§§1910.21, 1910.22, 1910.23, 1910.24, 1910.25, 1910.26, 1910.27, 1910.28, 1910.29, 1910.30, 1910.66, 1910.67, 1910.68, 1910.132, (revised) and 1910.140 , Subpart I Appendices C and D (added) have changed with an effective date of January 17, 2017 with the exceptions noted below. OSHA significantly revised its general industry standards on walking-working surfaces to prevent and reduce workplace slips, trips, and falls, as well as other injuries and fatalities associated with walking-working surface hazards. The final rule includes revised and new provisions addressing fixed ladders, rope descent systems, fall protection systems and criteria (including personal fall protection systems), and training on fall hazards and fall protection systems. Requirements on the design, performance, and use of personal fall protection systems were also added.

Timeline

The majority of changes in this rule became effective January 17, 2017, 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Some provisions have delayed effective dates, including:

• Ensuring exposed workers are trained on fall hazards (May 17, 2017),

• Ensuring workers who use equipment covered by the final rule are trained (May 17, 2017),

• Inspecting and certifying permanent anchorages for rope descent systems (November 20, 2017),

• Installing personal fall arrest or ladder safety systems on new fixed ladders over 24 feet and on replacement ladders/ladder sections, including fixed ladders on outdoor advertising structures (November 19, 2018),

• Ensuring existing fixed ladders over 24 feet, including those on outdoor advertising structures, are equipped with a cage, well, personal fall arrest system, or ladder safety system (November 19, 2018), and

• Replacing cages and wells (used as fall protection) with ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems on all fixed ladders over 24 feet (November 18, 2036).