Walking-Working Surfaces Compliance Standards

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from both heights and on the same level are among the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and even deaths. In fact, the agency estimates that slips, trips and falls are responsible for roughly 15% of accidental worker deaths, which ranks them second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of fatalities at work. In an effort to better protect workers in general industry from these hazards, OSHA recently updated – and clarified – standards for walking-working surfaces. More specifically, the new standard for walking-working surfaces incorporates the latest advances in technology, industry best practices and national consensus standards to provide worker protection through effective and cost-efficient means.

The Final Rule, which went into effect January 17, 2017 (with the exception of training), will affect approximately 112 million workers at 7 million different job sites. OSHA estimates that the new changes will prevent about 29 fatalities and 5,842 lost-workday injuries each year. In order to comply with the Final Rule and help prevent slips, trips and falls among employees, employers need to do the following:

• Conduct periodic visual inspections so that you can identify and correct hazards. Common hazards include wet floors, frequent spills or leaks, protruding wires, obstructed pathways, worn down carpet, sharp edges and more.
• Provide fall protection equipment and personal protective equipment as needed.
• Inspect and maintain floors, aisles, paths, ladders, stairways and fall protection equipment on a regular basis.
• Keep people away from slip, trip and fall hazards by clearly marking them using floor safety cones and accessories.
• Alert workers and visitors with appropriate signage and labels.
• Provide specific training to workers most likely affected by slips, trips and falls.
• Document your prevention efforts as proof of compliance (in the event of inspection).

From anti-slipping coatings to safety signs, Emedco has everything you need to keep all your workers safe, regardless of the surfaces on which they work. Just give our team of professionals a call at (866) 748-5963 or visit Emedco.com to find safety solutions for every challenge.