Sospes
  • Sospes EHS Software
    • Mobile Inspections
    • Safety Data Sheets
    • Certifications Management
    • EHS Insight & Analytics
    • Safety Management
    • Customer Success
  • Use Cases
    • Manufacturing
    • Oil & Gas
    • Utilities
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • EHS Blog & News
    • ROI Calculator
    • COVID-19 Resource Library
    • OSHA Voluntary Protection Program
    • ISO 45001
    • PTASP Safety Management System
  • Free Demo
  • Customer Portal
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

OSHA’s Final Rule: Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn

One of the top causes of work-related injuries and deaths is falling from heights while on a working surface. These falls result in hundreds of injuries and even fatalities in various industries from construction and agriculture. To better protect workers from the dangers of these types of falls, OSHA issued a final rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems.

The rule is applied to the general industry and does not alter most of the industry’s standards of protection. This includes that of construction or agriculture. The rule integrates best protection practices as well as advances in technology in making sure that workers are effectively and cost-efficiently protected.

Overall, it includes the addition of training and inspection requirements. It allows greater flexibility for employers in implementing their fall protection systems. The hope is that it gives employers freedom to find ways that better fit the needs of their industry. Employers have the option to also use non-conventional fall protection methods in some situations.

OSHA also aligned the general industry standard requirements to that of construction standards. It aims to provide convenient compliance for employers performing both in the construction and general industry.

Other highlights of the rule include added protection for fixed ladders taller than 24 feet.

The final rule took effect in January 2017 with other compliance deadlines set to take place later on this year.

  • November 19, 2018 – Personal fall arrest or a ladder safety system on fixed ladders taller than 24 feet must be installed, including replacement ladders/ladder section and fixed ladders on outdoor advertising structures.
  • November 19, 2018 – Making sure that existing fixed ladders are equipped with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system and ladder safety system, including ladders on outdoor advertising structure.
  • November 18, 2036 – Ladder safety systems, cages and personal fall arrest systems on fixed ladders over 24 feet must be replaced.

Stay in the loop with Sospes!

More Articles By Sospes

Blog

The Power of Hands-On Safety Training: Sandra McWha

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sospes-The-Power-of-Hands-on-Safety-Training.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-09-06 12:16:332023-09-06 12:16:33The Power of Hands-On Safety Training: Sandra McWha
Blog

Context is Key – Especially for Safety Indicators

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sospes-context-is-key-especially-for-safety-indicators.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-08-22 10:40:122023-08-25 08:56:02Context is Key – Especially for Safety Indicators
Blog

If You Broke Your Back At Work …

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sospe-If-You-Broke-Your-Back-At-Work.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-08-02 09:31:592023-08-02 09:31:59If You Broke Your Back At Work …
Blog

Customer Spotlight – Tolmar

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sospes-Case-Study-Tolmar.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-07-18 21:42:182023-07-18 21:42:18Customer Spotlight – Tolmar
Blog

Complacency: The Silent Culprit Behind Many Safety Problems

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/complacency-the-silent-culprit-behind-many-safety-problems.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-07-06 10:58:202023-07-06 10:59:03Complacency: The Silent Culprit Behind Many Safety Problems
Blog

Celebrate Your Independence Day Safely

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/celebrate-your-independence-day-safely.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-06-22 18:15:132023-06-22 18:25:20Celebrate Your Independence Day Safely
Blog

Don’t Forget to Fly the Plane

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/dont-forget-to-fly-the-plane.jpg 563 1000 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-05-18 10:56:452023-05-18 10:56:45Don’t Forget to Fly the Plane
Blog

The Power of Community

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/power-of-community.jpg 338 600 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-04-07 19:01:462023-04-12 12:05:04The Power of Community
Blog

You Can’t Manage Safety From Behind a Desk

https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/you-can-not-manage-safety-from-behind-a-desk.jpg 375 640 Thomas Carson https://sospes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SospesLogoTag_LARGE-RGB-340x156.png Thomas Carson2023-04-04 19:46:362023-04-04 19:48:01You Can’t Manage Safety From Behind a Desk
PreviousNext
© 2023 Sospes LLC
  • Privacy Policy
  • Software User Terms & Conditions
Safety QuizSupervisor Portal Laptop Perspective Feb 2018OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies to track and improve performance. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Continue
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter