Join the 2016 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, May 2-6

Words: Dan KamysIn 2014, almost 40 percent of all construction fatalities were fall related, and all of these deaths were preventable. Falls continue to be the construction industry’s leading cause of death; each year, hundreds of workers die and thousands more suffer catastrophic, debilitating injuries. Despite these statistics, the absence of proper fall protection remains the violation cited most frequently by federal safety inspectors. May 2-6, 2016 marks the third annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, promoted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA and thousands of employers nationwide will participate in Stand-Down events. A typical Stand-Down allows companies to stop work at a designated time to discuss and demonstrate how to the best prevent falls, and to encourage workers to apply these methods consistently. OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down web page provides free information. The National Safety Stand-Down is part of OSHA’s fall prevention campaign, started in 2012 and developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH’s National Occupational Research Agenda and The Center for Construction Research and Training. "The construction industry sees the highest frequency of fall-related deaths and serious, sometimes debilitating injuries,” said Dr. John Howard, Director of NIOSH. “Preventing falls benefits everyone. The National Safety Stand-Down serves as an important opportunity for both employers and workers to stop and take time in the workday to identify existing fall hazards, and then offer demonstrations and training to emphasize how to stay safe on the job.” For a list of free Stand-Down events open to the public near you, visit the Stand-Down calendar of events. Employers also sponsor many events solely for their workers. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/.
Remembering Paul Odom
December 2025

The masonry industry lost a true titan and a dedicated leader with the passing of Paul Odom. Known for his unwavering commitment to his craft and his community, Paul leaves behind a legacy defined not just by the structures he helped build.

Dan Kamys
Read More
Managing the Modern Jobsite: How MSV Helps Crews Do More with Less in 2026
December 2025

On today’s jobsites, efficiency is becoming as essential as craftsmanship. Crews are working with fewer hands, tighter schedules, and greater pressure to deliver high-quality results without increasing costs. It’s a reality affecting everything from resid

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More
A Free Resource for Contractors: The Block Design Collective
December 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff has launched the Block Design Collective (BDC), a national resource that provides fast, reliable guidance for anyone designing or building with concrete masonry. For contractors, the benefit is straightforward: better informa

Industry News
Read More
The Hidden Forces That Build America: Arching Action and the Tools We Trust
December 2025

Most people at World of Concrete can identify a CMU block from 50 feet away. Some can even smell Type S mortar curing from across the hall. But mention the phrase “arching action,” and you will see a surprising number of boots shift and eyes drift toward

Shayne Sanders
Technical Talks
Read More