Category: News

Stay Alert, Stay Safe: Preventing Struck-by Hazards in Construction

Stay Alert, Stay Safe: Preventing Struck-by Hazards in Construction

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Struck-by hazards remain one of the most serious risks in construction – second only to falls in terms of fatalities and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries on the job. 

With the safety of our Members as our priority, we’re proud to support the National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents happening April 21–25, 2025, during National Work Zone Awareness Week.

This annual, nationwide initiative encourages employers to pause work and talk directly with their teams about the dangers of struck-by incidents and how to prevent them. These conversations can take place anywhere – at the jobsite, in a toolbox talk or during a pre-shift huddle – and serve as a powerful reminder that safety starts with awareness.

 

Why This Matters

Struck-by incidents can happen in an instant, from falling tools, heavy equipment, traffic hazards or crane lifts. Without the right training and awareness, these everyday risks can turn deadly. But they’re also preventable.

 

What You Can Do 

Join the Stand-Down by discussing topics like:

  • Working safely around moving vehicles and heavy equipment
  • Preventing dropped objects and falling tools
  • Lift zone planning and crane safety
  • Traffic control in work zones
  • The importance of PPE, especially hard hats and high-vis gear

 

Virtual Events During the Week

Participate in safety webinars and other online events during the week, including:

 

Explore the Resources 

National partners including NIOSH, CPWR and ARTBA have created valuable resources to support your efforts, from infographics and toolbox talks and safety posters. Check out materials like:

 

Make It Count 

Participating in the Stand-Down shows your crew and community that safety isn’t just a policy – it’s a culture. Whether you lead a brief conversation or host a larger safety meeting, every step toward awareness is a step toward saving lives.

Let’s stand down, speak up and work together to prevent struck-by injuries.

Digging Into Safety: Join the 2025 Excavation Safety Stand-Down

Digging Into Safety: Join the 2025 Excavation Safety Stand-Down

jcwcreative.com

As a partner in the construction industry, we believe safety is a responsibility we all share, especially in high-risk environments like excavation sites. That’s why we’re proud to support Minnesota OSHA’s upcoming Excavation Safety Stand-down, happening April 21–25, 2025.

 

What Is the Excavation Safety Stand-down?

This statewide initiative is a voluntary opportunity for contractors and crews across Minnesota to pause and refocus on what matters most: getting everyone home safely. Employers are encouraged to take time during the workday – whether it’s a toolbox talk, team meeting or a dedicated safety session – to discuss the hazards and best practices associated with excavation work.

Employers are also encouraged to make a plan for protecting workers and preventing accidents.

 

Why It Matters

Excavation-related fatalities are preventable. Yet lives are lost due to trench collapses, unsafe soil conditions, inadequate protective systems and other avoidable issues. This stand-down is a chance to proactively address those risks and reinforce the importance of sloping, shoring and shielding.

 

Topics to Cover With Your Team

Not sure where to start? Here are some key areas to include in your safety conversation:

  • Soil classification and its impact on protective systems
  • Competent person responsibilities
  • Safe access and egress
  • Hazardous atmospheres and water accumulation
  • Surface encumbrances and falling loads
  • Traffic exposure and site inspections

 

Get Involved & Show Your Commitment

Participating in the stand-down sends a clear message: your team’s safety is a priority. After your discussion, you can download and display a certificate of participation and post the official stand-down flyer (available in English and Spanish) to spread awareness across your site.

 

Resources to Help You Lead a Successful Stand-down

We support our Members in building safer jobsites every day. Let’s dig into safety together – because the foundation of any good job starts with protecting the people on it.

Join the 2025 National Safety Stand-Down: Preventing Falls, Together

Join the 2025 National Safety Stand-Down: Preventing Falls, Together

jcwcreative.com

Falls remain one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry, but they’re also among the most preventable. To help raise awareness and promote a culture of safety, the 2025 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will take place May 5 – 9, with a dedicated focus day on Wednesday, May 7. 

This nationwide initiative, part of a joint effort by OSHA and Construction Safety Week, encourages construction employers to pause work and hold conversations about fall prevention on job sites.

 

This Year’s Theme: “All in Together”

The 2025 Stand-Down emphasizes collective responsibility for job site safety. Whether you’re a subcontractor, project manager, architect or crew leader, everyone plays a role in preventing falls from ladders, scaffolds, roofs and other elevated surfaces.

 

How to Participate

Employers are encouraged to host a stand-down event at any point during the week. Here are a few simple ways to make an impact:

  • Plan a fall protection toolbox talk
  • Provide or refresh fall protection training
  • Conduct inspections of fall protection equipment
  • Discuss job-specific fall hazards and safe work practices
  • Invite subcontractors, architects, owners and project engineers to attend

These activities can be formal safety meetings, equipment demonstrations or informal talks that reinforce the importance of working safely at heights.

 

Resources & Planning Tools

To help plan your Stand-Down, you can access helpful resources and event listings at:

 

Spread the Word

Participating organizations are encouraged to share their stories on social media using the hashtag #StandDown4Safety to help raise awareness and promote safety across the industry.

 

A Safer Industry Starts With One Conversation

Taking the time to talk about fall prevention could be the most important part of your team’s day. Use this opportunity to revisit your company’s safety policies, refresh your team’s training and recommit to keeping every worker safe – because when it comes to fall prevention, we’re all in together.

Hands-On Safety, Built for You: Inside Our Safety Services

Hands-On Safety, Built for You: Inside Our Safety Services

jcwcreative.com

To support our Members’ success, we help keep them and their teams safe. Our Safety Services team is dedicated to walking alongside our Members, offering field-tested, hands-on safety solutions that reduce risk and protect what matters most: your people.

From personalized site visits to expert-led classroom training, we take a proactive approach to help Members identify exposures and implement safer practices. Our state-of-the-art training facility features both classroom and demonstration spaces—like our Iron Range Room—where real-life scenarios come to life, giving workers a deeper understanding of jobsite hazards and how to prevent them.

Whether it’s helping secure OSHA grants, offering safety resources in Spanish or serving as another set of eyes on your jobsite, we’re here to help you work safer, smarter and more successfully.