The Occupational Health & Safety Administration has announced that they are updating regulations on
in the maritime industry.
The scaffold, ladders, and other working surfaces regulations have not been updated since OSHA adopted in 1971 from the occupational health and safety act of 1970. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of all fatalities in shipyards come from falls to a lower level. Because of these statistics OSHA is revisiting their standards in hopes to lower the amount of fatalities from falls.
OSHA is asking that if you have any unreported incidents involving falls to contact them through your local office. Any information they can gather will help in revising the regulations to protect employees from potentially life threatening situations.
For the full detailed report on the upcoming revisions please visit the Federal Register.