The US Department of Labor announced that OSHA has begun a National Emphasis Program to prevent falls, the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries.
In 2021 alone there were 5,190 workplace injuries and 680 of them were from falls. The program establishes guidance for locating and inspecting fall hazards and allows OSHA compliance officers to open inspections whenever they observe someone working at heights. If a compliance officer determines an inspection is not necessary after entering a worksite and observing work activities, they will provide outreach on fall protection and leave the site.