Rulemaking news

Today, OSHA’s new final rule on slip, trip and fall hazards in general industry took effect. After years of rulemaking, the agency released the final rule in mid-November. OSHA says the rule “updates” general industry regulations for preventing slips, trips, and falls and also adds a new section on personal protective equipment, including requirements for using personal fall protection systems.

Following the inauguration, the incoming Trump administration ultimately will have to fill some 4,000 political appointee positions across the federal government, including in safety and health agencies, such as MSHA and OSHA. The outgoing Obama administration may yet have some rulemaking up its sleeve. What to expect? Gaze inside the crystal ball with us.