Rhode Island Fall Protection (Construction): What you need to know

Rhode Island is not a “state plan’ state; that is, it does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program. Therefore, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act governs workplace safety and health in the private sector (commercial establishments, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses except private schools).

Rhode Island has adopted the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fall protection rule by reference for public sector employers.

Certain contractors that bid on municipal and state construction projects must provide construction safety education to their on-site employees.

OSHA administers and enforces occupational safety and health in the private sector in the state. The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s (DLT) Occupational Safety Unit administers and enforces occupational safety and health rules in public sector workplaces, including certain construction contractors. The Professional Regulation Unit administers the rules for construction contractor training.

All contractors that bid on municipal and state construction projects with a total project cost of $100,000 or more must provide an OSHA "Ten-Hour Construction Safety Program" for their on-site employees.

Every contractor employee must carry a card issued by OSHA certifying his or her successful completion of the OSHA 10-hour training program at all times while work is actually being performed on municipal and state construction projects. Such employees are not authorized to transfer their certification card to another person.

Agency inspections. DLT compliance inspectors have the right and ...