Every May, construction job sites across the United States pause to highlight a critical priority that affects every member of the industry: safety. In 2025, two powerful initiatives—Construction Safety Week (May 5–9, 2025) and the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls (May 5–10, 2025)—are calling on the industry to reinforce a simple but powerful message: safety is a collective responsibility.
As fatality rates climb and fall-related deaths remain a top hazard in construction, these back-to-back initiatives offer a timely opportunity for companies to refocus their safety cultures, educate their crews and implement actionable practices that save lives.
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY WEEK 2025: “VALUE EVERY VOICE”
This year’s Construction Safety Week theme is “Value Every Voice,” encouraging leaders and crews to create environments where everyone feels empowered to speak up about safety concerns, share ideas, and drive improvements from the ground up.
"By planning, owning, and committing to safety, we ensure that every worker goes home safe at the end of the day,” said Mike Choutka, Hensel Phelps Chief Executive Officer and 2025 Safety Week Chair. “Together, we have the power to build a stronger, safer industry.”
Key Messages for 2025:
• Everyone owns safety – from apprentice to site manager
• Open communication saves lives – encourage reporting and listening
• Safety is physical and mental – support holistic well-being
• Take action, not shortcuts – even under deadline pressure
Across the country, participating companies will hold toolbox talks, safety demonstrations, equipment inspections, wellness checks and leadership site visits. Free planning kits are available on the Safety Week website to guide contractors through the week with pre-made templates, speaking points and engagement tips.
“We encourage everyone to carry the spirit of Construction Safety Week forward by upholding the highest safety standards year-round," Choutka said.
Free Safety Videos
This year there are five new videos about safety, one for each day of Safety Week, to help encourage talking about these topics and reinforcing good safety habits.
Monday, May 5: Plan with Precision Tuesday: Mental Health Matters
Tuesday, May 6: Identifying High Energy Hazards Thursday: Commit to Action
Wednesday, May 7: Own Your Part
Thursday, May 8: Engage and Empower Team Members
Friday, May 9: Commit to Excellence
NATIONAL SAFETY STAND-DOWN TO PREVENT FALLS
Running in parallel is OSHA's National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, a focused campaign aimed at eliminating one of the deadliest hazards on job sites. Falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities, accounting for more than one in three deaths, and are the most frequently cited OSHA violation.
The stand-down invites all construction employers to pause work and hold a dedicated conversation or activity about fall prevention. This could include reviewing fall hazard protections, demonstrating harness use and ladder safety and re-training workers on PPE inspections.
Best Practices for a Successful Safety Stand-Down
Whether you manage five employees or 500, you can help save a life with a successful safety stand-down. Here are some ways to get started.
• Take a Safety Pause: Dedicate time during the workday to focus solely on fall prevention.
• Target Key Topics: Highlight critical areas such as guardrails, harness use, anchorage points, scaffolding, and roof safety.
• Demonstrate Proper Technique: Show how to correctly wear and inspect fall protection equipment.
• Engage the Team: Encourage workers to share their experiences and concerns about fall risks.
• Share your Stand-Down story: Post encouraging photos and videos on social media to inspire others, with the hashtag: #StandDown4Safety.
Free Safety Webinars
OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training are also hosting two free webinars in advance of the stand-down:
• Get Ready for the 2025 Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction! Tuesday, April 29, 2 p.m. ET
• How to Address “Leading Edges” and Other Barriers to the Use of Overhead Anchorage for Work at Heights. Thursday, May 1, 3 p.m. ET
EVERYONE HAS A ROLE
Construction Safety Week and the National Safety Stand-Down are opportunities for contractors to align their teams, check their blind spots and create safer healthier workplaces. During this first week of May, take the time to reflect, retrain and recommit. Everyone plays a role in keeping our industry safe.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MUNGKHOOD STUDIO
