“The previously announced phase-in period for home builders to comply with the new Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction has been extended until March 15, 2013 to allow the industry more time to learn about the rule and get compliance assistance from the federal agency,” says NAHB (“Under Pressure from Home Builders, OSHA Delays Fall Protection Guideline Changes”). “NAHB has long held that the new regulations -- including requirements that all residential construction companies must ensure that any employees or subcontractors doing work that’s six feet above ground or floor level must be protected with guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest systems -- could actually cause greater danger on the job site than using alternate methods that home builders say are safer... In its announcement Dec. 11, OSHA indicated that more time was needed to make sure the construction industry knows how to comply with the rule,” NAHB reports.
