Falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities and work-related hospitalizations in our state, and every one of these deaths and injuries is preventable.

In an effort to prevent falls in construction, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) encourages employers to participate in the sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down scheduled for the week of May 6 -10.

A safety stand-down is a planned break from normal work activities to focus specifically on jobsite safety topics, like safe ladder use training or full-body harness inspections.

“Setting aside time on construction sites to focus on safety can make a real difference,” said Anne Soiza, director of L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “It’s a way for workers and employers to share important information to make workplaces safer, and it lets workers know their employers take their safety seriously.”

To help employers with their Stand-Down events, L&I has various tools on its Safety Stand-Down resources webpage, including safety videos, real-life stories and toolbox talks. Employers can also learn more about the Stand-Down and find out how to host a Stand-Down event.

The department encourages employers who participate in Stand-Down events to share their experiences by completing a short feedback survey online. Employers can also print out a certificate of participation and add their names to a list of Safety Stand-Down supporters.

This year L&I invites construction workers and employers to follow the agency on Facebook and Twitter (below) and share their Stand-Down stories and ideas.