OSHA Revokes Slip Resistance Portion of Steel Erection Standard

OSHA has revoked part of its Steel Erection Standard for the slip resistance of skeletal structural steel because the test methods it referenced aren't ready, according to an industry report. Employers may be unable to comply with the slip resistance requirement. The change took effect immediately.

"There continues to be a debate within the industry on the issue of reliability of the resistance testing devices," according to commenters. OSHA said it has no completed precision and bias statements.

The standard was issued in 2001 by the Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee, which wanted slip-resistant coatings because of evidence workers were slipping and falling when working on painted or coated structural steel surfaces that were wet from rain or condensation.

The standard was challenged in the U. S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by the Steel Coalition and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute. On April 3, 2003, OSHA entered into a settlement agreement, agreeing to allow interested parties to present evidence on the progress that has been made on slip resistant coatings and test methods. OSHA agreed to evaluate the evidence and issue a rule on Jan. 18, 2006, but was unable to do so because of the inadequate test methods.