Occupational Safety and Health Administration revokes its House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard
As of our last check on November 2, 2026, this is in effect, since April 17, 2026.
We check the Federal Register daily for later actions. We check federal court opinions for rulings on published rules weekly, on Mondays. A ruling can take time to reach us, so not finding one here does not mean there is none.
In short
- What changed
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) removed its House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard, section 1917.41 of title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), effective April 17, 2026. That standard covered span beams, safe access and daily gear inspections for house fall operations.
- Who's affected
- Employers in marine terminal and longshoring operations, such as port and harbor operations and marine cargo handling. OSHA-approved State Plans do not have to change their own standards.
- What to do
- This rule creates no new duties for employers. If your terminal still uses house falls, OSHA says the Occupational Safety and Health Act's general duty clause still requires you to protect employees from the known hazards of that use.
What changed
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From the sourceI. Executive Summary
This final rule revokes OSHA's House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard, 29 CFR 1917.41
OSHA revoked its House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard at 29 CFR 1917.41.
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From the sourceIII. Background
The House Falls Standard requires that: span beams be secured to prevent accidental dislodgement; a safe means of access be provided for employees working with house fall blocks; and designated employees inspect chains, links, shackles, swivels, blocks and other loose gear used in house fall operations before each day's use.
The removed standard required that span beams be secured, that employees working with house fall blocks have a safe means of access, and that designated employees inspect loose gear used in house fall operations before each day's use.
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From the sourceIV. Explanation of the Revocation of the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard
the marine terminals industry does not currently employ house falls because most cargo has been containerized and is moved by cranes
Also: IV. Explanation of the Revocation of the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard
OSHA has no records of any citations for a violation of this standard
OSHA says the marine terminals industry no longer uses house falls because most cargo is containerized and moved by cranes, and OSHA has no record of citations under the standard.
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From the sourceVI.A. Requirements for States With OSHA-Approved State Plans
Consequently, State Plans are not obligated to make any changes to their existing standards in response to this final rule.
OSHA-approved State Plans are not required to change their existing standards because of this rule.
Who is affected
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From the sourceV. Final Economic Analysis
This final rule will, however, result in a net cost savings for employers in marine terminal and longshoring operations, which are the only industries throughout OSHA's jurisdiction affected by the rescission of 29 CFR 1917.41.
OSHA says employers in marine terminal and longshoring operations are the only industries affected by removing the standard.
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From the sourceV. Final Economic Analysis
OSHA estimates that there are currently 2,617 establishments in maritime affected by OSHA standards addressing house falls
Also: V. Final Economic Analysis
These establishments are found in the following industries: Port and Harbor Operations (NAICS 488310), Marine Cargo Handling (NAICS 488320), Navigational Services to Shipping (NAICS 488330), and Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (NAICS 488390).
OSHA estimates 2,617 establishments are affected, in port and harbor operations, marine cargo handling, navigational services to shipping, and other support activities for water transportation.
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Our analysisVI.A. Requirements for States With OSHA-Approved State Plans
State Plans do not have to amend their standards, although they may opt to do so.
Also: VI.A. Requirements for States With OSHA-Approved State Plans
allows State Plans to be more stringent than OSHA in protecting the safety and health of workers in their respective jurisdictions
Employers in states with OSHA-approved State Plans may still be subject to a state version of the house falls rule, because State Plans may keep stricter standards and are not required to drop theirs.
What it means in practice
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From the sourceV. Final Economic Analysis
OSHA estimates that this deregulatory action will result in $15,377 in cost savings annually.
Also: V. Final Economic Analysis
OSHA estimates that this would result in cost savings of $9,115 annually.
OSHA estimates annual cost savings of $15,377 across the industry, with a mid-range estimate of $9,115, mostly from less time spent learning the standard.
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From the sourceIV. Explanation of the Revocation of the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard
if OSHSPA is correct and house falls are still used in rare cases, and OSHA revokes its house falls standard, employers in marine terminals would be obligated under the OSH Act's general duty clause (29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)) to protect employees from the known hazards arising from their use
OSHA says that where house falls are still used in rare cases, employers in marine terminals would remain obligated under the general duty clause to protect employees from the known hazards.
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From the sourceVI.B. OMB Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This final rule imposes no new information collection requirements
The rule adds no new paperwork or information collection requirements.
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Our analysisV. Final Economic Analysis
OSHA's estimate of cost savings may underestimate total cost savings if the elimination of the labor burden for regulatory familiarization extends to the avoidance of unnecessary safety training of employees.
For most terminals, the practical change is small: OSHA believes house falls are not in current use, so the main effect is that safety staff no longer need to learn or train on this standard.
What to do
AmendSignal analysis sorts these by whether this document changes them.
Already required
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From the sourceIV. Explanation of the Revocation of the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard
if OSHSPA is correct and house falls are still used in rare cases, and OSHA revokes its house falls standard, employers in marine terminals would be obligated under the OSH Act's general duty clause (29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)) to protect employees from the known hazards arising from their use
Employers in marine terminals that still use house falls remain obligated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act's general duty clause to protect employees from the known hazards of that use.
Worth considering
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Our suggestionIV. Explanation of the Revocation of the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard
if OSHSPA is correct and house falls are still used in rare cases, and OSHA revokes its house falls standard, employers in marine terminals would be obligated under the OSH Act's general duty clause (29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)) to protect employees from the known hazards arising from their use
Consider confirming whether any of your terminal operations still use house falls, and if so, keep hazard controls in place for that work.
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Our suggestionV. Final Economic Analysis
eliminate the time necessary for new establishments and newly hired occupational health and safety specialists at existing establishments to familiarize themselves with the requirements found in 29 CFR 1917.41
Consider updating safety program documents and training materials that cite 29 CFR 1917.41.
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Our suggestionVI.A. Requirements for States With OSHA-Approved State Plans
State Plans do not have to amend their standards, although they may opt to do so.
If you operate in a state with an OSHA-approved State Plan, consider checking whether the state keeps its own house falls standard.
Open questions
The source leaves these open. We'll update this record if a later document answers them.
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Will states with OSHA-approved State Plans keep their own house falls standards?
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Are house falls still in use at some marine terminals?
Related changes
History
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House Falls in Marine Terminals Source (opens in a new tab)