Washington — OSHA is revoking its standard on house falls in marine terminals.
According to 1917.2, house falls are “spans and supporting members, winches, blocks, and standing and running rigging forming part of a marine terminal and used with a vessel’s cargo gear to load or unload by means of married falls.”
In a final rule published April 17, OSHA says the marine terminal industry no longer uses house falls because most cargo is shipped in containers and moved by cranes. The agency adds that it has no records of any citations for a violation of the standard since 2012.
“OSHA did not receive any public comment or evidence suggesting earlier citations,” the final rule states.
The standard, first issued in 1983, was intended to provide employees with a safe means of access for working with house fall blocks. It also had provisions for designated employees to inspect equipment such as chains, shackles, swivels and blocks.
