Oregon OSHA Proposes Changes to Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Regulations

In response to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s adoption of revised walking-working surfaces standards, Oregon OSHA has proposed to adopt the federal OSHA final rules with a few exceptions:

• Consistent with past practice, Oregon OSHA proposes maintaining a more conservative definition of “low-sloped roof”;
• Oregon OSHA proposes applying the rules regarding requirements for portable ladders more broadly than the federal regulations;
• Oregon OSHA proposes delayed effective dates for the regulations regarding fixed industrial stairs (1910.24), stairways (1910.25), dockboards (1910.26), scaffolds and rope descent systems (1910.27 and 1910.28), fall protection systems and falling object protection (1910.29), and training requirements (1910.30) to allow Oregon employers more time to understand and implement the changes required in the new regulation;
• Oregon OSHA proposes a significant departure from the federal regulation regarding scaffolds and rope descent systems. Instead of adopting the federal regulation, Oregon OSHA would adopt an Oregon-initiated rule that applies to rope access work generally. That rule would require the use of life-safety rated ropes made from industrial synthetic fibers, auto-locking descent devices, and pre-job safety briefings; and
• Oregon OSHA proposes expanding the scope of the federal regulation regarding fall protection, to apply to both fixed work surfaces and work surfaces on rolling stock or motor vehicles.

Oregon OSHA has scheduled four public hearings on the proposed rule, and it will accept comment on the rule until April 20, 2017. Oregon OSHA anticipates adopting a final version of this rule in May of 2017.

For more information on the proposed rule and to learn more about the opportunities to become involved in the rulemaking process, visit Oregon OSHA’s web page for the proposed rule by clicking on the following link.