OSHA has proposed a revision of the current Walking-Working Surfaces standard to require employers to provide their workers with fall protection devices such as self-retracting lanyards and ladder safety and rope descent systems.
Trips, slips and falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries and death and the revisions to this standard will help prevent an estimated annual 20 workplace fatalities and more than 3,500 injuries serious enough to cause people to miss work.
Current Walking-Working Surfaces regulations allow employers to provide outdated and dangerous fall protection equipment such as lanyards and body belts that can result in workers suffering greater injury from falls. OSHA is seeking public comment on the new proposal. See the news release for more information.
