Fighting the Feds over fall-protection

The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health could lose its authority to regulate construction work if it does not strengthen its fall protection rules. In a March 19 letter, OSHA Administrator David Michaels asserted that recent changes to the state’s fall protection rules makes them less protective than federal standards. At issue are the protections for employees working between six and 15 feet off the ground. Unless the state beefs up its rules, the federal agency says it will withdraw a $2.4 million grant, and may decide to directly assume construction-safety oversight in Arizona. Read more.