OSHA has updated its residential construction's fall hazard standards.
Business owners in the construction industry have been on a heightened alert for health and safety inspections from OSHA since the agency's announcement to pay additional attention to the residential construction sector last fall. But, while many owners were looking for this increased scrutiny to subside in March, owners will need to be vigilant for a few more months.
On February 15, the government organization extended its temporary enforcement measures for residential construction sites until September 15, 2012.
The continuation of the enforcement comes with the organization's new initiative for increased fall safety standards, such as requirements on fall protection equipment like chest harnesses, escape kits and fall arrest kits.
According to OSHA, falls are the number one cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry. In conjunction with new additions to its fall protection standards, the governmental agency decided to make construction inspections a temporary focal point back in September 2011.
"Please instruct the Area Offices that residential fall protection requests are to be the [Compliance Assistance Specialists] CAS's highest priority," wrote David Michaels, the agency's assistant director in Washington, D.C., in a memorandum last fall. "In addition, please inform the State On-site Consultation Projects that, from September 16, 2011 through March 15, 2012, excluding imminent danger situations, requests from residential construction businesses should be their highest priority for receiving an on-site visit."
As a result, the organization is conducting more investigations of construction companies, but is also reducing its fines by 10 percent during the transitional phase.
The primary change to OSHA's fall protection requirements is that residential construction sites must now follow the same fall hazard standards as commercial worksites, but for a full list of the latest policies, interested site managers and industry professionals can read the full details here.
Related posts:
- OSHA wants improved fall protection equipment standards in home construction
- Ohio construction company fined for safety violations
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