OSHA Proposes Revisions to Slip-and-Fall Standards

The NPRM describes revisions to walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment standards to help prevent an estimated annual 20 workplace fatalities and more than 3,500 injuries serious enough to cause people to miss work.

According to OSHA, the current walking-working surfaces regulations allow employers to provide outdated and dangerous fall protection equipment, such as lanyards and body belts. Proposed revisions would require general industry to provide safer, more effective fall protection devices, such as self-retracting lanyards and ladder safety and rope descent systems.

Also under the revised standards, OSHA inspectors would be able to fine employers who allow workers to climb certain ladders without proper fall protection.

OSHA says a public hearing on the revised changes will be held after the public comment period.