OSHA Sends Final Rule on Walking Working Surfaces to OMB for Review

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (‪#‎OSHA‬) has sent its new final rule for walking and working surfaces to OMB for final review. This can take a few months, if not longer. The new requirements are expected to focus mostly on fall protection, but it will certainly address other issues as well. This new standard has been 25+ years in the making!

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Washington – After more than two decades in development, OSHA’s final rule on walking/working surfaces to address slips, trips and falls is under White House review.

The rule, which would establish requirements for personal fall protection systems, was submitted July 2 for review to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. OIRA is overseen by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.

OSHA first began publicly working on the rule after issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking in 1990. A second NPRM was issued in 2010.

The rule would revise existing walking/working surfaces standardsby including new technology and methods intended to help reduce fall-related deaths and injuries.

According to the spring regulatory agenda, OSHA intends to issue the final rule in August. OIRA reviews are limited to 90 days but can be extended.