The new Walking-Working Surfaces rule removes all existing scaffolding requirements from Subpart D and requires employers to comply with the construction industry standards in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L — Scaffolds.
The OSHA standard sets performance-based criteria to protect employees from scaffold-related hazards such as falls, falling objects, structural instability, electrocution, or overloading. It also addresses training and various types of scaffolds, as well as falling object protection, ladders, weather conditions, aerial lifts, and stilts.
The rule applies to all general industry employers using scaffolds in the workplace.
OSHA’s scaffolding standard has several key provisions: