Construction Safety


Cranes and Derricks Standard to Be Published Oct. 3

It will create four options for qualification or certification of crane operators and apply to an estimated 96,000 cranes in the United States.

Arizona City to Pay $240,000 for Asbestos Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that an Arizona city will pay $240,000 to resolve a 2007 complaint against it for allegedly violating the asbestos provisions of the Clean Air Act.

ICC Develops New Standard for Building in Hurricane, High Wind Areas

The standard is an update to SSTD 10-99 and includes new provisions such as prescriptive designs for wind speeds up to 150 mph with three-second gusts, designs for cold-formed steel framing, and exterior wall coverings for high wind.

3 Contractors Connected with Fatal NY Crane Collapse Fined $313,500

"This case illustrates in stark terms that failure to follow required procedures can have wide-ranging and catastrophic consequences," said OSHA chief Edwin G. Foulke Jr.

Oregon OSHA Increases Tower Crane Inspections

The agency said it will evaluate the program's effectiveness and findings in July 2009.

Implosion Safety, Disaster Preparedness on Tap at Demolition Academy

Courses include a Demolition-Specific OSHA 10-Hour Certification, offered in both English and Spanish on Oct. 15 and training in confined space rescue and aerial lift equipment safety.

NIOSH Posts New Indoor Environmental Quality Topic Pages

Construction and renovation projects in office settings can adversely affect building occupants by the release of airborne particulates, biological contaminants, and gases. Careful planning for IEQ and the prevention of exposure during these activities is essential.

7 Companies Cited Following Fatality at Florida Hotel Renovation Site

The employee died in February after part of the structure failed and collapsed while workers were cutting concrete floor and wall sections of the Palm House Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla.



NY Mayor Signs New Construction Safety Laws, Issues 9/11 Health Report

One piece of legislation signed last week requires site safety managers to include in their plans a statement that workers have successfully completed a 10-hour OSHA course on construction safety and health within five years of working on the site.

Hangman's Noose at Job Site Prompts DOJ Investigation

Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Grace Chung Becker and Acting U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid announced the filing of a one count criminal complaint charging William Gould with interference with employment by threat of violence, a Class A misdemeanor.

HSE Campaign Seeks to Retire 5,000 Old Ladders

The nationwide ladder exchange program offers owners up to 50 percent off the price of the new ladder they get in return. HSE is also tackling slips and falls.

HSC: Few Families Take Action to Prevent No. 1 Cause of Home Injury

"We want people, especially those caring for children and older adults, to understand that making a few simple behavioral changes and inexpensive home modifications can protect their loved ones against falls," said Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy. "This is critical from early childhood to later in life--and all the years in between."

DOL Announces Drug-Free Work Week is Oct. 20-26

The U.S. Department of Labor yesterday announced that this year's national Drug-Free Work Week will take place Oct. 20 through 26. The purpose of Drug-Free Work Week is to educate employers, employees, and the general public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace.

Routine Inspections Result in First-Time CWA Violations for 3 Operators

The inspections were conducted to assess compliance with the EPA's nationwide storm water Construction General Permit, which requires operators of construction sites to plan for and implement storm water controls and to protect surface waters from common construction pollutants.

Stone Products Firm Charged with Failing to Abate Hazcom Hazards

After a follow-up investigation, the company also was cited with serious and repeat violations. In all, OSHA proposed penalties of $40,600. The company is contesting the citations.

Unused Trench Box Leads to 'Willful' Charge, $44,000 Propose Penalty

"There is no excuse for endangering employees and ignoring OSHA standards by having the proper safety equipment at the worksite but not using it," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's acting area director in Mobile, Ala.

ACCSH to Consider GHS Proposal for Classifying, Labeling Chemicals

The committee's two-day meeting in Washington, D.C., also will include a construction standards update from OSHA's directorate of construction.

ACHMM to Collapse Building in Minneapolis for Training

The live-action afternoon demolition will be part of the group’s national conference, Sept. 7-10.

Former NIOSH Director Howard Takes an ILO Position

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) SafeWork program today welcomed the acceptance by Dr John Howard, former director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, to serve as chair of the Steering Committee for the 5th edition of the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety.

22 Union Contractors Working in Minnesota Receive 'Safety Driven' Awards

"Safety is important to both the union members and contractors to ensure the health of workers and in building high quality construction," said Minnesota LECET Chairman Ron Thornburg.

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