Court Upholds OSHA Fall Protection

04.18.2011
HR & Safety

A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge by the National Roofing Contractors Association to OSHA’s December 2010 directive on the use of fall protection in residential construction. The directive withdrew an earlier one that allowed certain residential construction employers to bypass some fall protection requirements.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that an average of 40 workers are killed each year as a result of falls from residential roofs.

Prior to the new directive, employers engaged in certain residential activities were allowed to use specified alternative methods of fall protection rather than the conventional fall protection required by the residential construction fall protection standard. Under the new directive, all residential construction employers must comply with the standard. Where residential builders can demonstrate that traditional fall protection is not feasible, alternative means of providing protection are allowed.

Construction and roofing companies have until June 16 to comply with the new directive.

To access the directive and for more information on residential fall protection: www.osha.gov/doc/residential_fall_protection.html

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