OSHA Rejects Az Fall Protection Standards

Federal OSHA Rejects Arizona's Residential Fall Protection Standards

On February 6, 2015, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Federal OSHA) published a formal notice in the Federal Register rejecting Arizona’s state-specific residential fall protection (RFP) standards, which were enacted in 2012 and had been codified in A.R.S. §§ 23-492 through 492.09. The formal notice can be reviewed here.

As a result of Federal OSHA’s actions, all of the Arizona state-specific RFP standards in A.R.S. §§ 23-492 through 492.09 are deemed automatically repealed by operation of law. Effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, employers in Arizona must comply with the federal residential fall protection standards in 29 CFR 1926.501 et seq. (known as Subpart M).

To help the construction industry comply with the requirements of Subpart M, ADOSH will continue to offer free classes on the first and third Thursday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Industrial Commission of Arizona Auditorium, 800 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona, and through webinars scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month from 10:00 am to noon (check with ADOSH as some dates may be changed to accommodate holidays or venues). More information about these classes can be obtained from the current issue of ADOSH Advocate. Additional training options may be arranged through ADOSH’s consultation program by visiting the Industrial Commission of Arizona's website www.azica.gov or by calling (602) 542-1769 (Phoenix), (520) 628-5478 (Tucson) or (855) 268-5251 (Toll Free).