OSHA Trip Hazard Regulations

Trip-and-falls rank high among the most common accidents in the workplace. Since its creation in 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has sought to prevent workplace falls through trip-hazard regulations that require employers to ensure walking and working surfaces do not endanger employees.

Incidence

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal workplace falls account for 13 percent of all occupational fatalities.

Definitions

• OSHA's regulations cover more than 100 walking and working surfaces that are defined in Regulation 1910 Subpart D.

Industries

• Almost all industries--general, shipyard and longshoring--must comply with OSHA's trip-hazard regulations

Types

• Trip-hazard regulations go far beyond flat walking surfaces. They relate to fixed industrial stairs, portable metal stairs and ladders, fixed ladders and scaffolding.

Assistance

• OSHA offers assistance to employers who wish to find out whether their work sites are in compliance with trip-hazard regulations. Employers may request that OSHA perform an on-site consultation and recommend areas for improvement. The consultations are free, and employers are not penalized if violations are found.

Publications

• OSHA provides fact sheets that explain employers' responsibilities to prevent workplace falls by removing known and foreseeable hazards from walking surfaces. These fact sheets are available in PDF format on OSHA's website.