OSHA Extends Temporary Enforcement Measures on Fall Protection

As reported in NAHB’s latest Washington Update, home builders and remodelers have been given a 90-day reprieve from federal OSHA enforcement of new, more stringent fall protection regulations, which have been in effect since September 15, 2011.  The previously announced temporary enforcement measures, which provide priority free on-site compliance assistance, penalty reductions, extended abatement dates, measures to ensure consistency and increased outreach, have been extended until March 15, 2013, to allow the industry more time to learn about the rule. NAHB has long held that OSHA’s fall protection standard — including requirements that all residential construction companies must ensure that any employees or subcontractors doing work that’s six feet above ground or floor level must be protected with guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest systems — could actually cause greater danger on the job site than using alternate methods that home builders say are safer. NAHB again made that argument and recently sent a letter and petition to OSHA officials asking them to reopen the rulemaking and try again to create a rule that applies to home builders, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach that is better suited to commercial contracting. “We are very pleased that OSHA heeded our calls” in delaying enforcement of the new guidelines, noted NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg when OSHA made its announcement on Dec. 11. Get the full story in the Washington Update. Contact: Rob Matuga (800-368-5242 x8507).