OSHA moves residential roof transition date to December 15, 2012

The residential roofing industry has seen several changes since June 2011, 

when OSHA rescinded its directive for residential fall protection requirements. Several deadlines have seemingly come and gone adding to the confusion regarding when those working at heights within residential construction needed to be in compliance with OHSA’s new guidelines.

The new requirements within the residential fall protection directive 

STD 03-11-002 remain in effect, meaning employers must move to adopt these new requirement, OSHA has implemented a transition period for temporary enforcement measures for 19 months until December 15, 2012 which include on-site compliance assistance, penalty reduction, extended abatement dates and increased outreach programs in an attempt to educate the residential construction industry of these new requirements.

OSHA and NSC renew alliance to address fall prevention The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed its alliance with the National Safety Council (NSC) to continue enhancing worker safety and health by addressing construction hazards, injury and illness prevention programs and motor vehicle safety. “Our continued alliance with NSC will focus on, among other things, preventing worker injuries and fatalities from falls in construction,” said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “Falls cause more fatalities than any other hazard in the construction industry. We look forward to collaborating with the NSC to educate and train employers and workers on preventing job hazards.” During the two-year agreement, the alliance will develop fact sheets on the benefits of employers establishing an injury and illness prevention program, hazard identification and control topics that should be included in worker training, fall prevention and best practices for reporting near misses. The alliance also will develop a case study on preventing falls from heights in construction, focusing on the causes of fall protection failures and how employers can assure an effective and reliable fall prevention program. NSC is a nonprofit, public service organization, founded in 1913, that offers training, educational programs and materials, consulting and advocacy on various safety and health topics. The organization represents 14,000 employers and more than six million workers employed by NSC members. Through its alliance program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits. For more information, visitosha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit osha.gov.