On Nov. 18, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) final rule. This is an update for general industry and does not change the construction standard. This update could impact maintenance activities being completed on a facility. OSHA indicated that under the final rule they have worked to align the general industry standard with the construction standard. 

This rule goes into effect on Jan. 17, 2017, however some provisions have delayed effective dates. For further analysis of the final rule see Jackson Lewis’s OSHA Law Blog and OSHA’s website for more information.