OSHA Seeks to Extend Bureaucratic Paperwork for Window Washers' Platforms
Published Date: 8/3/2026
Notice
Summary
OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance standard.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
You must have written emergency plans
If you are an employer using powered platforms, you must develop and implement a written emergency action plan for each type of powered platform operation and notify workers how to learn alarm systems, escape routes, and emergency procedures. You must review the parts of the plan each worker needs to know when they receive an initial assignment and after the plan is revised.
Inspections and certified recordkeeping required
Building owners must have a competent person inspect supporting structures and powered platform components at least annually, inspect each powered platform facility every 30 days (or prior to use if the work cycle is under 30 days), and inspect suspension wire ropes monthly (or before placing ropes into service if inactive 30 days or longer). Building owners must maintain written certification records of these inspections/tests—with date, competent person's signature, and equipment identifier—and disclose them to OSHA on request.
Labeling and tagging requirements for equipment
Employers must affix a load rating plate to each suspended unit showing the unit weight and rated load capacity, mount emergency electric operating devices in secured compartments with labeled instructions, and attach corrosion-resistant tags with specified information to suspension wire rope fastenings when installed or re-socketed. These labeling and tagging actions are required as part of the powered platform standard's information collection.
Worker training certification and retention
Employers must prepare a written certification after a worker completes powered platform training that includes the worker's identity, the employer's or trainer's signature, and the training completion date. Employers must keep each worker's training certificate for the duration of the worker's employment and make it available to OSHA on request.
Paperwork burden slightly reduced (307 hours)
OSHA is requesting extension of OMB approval for the information collections tied to the Powered Platforms standard and says the estimated total burden will decrease from 130,776 hours to 130,469 hours (a reduction of 307 hours). The notice lists 900 respondents, 175,483 responses, an estimated total of 130,469 burden hours, and an estimated O&M cost of $0.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous: 2026-15669, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Application for Use of Public Space by Non-DOL Agencies in the Frances Perkins Building
The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM)- sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.
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