According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips and falls cause the majority of general industry workplace accidents and cost employers billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and business. The good news is that OSHA believes many of these injuries can be prevented by following existing regulations and recommended safe work practices.
OSHA regulates slips, trips & falls under Subpart D, "Walking-Working Surfaces." These requirements apply to all general industry workplaces. It also covers all walking and work surfaces within these workplaces regardless of operations, including floors, aisles, stairs, ladders, platforms, roofs, etc. View compliance deadlines.
Under these regulations, employers are required to identify and evaluate slip, trip and fall hazards and provide appropriate personal protective equipment, conduct regular and periodic inspections and maintenance of all walking and work surfaces in their workplace, and provide training that enables employees to recognize the hazards of falling and the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards.
This can be a real challenge for employers, but these requirements provide critical steps in reducing or eliminating slip hazards, trip hazards and fall hazards in your workplace.
Want to learn more? Download our Walking-Working Surfaces: OSHA Takes Major Steps to Overhaul Slips, Trips, and Falls Standard Whitepaper for a more detailed overview.
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When must employers comply?
The majority of the new requirements under Subpart D were effective January 17, 2017; however, a few of the deadlines are different. See below for important compliance dates.
Compliance Date
November 18, 2036
Subpart D §1910.28(b)(9)(i)(D)
Deadline by which all fixed ladders must be equipped with a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system.
Compliance Date
January 17, 2017
Deadline by which all requirements not addressed in the extended compliance dates must be met, including (but not limited to):
- Hazard assessment
- Inspections
- Fall protection
Compliance Date
May 17, 2017
Subpart D §1910.30(a) and (b)
Deadline by which employers must train employees on fall and equipment hazards.
Shop Training SolutionsCompliance Date
November 20, 2017
Subpart D §1910.27(b)(1)
Deadline by which employers must obtain written information from the building owner that anchorage systems meet the regulatory requirements.
Compliance Date
November 19, 2018
Subpart D §1910.28(b)(9)(i)(A)
Deadline by which employers must ensure existing fixed ladders (more than 24 feet above a lower level) are equipped with a cage, well, ladder safety system, or personal fall arrest system.
Compliance Date
November 19, 2018
Subpart D §1910.28(b)(9)(i)(B)
Deadline by which employers must ensure new fixed ladders (more than 24 feet above a lower level) are equipped with a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system.
Walking-Working Surfaces Solutions
Understand the Requirements
Inspection Checklists for General Industry Manual
Catch potential OSHA violations before the government does with the Inspection Checklists for General Industry Manual. You’ll get the print and online edition, plus 1-year update service.
OSHA General Industry Manuals
Both OSHA General Industry Manuals offer explanations of OSHA workplace safety regulations, including a new section on the Walking-Working Surfaces Rule. You’ll get the print and online editions, plus 1-year update service.
OSHA Compliance Industry-Specific Manuals
Each industry-specific manual has been developed for different industries (transportation, retail, healthcare & warehousing) to aid in OSHA compliance. You’ll get the print and online editions, plus 1-year update service.
Workplace Safety Manuals
Get the information you need to correct potential OSHA violations and maintain a safe and compliant workplace with these workplace safety manuals. You’ll get the print and online editions, plus 1-year update service.
KellerOnline® Tool
Get how-to-comply guidance for walking and work surfaces with the KellerOnline® safety management tool. Use this comprehensive resource to plan and execute the Rule, including inspections, checklists, safety plans, and training. Plus, get info covering over 900 additional topics.
Workplace Compliance Newsletters
Get up-to-date OSHA safety and compliance news with the workplace compliance newsletters.
Comply with the Requirements
Slips, Trips & Falls Training for General Industry
Learn about the Walking-Working Surfaces rule & how to comply, including OSHA ladder & fall protection requirements with many training programs in multiple formats.
Fall Protection PPE
Protect your workers from potential workplace hazards with our broad selection of Personal Protective Equipment, including fall protection harnesses, limiters, lanyards and more.
Strengthen Your Compliance Program
Walking-Working Surfaces Consulting Services
Let our experts customize and deliver on-site regulatory guidance and safety improvements through Walking-Working Surfaces Compliance Assessment and Walking-Working Surfaces Training Services. Ensure compliance with hazard assessments and training specific to your organization.
Slips, Trips & Falls Charts/Posters
Help employees identify slip, trip & fall hazards and prevent and respond to workplace injuries with awareness posters and charts.
Slips, Trips and Falls Signs, Labels & Tags
Communicate safety messages with signs, labels & tags indicating slip hazards, trip hazards and fall hazards. Plus, choose from thousands of other safety signs, or create your own custom sign.
Testimonials — What Other Customers Are Saying
"Thanks to consultant Steve Canney's guidance, First Supply successfully navigated OSHA's Walking-Working Surfaces hazard assessment. Canney knew the regulations backwards and forwards. This mastery, coupled with his friendliness, made him a pleasure to work with. I would confidently recommend J. J. Keller's Consulting Service to any business looking for a hands-on, expert-level evaluation of its safety programs."
"An excellent overview of what is expected … using this [Walking-Working Surfaces] DVD with the employee handbook is an excellent teaching tool."
Did you know?
The NEW Walking-Working Surfaces Rule affects more than 100 million workers and approximately 6.7 million workplaces, including:
- Manufacturing
- Warehousing
- Utilities
- Oil & gas extraction
- Retailers
- Offices