Unified Fall Protection Rulemaking
L&I conducted rulemaking to update the requirements for fall protection contained in Chapter 296-880 WAC, Unified Safety Standards for Fall Protection. L&I Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) initiated this rulemaking in response to a letter received from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA contends that some provisions of the current rule are not at least as effective as OSHA general industry and construction standards, a requirement of the Washington State Plan.
Status
On September 20, 2022 the final rule was adopted and goes into effect on November 1, 2022.
Meetings & Timeline
| Date (subject to change) | Activity |
|---|---|
| March 21, 2022 | Virtual Stakeholder Meeting. See Meeting Summary |
| March 23, 2022 | Virtual Stakeholder Meeting. See Meeting Summary |
| May 17, 2022 | File CR-101 (Preproposal statement of inquiry) WSR 22-11-070. |
| July 5, 2022 | File CR-102 (Proposed Rulemaking) WSR 22-14-097. Start public comment period with draft rule language and supporting documents. |
| August 9, 2022 - 1:00 p.m | In-Person Public Hearing(s) Location: Dept. of Labor & Industries |
| August 11, 2022 - 10:00 a.m. | Location: Hilton Garden Inn Spokane Airport |
| August 15, 2022 - 1:00 p.m. | Virtual Public Hearing via Zoom |
| Tuesday, August 23, 2022 3:00 p.m. | Virtual Public Hearing via Zoom |
| August 30, 2022 – 5:00 p.m. |
Public comment period deadline. |
| September 20, 2022 | Adopt rule by filing CR-103 form, WSR 22-19-082 |
| November 1, 2022 | State rule becomes effective. |
Learn more about our rulemaking process and terminology
Rule Drafts & documents
- Final Adopted Language
- Concise Explanatory Statement Chapter 296-880 WAC
- March, 2022 discussion draft
- OSHA letter to DOSH, August, 2021
For additional information on Fall Protection Rulemaking meetings, contact Carmyn Shute or 360-902-6081.
Please contact Erich Smith with any technical questions about the Unified Fall Protection rule: Erich Smith or 206-515-2786.
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If you would like to receive email updates regarding this proposed rulemaking project and future stakeholder meetings, please sign up to receive email updates.