Skyline Environmental, Inc. (Skyline) has noted that New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSHA) inspectors are repeatedly issuing citations for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Walking & Working Surfaces standards. According to OSHA, slips, trips and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. These accidents cause approximately 15 % of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. Typically, PEOSHA categorizes these OSHA standard violations as Serious.

Skyline is summarizing for your convenience and use, the following listing of the most common Walking & Working Surfaces standard violations being issued.

1. All permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked and kept clear [29 CFR 1910.22 (b) (1) & 1910.176(a) et seq.].
2. Floor load limit weights shall be posted in storage areas [29 CFR 1910.22 (d) et seq.].
3. Covers or guardrails shall be provided to prevent persons from falling into drainage ditches, open pits, vats, tanks, etc. [29 CFR 1910.22(c) or 1910.176(g) et seq.].
4. All hatchway and floor openings shall be guarded [29 CFR 1910.23(a) et seq.].
5. Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder [29 CFR 1910.23(c) et seq.].
6. Every runway shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent) on all open sides 4 feet or more above floor or ground level. Wherever tools, machine parts, or materials are likely to be used on the runway, a toe board shall also be provided on each exposed side [29 CFR 1910.23(c) et seq.].
7. Regardless of height, open-sided floors, walkways, platforms, or runways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, etc., and similar hazards, shall be guarded with a standard railing and a toe board [29 CFR 1910.23(c) et seq.].
8. All fixed industrial stairways shall be provided with a stair railing on all open sides [29 CFR 1910.24(h) et seq.].
9. All fixed stairways with a width in excess of 88 inches shall be provided with a center stair railing [29 CFR 1910.23(d) (1) (v) et seq.].
10. A seven-foot vertical clearance distance shall be maintained above any stair tread [29 CFR 1910.24 et seq.].
11. Guardrails and toe boards shall be provided on all open sides and ends of scaffolds more than 10 feet above the ground or floor [29 CFR 1910.28(a) et seq.].
12. 12. All scaffolds and their components shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least four times the maximum intended load [29 CFR 1910.28(a) et seq.].

PEOSHA is typically applying the toe board standard requirement (i.e. see item 7) to all wastewater treatment plant walkways above aeration tanks, clarifiers, etc.

Please note that compliance with this Working Surfaces Standard listing does not assure full compliance with all PEOSHA/OSHA standards.