In light of the 12th annual “National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction,” the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) encourages safety professionals and employers to raise awareness and participate in the campaign on May 5-9.

The “Safety Stand-Down” is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly with employees about safety. Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate. While OSHA spearheads the campaign, other partners in addition to ASSP help out with the effort, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Occupational Research Agenda, OSHA-approved State Plans, state consultation programs, the Center for Construction Research and Training, the National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives, the U.S. Air Force, and the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.

ASSP shares labor statistics that reveal that falls from heights are the leading cause of death for construction workers, with more than 300 fatalities and 20,000 serious injuries occurring each year.

“No matter the job, worker injuries and fatalities are preventable,” said fall protection expert Thom Kramer, vice president of finance on ASSP’s board of directors. “Companies can create safe environments by using prevention through design principles, providing the right equipment and training everyone involved.” He also champions fall protection programs that follow consensus standards.

Organizations can get involved this year by consulting OSHA resources and using the hashtag #StandDown4Safety on social media to share stories and recommendations during the weeklong observance, which coincides with National Construction Safety Week.

Access more information on the campaign and fall safety statistics on ASSP’s website.