Hunton Employment & Labor Perspectives

On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) launched a new National Emphasis Program (“NEP”) to prevent or otherwise reduce workplace falls (the “Fall NEP”).  In its press release, OSHA claims that workplace falls are the “leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections.”  While the Fall NEP took effect on May 1, 2023, there is a 90-day outreach period, meaning that programmed inspections will first begin on or around July 30, 2023.  The Fall NEP has no expiration date, but it will be reviewed within six months of issuance to determine its effectiveness and whether it will be continued.