OSHA urged to require Arizona to meet federal standards on fall protection

The American Society of Safety Engineers is asking OSHA to address a situation in Arizona that could threaten the safety of workers exposed to fall hazards in residential construction.

Arizona’s governor has signed a bill into law saying that fall protection standards need only be enforced by Arizona’s state OSH agency when workers are at heights of 15 feet or more. That means that the Arizona standard is less stringent than the federal standard, which requires fall protection in residential construction at heights of six feet or more.

Under federal law, states that have their own OSHA agencies must enforce standards at least as effective as those followed by federal OSHA.

ASSE has sent a letter on behalf of its Arizona members to Dr. David Michaels, OSHA’s director, asking him to require Arizona OSHA to follow the federal standard.

“Taking such action provides an opportunity to send a clear message about OSHA’s responsibilities under the OSH Act to provide appropriate oversight of the state plans,” the letter said.

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