Roofing and construction companies around the country will kick-off Construction Safety Week, May 4-8, with a special emphasis of fall prevention.

This will mark the 13^th consecutive year of OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, and the agency is anticipating a strong campaign to address a leading cause of fatal and other serious injuries on roofing jobsites. Federal data shows that falls continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 389 of the 1,034 construction fatalities recorded in 2024.

Federal officials believe those deaths were preventable with proper training and awareness. As part of the 2026 campaign, OSHA will introduce three targeted technical bulletins that align with the theme of “Recognize, Respond and Respect.” Shaped with input from industry leaders, safety experts and skilled craft professionals, these bulletins reflect the shared responsibility to protect lives across every phase of the project life cycle, officials said.

The Stand Downs are a time to stop all work activities on the jobsite and reflect on safety topics, or one particular challenge to overcome. Anyone can participate and there are a lot of resources available to create an impactful safety experience for your crews and entire team. Here are five things to think about in order to organize and facilitate a successful Safety Stand Down at your roofing company:

Who is it for?

Everybody. Whether new on the job or savvy crew veterans with great safety records, roofing contractors need consistent reminders that the job is inherently dangerous simply because the workspaces are high above ground. Anyone who wants to prevent workplace hazards should participate in the Stand-Down.

How does it look?

These safety exercises are completely customizable to your company’s size, safety needs, and desired outcomes. Taking a break for a toolbox talk, safety-equipment check or emergency rescue plan discussions all fit the criteria. Think of it as an opportunity to address specific jobsite incidents, hazards or other potential situations that can impact safety at the workplace.

Start Early and Designate a Leader

It helps to start messaging early and designate a safety coordinator for the event to keep the activity organized and workers engaged. If there are multiple sites, identify a person or team to lead the stand-down at each location.

Meet the Need

Reach the roofing contractors who need the messaging most by developing presentations and activities relevant to their day-to-day work. There should be information on hazards, protective measures and equipment, safety policies, and goals and expectations. Hands-on activities such as rooftop walkthroughs, equipment inspections, and rewards can also improve participation.

Don’t Forget the Follow-Through

Providing a safe place for workers to share their experiences and concerns about safety is important to keep the stand downs interactive and positive. So is following up. Making sure roofers learn something that could improve fall prevention comes only through communication and consideration of policy changes with everyone’s input. This process shouldn’t just be an annual exercise.