Falls in the Workplace

aerial lift

Falls are a hazard found in many work settings. A fall can occur during walking or climbing a ladder to change a light fixture, or as a result of a complex series of events affecting an ironworker 80 feet above the ground.

Mast Climbing Work Platform Inspection Tool
A typical mast climbing work platform configuration

This new online tool provides users the opportunity to see a typical mast climber installation and inspect it for safety. Using this tool can help build familiarity with the equipment. Also available in Spanish.

National Campaign to Prevent Falls
Construction Worker on Roof

The goal of the national campaign is to prevent fatal falls. Each year as part of the campaign, a National Stand-Down is held to focus on fall prevention. Falls are the number one cause of construction worker fatalities.

Fast Facts

NIOSH Ladder Safety App

Now featuring step ladders!

iOS and Android Mobile Devices

Climbing for work? Get user-friendly guides and tools for extension and step ladder selection and safe use.

Available in English and Spanish (adaptive to which language is set on your device).

Planning and Guidance of Fall-Related Research at NIOSH

NIOSH fall-injury prevention research strategic planning and goal setting takes into consideration the magnitude or emergence of the problem as evidenced by data, immediacy of need expressed by stakeholders, resources and expertise in the goal area, current research, strength of partnerships in current research, and status and momentum on the course of research-to-practice. The strategic planning process is enhanced with input from the National Academy of Sciences program review.