The Walking-Working Surfaces; Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) standard, 29 CFR 1910.22, was published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2016 at pages 82494-83006 (513 pages). Most of the rule becomes effective Jan. 18, 2017 but some provisions have delayed effective dates.

Falls from heights and on the same level (a working surface) are among the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. OSHA estimates that 202,066 serious (lost-workday) injuries and 345 fatalities occur annually among workers directly affected by the final standard.