Are you aware of the new standards that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued last year? According to a Newsday report, many employers are not aware of the new regulations.

Last year, OSHA updated its Walking-Working Surfaces Safety standards which indicates it will prevent numerous fatalities, thus reducing the 5,000 injuries that occur annually. Fall from heights, and same-level are among the leading causes for these injuries.

“The new guidelines require employers to conduct regular inspections of every surface in the workplace on which people work and walk, including stairs, floors, ladders and other areas. The purpose is to identify trip, slip and fall hazards. The updated standards bring workplace requirements in line with those of the construction industry.”

Though the updated standards became effective in January of this year, many employers have been slow to comply. As of May 17th, employers are expected to have trained employees who use “fall-protection” equipment and systems.

The rule affects a range of workers, from painters to warehouse workers and is used to update general industry standards. Specifically, it updates the “slip, trip, and fall” hazards and adds requirements for personal fall protection systems.

“OSHA estimates that these changes will prevent 29 fatalities & 5,842 lost-working injuries every year.”

OSHA also states that the updates standards allow employees flexibility in deciding the best way they can minimize safety hazards. One example of a rule change is eliminating the existing rule to use guardrails as a primary fall protection method. This will allow employers to choose from accepted fall protection systems they believe will work best in a particular situation. This approach has been quite successful in the construction industry since 1994.

Advantages:

•  Advances in Technology
•  Industry Best Practices
•  Effective & Cost-Efficient Worker Protection
•  National Consensus Standards

Employers must stay up to date on OSHA Regulations. Regular inspections are crucial to minimize workplace injuries and fatalities. However, if these safety hazards are ignored, the costs are steep. Your company could get hit with not only OSHA Citations for safety violations, but there are workers’ compensation cost to consider along with possible lawsuits that come with those injuries.

HR Strategies offers our employers help with staying in compliance with new OSHA Regulations.

For questions regarding your Workers’ Compensation Policy, OSHA Regulations, or training, please contact Tanya White at twhite@hr-strategies.com or 678-551-6419.