Walking Working Surfaces Regulation Updates

Effective January 17, 2017, OSHA implemented the Walking Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems Final Rule, which provides updates to standards originally established in 1971. One of the Final Rule's important updates is allowing employers to select the fall protection system that works best for them.

OSHA has permitted the use of personal fall protection systems in construction since 1994 and the Final Rule adopts similar requirements for general industry. There are other significant changes, as follows:

• Allowing employers to use of a rope descent system (also referred to as (RDS) up to 300 feet above a lower level
• Prohibiting the use of body belts as part of a personal fall arrest system
• Requiring worker training on personal fall protection systems and fall equipment

OSHA also provides delayed or phased-in compliance dates, from January 17, 2017, for several requirements in the Final Rule, as follows:

• Training workers on fall and equipment hazards- 6 months
• Inspection and certification of permanent building anchorages- 1 year
• Installation of fall protection on existing fixed ladders over 24 feet that do not have any fall protection-2 years
• Installation of ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems on new fixed ladders over 24 feet and replacement ladders or ladder sections-2 years
• Installation of ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems on all fixed ladders over 24 feet-20 years

To learn more about Walking Working Surfaces visit our Walking Working Surfaces & Personal Fall Protection Systems Online Training web page.