G/TBT/N/USA/550/Rev.1

8 April 2026

(26-2738)

Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade

Original: English

1.

Notifying Member: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other:

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Personal protective equipment (fall protection systems) Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene (ICS code(s): 13.100); Accident and disaster control (ICS code(s): 13.200); Protective equipment (ICS code(s): 13.340)

5.

Details of notified document(s) (title, number of pages and languages, means of access): Walking-Working Surfaces; (6 page(s), in English)

Link to notified document(s) and/or contact details for agency or authority which can provide copies upon request:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/USA/26_01936_00_e.pdf

6.

Description of content: Proposed rule; request for comments - This proposed rule removes a deadline in OSHA's Walking-Working Surfaces standard by which all fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level must be equipped with personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems. Additionally, OSHA is seeking comment on repealing or revising the requirement that employers use personal fall arrest systems on all fixed ladders over 24 feet tall and instead permitting employers to continue to use ladder cages or wells.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of human health or safety; Cost saving and productivity enhancement

8.

Relevant documents:

91 Federal Register (FR) 17165, 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-06/html/2026-06578.htm

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-06/pdf/2026-06578.pdf

This proposed rule; request for comments is identified by Docket Number OSHA-2025-0072. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0072/document and provides access to primary documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.

Previous actions notified under the symbol G/TBT/N/USA/550 are identified by Docket Number OSHA-2007-0072; the link provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Provision of comments

Final date for comments: 5 June 2026

[ ] 60 days from notification

Comments and other information, including requests for a hearing, must be received on or before 5 June 2026.

Informal public hearing: OSHA will schedule an informal public hearing on the rule if requested during the comment period. If a hearing is requested, the location and date of the hearing, procedures for interested parties to notify the agency of their intention to participate, and procedures for participants to submit their testimony and documentary evidence will be announced in the Federal Register.

WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pm Eastern Time on 5 June 2026. Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with OSHA and will also be submitted to the Docket on Regulations.gov if received within the comment period.

Contact details of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification:

Please submit comments to the USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point by E-mail: usatbtep@nist.gov