an important way to educate workers on preventative safety techniques. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration began the stand-down campaign in 2014 because falls were the leading cause of fatal injuries in construction and consistently one of OSHA’s most cited hazards – and unfortunately, this is still the case.
The fact is, workers and employers should be tackling fall hazards every day – not just once a year. Besides stand-downs, employers can educate workers on fall hazards through robust safety and health programs, regular safety meetings and making sure critical measures like harness checks are part of routine operations.
We know the vast majority of employers strive to keep their workplaces and workers safe, and OSHA provides compliance assistance materials and programs to help. The On-Site Consultation Program offers free, confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to reduce the number of fatal falls. Let’s continue putting American Workers First by ensuring they come home safe at the end of every day.
Keith Sonderling is the Deputy Secretary of Labor. Follow him on X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
