California Lowers Fall Protection Standards: New 6-Foot Rule for Construction & Roofing

Cal/OSHA Aligns Fall Protection Standards with Federal Regulations

The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has responded to pressure from Federal OSHA by voting to align its fall protection trigger for residential construction and roofing with federal standards, now set at 6 feet. This marks a significant shift, as California was the only state operating its own OSHA regulations without adhering to the federal mandate requiring fall protection for workers at heights exceeding 6 feet.

Previously, Cal/OSHA’s regulations specified a 7.5-foot or 15-foot trigger, depending on the type of work being performed. The final rules have been submitted to the California Office of Administrative Law for approval, with implementation expected by July 1, 2025, as requested by Federal OSHA.

Importance for Construction Firms

If your business operates in the construction sector, understanding these new regulations is crucial. Many employers, especially those in roofing, will need to make significant adjustments to their safety protocols to ensure compliance.

Overview of the New Rules

Under the revised regulations, fall protection measures for heights of 6 feet or more will include:

• Personal fall-protection systems (e.g., harnesses, safety belts)
• Scaffolding
• Guardrails
• Safety nets

Passive systems like scaffolding, guardrails, and safety nets are preferred. If these cannot be implemented, a personal fall-protection system must be used, in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

Current and Revised Trigger Heights

Under existing Cal/OSHA rules, trigger heights for construction activities include:

• 30 feet (2 stories) for connecting structural steel
• 20 feet for most roofing work
• 15 feet for panelized roof systems, residential framing, and roofing activities

Additionally, fall protection is required at 7.5 feet for unprotected platforms and 6 feet for tasks involving rebar or similar projections.

Examples of activities that will now require fall protection at 6 feet include:

• Roofing
• Working on floors and other walking surfaces (down from 15 feet)
• Walking on top plates, joists, rafters, trusses, or beams (down from 15 feet)
• Installing starter boards, roof sheathing, and fascia boards

Key Takeaway

With these impending changes, construction firms and contractors must act now to comply with the new standards. This may involve investing in fall-protection systems, which can be a significant expense, particularly for stationary setups. Expect Cal/OSHA to enforce these new regulations rigorously.

Future Developments

According to the Cal/OSHA Reporter, this is just the beginning. A “Phase II” is planned, aiming to extend the 6-foot fall protection requirement to all construction activities. Rulemaking for this phase may commence in the coming months.

Visit the official document here.