Walking-working surfaces

Overview

Everyone knows that surfaces do not walk or work, yet Oregon OSHA has many requirements that apply to them. So it’s important to know what they are. Essentially, a walking-working surface is any surface on which a person walks or works. But the devil is in the details. You will find a nuanced definition of a walking-working surface in Oregon OSHA's construction rules. See: Division 3, Subdivision M: 437-003-1500(7).

You will find the general industry requirements for walking-working surfaces in Division 2, Subdivision D: Walking-working surfaces.

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Fall protection for construction activities
  English Order printed copy 05/09/2019
- Fall protection for the construction industry
  Protección contra caídas en la industria de la construcción
  Spanish Order printed copy 01/03/2018
Checklists
- Elevated surfaces
  English
- Floor and wall openings
  English
- Stairs and stairways checklist
  English PDF version 02/25/2019
- Walkways
  English
- Work environment: general
  English
Fact sheets
- Fall protection trigger heights for general industry
  Enumera las alturas de activación de las superficies para caminar o trabajar para los lugares de trabajo de la industria en general
  Spanish 03/27/2019
- Fall protection trigger heights for general industry
  English 03/12/2019
- Guardrails, stair rails, and handrails in general industry workplaces
  English 12/12/2018
- Tarping and fall protection - information for truckers
  English 05/16/2018
- Walking-working surfaces: At a glance
  English 09/06/2017
- Walking-working surfaces: Designated areas
  English 09/08/2017
References
- Rules with Requirements
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

No items are currently available

Rules and rule-related

Advisory Committee

Walking-Working Surfaces

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision D, Walking-Working Surfaces
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision I, Personal Protective Equipment
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision M, Fall Protection
  2-2016 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision X, Stairways and Ladders
  3-2015 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision D, Work Surfaces
  9-2006 Word version
Interpretations
- Fall protection from ladders, vehicles, or trailers during construction activities
  04/18/2018
- Fall protection: maintenance - vs - construction
  03/21/2018
- Fish hatcheries
  02/25/2011
- Guardrails and alternative barriers such as parapet walls
  07/05/2017
- Testing of rope descent system anchorages on buildings
  02/06/2018
Program Directives
- Aisles and Passageways: Appropriately Marked Aisles and Passageways
  Purpose: To provide interpretation of “appropriately marked” as it applies to permanent aisles and passageways in fixed workplaces where mechanical handling equipment is used on dirt floors or floors that are covered by sand or fine dusts due to ongoing daily operations.
  A-054 05/29/2018
- Fall Protection: General Industry
  Purpose: To clarify the applicability of 1910.23(c)(1) and (3), and OAR 437-002-0134(5) where employees are exposed to fall hazards.
  A-197 11/01/2017
- Guardrail Height in General Industry
  Purpose: This instruction provides guidance for the equitable enforcement of 1910.23(e)(1) as it pertains to the acceptable height of guardrails.
  A-173 03/16/2018
- Handrails and Railings in General Industry
  Purpose: The purpose of this directive is to provide guidelines when evaluating the clearance between railings and walls or other objects.
  A-067 03/16/2018
- Ladders: Fixed Ladders used on Outdoor Advertising Structures and Billboards
  Purpose: This is to inform Oregon OSHA staffs of a federal OSHA Instruction STD 01-01.014, which must be used by Oregon OSHA personnel when inspecting employees performing work on billboards and related equipment.
  A-178 06/15/2018
- Ladders: Fixed Ladders Used Only for Emergency Evacuations
  Purpose: To establish Oregon OSHA’s position on the applicability of fall protection requirements under 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(A) – (D) and 1926.1053(a)(18) & (19) for fixed ladders used only for emergency evacuations.
  A-142 05/29/2018
- Ladders: Manhole Metal Ladders for Telecommunications Workers
  Purpose: Portable Ladders: Manhole Metal Ladders for Telecommunication Activities
  A-033 05/29/2018
- Ladders: Manhole Steps in Manholes
  To clarify the applicability of 1910.24(b), Manhole Steps, where employees use manhole steps in walls and conical top sections of manholes.
  A-021 05/29/2018
- Scaffolds in Construction
  Purpose: This instruction establishes inspection procedures and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of the scaffold standards for construction.
  A-218 02/07/2017

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Slips, Trips, and Falls
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Slips, Trips, and Falls from the Resource Center

Watch Online