On November 17, OSHA announced the publication of its long-awaited final rule updating its general industry walking and working surfaces and establishing requirements for personal fall protection systems in general industry. Keep reading to learn the details of this major regulatory development.
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The rule affects a wide range of workers, from window washers to chimney sweeps. Basically, any job task where slips, trips, or falls may result in serious injury or fatality is subject to the rule. It does not change construction or agricultural standards.
According to OSHA, the rule incorporates advances in technology, industry best practices, and national consensus standards to provide effective and cost-efficient worker protection. Specifically, the rule updates general industry standards addressing slip, trip, and fall hazards (subpart D), and adds a new section specifying requirements for personal fall protection systems (subpart I).
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