Return to news>>OSHA’s Final Rule to Update General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards
January 17, 2017
OSHA has issued a new rule, involving injury and illness tracking, which goes into effect on January 1, 2017.
By: Elaine Eldridge
Falls from heights and on the same level are among the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. On average, approximately 202,066 serious injuries and 345 fatalities occur annually among workers directly affected by the final standard.
OSHA’s final rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems better protects workers in general industry from hazards by updating and clarifying standards and adding training and inspection requirements. The rule affects a wide range of workers, from window washers to chimney sweeps. It does not change construction or agricultural standards. Specifically, the rule updates general industry standards addressing slip, trip, and fall hazards and adds requirements for personal fall protection systems.
The rule benefits employers by providing greater flexibility in choosing a fall protection system. In addition, employers will be able to use non-conventional fall protection in certain situations, such as designated areas on low-slope roofs.
The rule requires employers to protect workers from fall hazards along unprotected sides or edges that are at least 4 feet above a lower level. It also sets requirements for fall protection in specific situations, such as hoist areas, runways, areas above dangerous equipment, wall openings, repair pits, stairways, scaffolds, and slaughtering platforms as well requirements for the performance, inspection, use, and maintenance of personal fall protection systems.
OSHA defines fall protection as “any equipment, device, or system that prevents a worker from falling from an elevation or mitigates the effect of such a fall.” Under the final rule, employers may choose from the fall protection options listed within the rule. PDF: OSHA’s Final Rule to Update, Align, and Provide Greater Flexibility in its General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards
The rule codifies a 1991 OSHA memorandum that permits employers to use Rope Descent Systems (RDS), which consist of a roof anchorage, support rope, descent device, carabiners or shackles, and a chair or seat board. The rule adds a 300-foot height limit for the use of RDS in addition to other requirements.
Falls from ladders account for 20 percent of all fatal and lost work-day injuries in general industry. The new rule includes requirements to protect workers from falling off fixed and portable ladders as well as mobile ladder stands and platforms. (The ladder requirements do not apply to ladders used in emergency operations or ladders that are an integral part of or designed into a machine or piece of equipment). In general, ladders must be capable of supporting their maximum intended load, while mobile ladder stands and platforms must be capable of supporting four times their maximum intended load. Each ladder must be inspected before initial use in a work shift to identify defects. See specifics outlined in the following publication: PDF: OSHA’s Final Rule to Update, Align, and Provide Greater Flexibility in its General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards.
The rule adds a requirement that employers ensure workers who use personal fall protection and work in other specified high hazard situations are trained, and retrained as necessary, about fall and equipment hazards, including fall protection systems. A qualified person must train these workers to correctly: identify and minimize fall hazards; use personal fall protection systems and rope descent systems; and maintain, inspect, and store equipment or systems used for fall protection systems. A qualified person must train these workers to correctly: identify and minimize fall hazards; use personal fall protection systems and rope descent systems; and maintain, inspect, and store equipment or systems used for fall protection.
When there is a change in workplace operations or equipment, or the employer believes that a worker would benefit from additional training based on a lack of knowledge or skill, then the worker must be retrained. The training must be provided in a language and vocabulary that workers understand.
Most of the rule will become effective 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register (November 18, 2016), but some provisions have delayed effective dates, including:
For additional information on OSHA's rule on walking-working surfaces, click on the following: PDF: OSHA’s Final Rule to Update, Align, and Provide Greater Flexibility in its General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards