Question: What OSHA standards address fall protection?

OSHA covers fall protection in several standards. General fall protection is covered in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1926, Subpart M. Safety standards for ladders are found in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart X and for scaffolding in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart L.

Question: What guidance does OSHA give for fall protection in residential construction?

OSHA has a page dedicated to educating employers and workers on how to implement effective fall protection in residential construction here.

Question: What are worker rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act?

Workers are entitled to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. To help assure a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA also provides workers with the right to:

• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be in a language that workers can understand;
• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace;
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses;
• Get copies of their medical records;
• Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace; and
• Use their rights under the law free from retaliation and discrimination.

See OSHA’s Worker Page for more information.

Question: What are employers’ responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act?

Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires that employers try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to trap harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of effective ways to get rid of or minimize risks.

For more information see the Employer Responsibilities page.