OSHA’s National Emphasis Program Fall Protection

On May 1, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it began a National Emphasis  Program (NEP) designed to prevent falls (https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/05012023). Falls are  among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. According to OSHA and the Bureau of  

Labor Statistics (BLS), since 2014 there have been a total of 12,049 fatal workplace injuries due to falls. Of those  12,049 fatalities, 5,369 were” Fatal falls to lower levels” and 6,680 were due to “Slips, trips and falls.” These injuries  and fatalities are preventable, so a National Emphasis Program is necessary to ensure these hazards are being  addressed. In fact, year after year, both Fall Protection – General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501) and Fall  Protection – Training Requirements (29 CFR 1926.503) are among OSHA’s Top 10 Violations. 

This NEP will establish guidelines for OSHA compliance and safety officers to initiate inspections under the scope of  the NEP whenever they observe someone working at heights. This may occur during an inspector’s normal work day travel while enroute to, from or during other OSHA inspections. As with all NEP’s, OSHA will have a 90-day  outreach program for industry to focus on educating employers about effective ways to keep employees safe.  Although this NEP is geared towards the construction industry, general industry and agriculture will be targeted as  well. 

Employers, according to OSHA, are required to keep a safe workplace for their employees by: 

1) Providing working conditions that are that are free of known hazards, 

2) Ensuring work areas and floors are clean and dry, as far as possible, 

3) Selecting and providing required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers, and

4) Training workers about hazards in languages they understand. 

In addition, employers should follow the guidelines below to prevent falls and help minimize inspections.

1) Ensure every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk is properly guarded. Using a railing and a  toe board or a floor hole cover are acceptable means.  

2) If there are open sided platforms, floors or runways, provide a guard rail and toe-board around them.

3) Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of  acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide guardrails and toe-boards to prevent workers from falling  and getting injured. 

4) Evaluate all other jobs that require fall protection that include safety harness and line, safety nets, stair  railing and handrails.  

As you can see, OSHA is taking injuries and fatalities due to falls, very seriously. They will be increasing inspections  and enforcement at any time they see employees working at heights. Employers can minimize the impact of these  inspections and enforcement activities and protect employees by following fall protection regulations for  construction, general industry, and agriculture. 

For more information on the National Emphasis Program on Fall Protection, go to the following link  https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection or to view other National Emphasis Programs implemented by OSHA, go  to https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/nep. You may also contact Sedgwick’s Andy Sawan at  330.819.4728 or andrew.sawan@sedgwick.com