OSHA rules on hoisting in demolition

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule on April 23 that applies the requirements of the August 2010 Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard to demolition work and underground construction.

The application of this rule is intended to protect workers from hazards associated with hoisting equipment used during construction activities, according to OSHA.

The new final rule streamlines OSHA’s standards by eliminating the separate cranes and derricks standard currently used for underground and demolition work and corrects errors made to the underground construction and demolition standards in the 2010 rulemaking.

The final rule becomes effective on May 23. For more information on the ruling, visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-04-23/html/2013-09153.htm