On May 1, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to prevent and reduce workplace falls. For the last 12 years, 29 CFR 1926.501 (Duty to Have Fall Protection) has topped OSHA’s list of most frequently cited standards. Despite the agency’s enforcement efforts, falls from heights remain the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries across all industries. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the OSHA Information System (OIS), falls to a lower level accounted for 13% of all worker fatalities between 2014 and 2021. In the construction industry, falls to lower levels caused 32% of all fatalities during this same period. The NEP became effective immediately.
OSHA Launches Nationwide Program Focusing on Workplace Falls – USA
