FALL PREVENTION IN CONSTRUCTION: BUILDING A CULTURE OF SAFETY AT BIG-D

Falls remain the leading cause of death in construction. Not because people are careless, but because they are moving quickly and trying to do the right thing. 

When something becomes routine, it can also become risky. This Construction Safety Week is a chance to pause and refocus on what matters most.

THINK

Fall hazards are not always found high above the ground. More often, the risk is much closer than we realize.

“People picture falls happening from up high,” said Cory Hampton, Big-D Salt Lake Safety Director. “But it's the everyday things like cords, uneven ground, or a stray board that trip you up. We focus so much on the obvious height exposures, but it is the low-level hazards that cause most of the injuries.”

Brian Beebe, Big-D’s National Director of Health, Safety and Environment, sees it the same way.

“Just because you’ve done it a hundred times doesn’t mean it is safe,” Beebe said. “We all think we’re in control until we are not. A fall can happen in a heartbeat, and the difference between walking away and being seriously hurt is sometimes just a matter of inches.”

Fall risks exist everywhere on a jobsite. Recognizing that starts with changing how we think about safety.

WORK

Preventing falls is not complicated, but it does require intention and planning. It starts well before anyone sets foot on a site.

“The biggest contributor to fall risks is not taking the time to plan,” said Hampton. “When we feel pressure, it’s tempting to just use what’s on hand. But using the wrong ladder or skipping a step like locking the scaffold wheels can lead to serious consequences.”

Pre-task planning and daily conversations help teams stay ahead of changing conditions. We have never had more access to tools, technology, and gear that can help us work safely. What matters most is taking the time to use them the right way.

Beebe also emphasized the importance of staying ready.

“We need to give people the time and space to spot hazards before they get started,” said Beebe. “If something changes, we need to stop and reevaluate. That is what it means to build a culture of safety.”

LIVE

The National Safety Stand-Down reminds us to stop and reflect, but what matters most is what happens after.

“Safety is not about following rules just because someone said so,” said Beebe. “It is about protecting what matters most to you. That is the reason to care.”

“There is no task worth your life,” said Hampton. “Before you make a decision, think about the people and passions that drive you. Let those be the reason you make it home safe.”

Fall prevention is not just a policy. It is a commitment to people. And it is how we make sure that everyone goes home at the end of the day in the same condition they arrived.