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FFVA Mutual’s Safety Stand-Down programs help employers reduce workplace injuries by tackling the top causes with focused, easy-to-apply prevention strategies.
In 2023, Ernie Medina, FFVA Mutual’s new Vice President of Safety and Loss Control, noticed recurring injury patterns were becoming an issue for employees and policyholders alike. He spearheaded a proactive approach designed to stop injuries before they happen, launching FFVA Mutual’s first Safety Stand-Down campaign.
“General training plays a vital role in shaping overall workplace safety awareness,” said Medina. “But to shift behavior, we chose a more focused approach—zeroing in on one priority at a time so we can execute it with excellence.”
The impact? Since 2023, employers participating in FFVA Mutual’s stand-downs have seen notable reductions in claims frequency and severity across all three campaigns.
Rethinking Workplace Injury Prevention
Employers face constant exposure to risks across jobsites, warehouses, and offices. While safety manuals and posters are essential, they often fall short in addressing the real-world behaviors that lead to injuries. Medina recognized that a more proactive, data-driven approach was needed.
That’s where Safety Stand-Down Programs came in. Rather than broad, one-size-fits-all training, FFVA Mutual’s approach focused on specific injury types:
- 2023: Ladder Safety Stand-Down
- 2024: Strains & Sprains Prevention
- 2025: Slips, Trips & Falls Prevention
Each campaign is informed by actual claims data, addressing the most common and costly injuries FFVA Mutual sees across its book of business. “We weren’t guessing,” Medina said. “We looked at the claims and said, ‘Where are the injuries happening?’ That’s what made it easier for employers to take action — they knew it mattered.”
Indeed, ladder-related claims dropped 33% between 2022 and 2023, with another 36.8% reduction by mid-2025. Strains & Sprains claims decreased steadily, while Slips, Trips & Falls — launched in 2024 — are already showing a 53% reduction by mid-2025.
Moreover, the 2025 Safety Stand-Down campaign saw an impressive 125 policyholders participate, along with over 2,100 employees taking part in the in-person Slip, Trip & Fall prevention training.
What Makes Stand-Downs Work
Unlike static training programs, Safety Stand-Downs are immersive, in-person campaigns that engage workers directly. They’re built on three core principles:
- Focus: Each campaign targets a specific injury type identified through FFVA Mutual’s claims analysis.
- Measurability: Employers receive practical materials and metrics to track participation and outcomes.
- Collaboration: The campaigns are delivered in partnership with employers, encouraging dialogue between frontline workers, supervisors and FFVA Mutual’s loss control experts.
“What makes these stand-down campaigns work is they’re very specific. They’re based on real claim data, and they’re not just checklists. We give people something they can use right away, and it’s meant to start a conversation.”
– Ernie Medina
Employers receive customizable stand-down resources that include:
- Resource guide in English and Spanish to download/print
- Top 10 prevention tips direct mailer
- Live webcast, short talk, and demonstrations
- On-site training
- Industry-relevant examples
- Powerpoint presentations to use for short talks and safety committee meetings
- Certificates of Completion to download/print
Repetition and relevance drive long-term awareness and reduce incidents beyond the campaign week. Safety Is More Than a Checklist.
The companies that see the most benefit from stand-downs share a common trait: They fully commit to the process.
“The ones who really participate, they go all in,” said Medina. “They’re doing safety talks, they’re having leadership do walkthroughs, they’re making it personal to their employees. That’s when you see it click.”
Successful employers treat stand-downs as a launchpad, not a one-and-done event. They integrate the messaging into regular safety meetings, reinforce behaviors during shift huddles and empower safety committees to carry momentum forward.
“The stand-down is a great way to start the conversation,” Medina added, “but the companies that follow up — they’re the ones reducing incidents.”
Prepare Your Team for What’s Next
For employers looking to build a more proactive safety culture, the following steps are key:
- Start With Data: Understand your company’s injury trends. Focus on the areas that drive the most claims.
- Simplify the Message: Clear, actionable messaging is easier for teams to apply on the job.
- Empower Safety Leaders: Involve supervisors and frontline workers in delivering safety messages.
“Involving leadership in safety stand-downs gives them ownership and pride in the program and its results.” – Ernie Medina
- Make It a Habit: Safety culture grows through daily practices, not quarterly audits.
- Follow Up: Reinforce the messaging beyond the campaign week with ongoing discussions and recognition.
“You’ve got to make it real,” Medina said. “When people see examples that relate to their work, they pay attention. It’s not just, ‘Don’t fall off a ladder’ — it’s, ‘Here’s where people are slipping up in your industry.’ That’s when the lightbulb goes off.”
Planning for Next Year’s Safety Stand-Down
Motor Vehicle Accidents and Risk Prevention on the Road
Looking ahead, FFVA Mutual’s next stand-down campaign will address one of the fastest-growing and costliest risks: motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).
“We’re seeing more and more injuries from distracted driving,” Medina said. “It’s not just fleet drivers — it’s people in pickups, going site to site. So motor vehicle safety is going to be a big push next year.”
MVAs present unique challenges because they occur outside of controlled work environments. That’s why FFVA Mutual’s 2026 campaign will focus on practical strategies for:
- Preventing distracted driving
- Reinforcing seatbelt use
- Managing fatigue and time pressures
- Establishing safe driving protocols for non-fleet vehicles
Employers in transportation-heavy industries will receive customized resources to address their specific exposures.
Safety Stand-Down FAQs
What is a Safety Stand-Down?
A stand-down is a planned event where work stops temporarily to focus on a specific safety topic through discussion and practical training.
How often should employers hold a stand-down?
FFVA Mutual recommends annual participation in structured campaigns, with follow-up discussions throughout the year.
Who should participate in a stand-down?
Everyone, from frontline workers to senior leadership, should be involved to foster a safety-first culture.
How are topics chosen?
FFVA Mutual selects topics based on claims data, emerging industry risks, and feedback from policyholders.
What resources are available?
FFVA Mutual provides customizable toolkits with posters, discussion guides and templates to help employers run effective stand-downs.
Ready To Strengthen Your Safety Culture?
Explore each of FFVA Mutual’s Safety Stand-Down campaigns to access free, ready-to-use resources for reducing injuries across your worksites:
