The leading cause of injury and death in the residential construction industry occurs from falls from elevation on the work site. A recent change in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations attempts to bridge the gap between this tragic reality and the builders as they attempt to remain OSHA-compliant.
While employers in the industry have enjoyed a relaxed standard since 1995, the agency has announced that builders and subcontractors would no longer be permitted to remain compliant under an interim standard that had (in reality) exempted those responsible for ensuring the safety of their workers from the full effect of OSHA fall protection standards. Hence, OSHA regulations were created specifically for residential construction.
