Construction Safety


Two Roofing Firms Face $295,000 in Fines Following Worker's Fatal 40-Foot Fall

"Falls are the number-one reason workers performing construction work are hurt or killed. There is no excuse for an employer in the construction industry to not provide the necessary equipment and training for workers performing roofing work," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo.

OSHA Interpretations Flowing Again

The latest two are dated Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Both concern interpretations of construction standards.

DOL Strategic Plan Sets Lofty Safety Goals

The 2016 target for federal agencies' rate for lost-time injuries and illnesses is 1.07, which is a 27 percent improvement from 2009's 1.48, according to the DOL plan.

Worker's Death at Paper Mill in Niagara Falls Leads to $75K in Fines

The worker was crushed when he became caught between a fixed metal barrier and a large paper roll that was moving on a conveyor. OSHA identified other hazardous conditions that were not related to the fatality; those resulted in two repeat and two serious citations.

Pipeline Firm Digs Up $62,800 in Fines for Excavation Hazards

The company is being cited with two repeat violations and $56,000 in proposed penalties for failing to inspect a trench after conditions changed. In addition, the company is being cited for exposing workers to engulfment hazards by not having a protective system in place to prevent a trench collapse.

ICC Offers Free Download of Energy Code

According to DOE, the 2009 IECC now available will produce approximately 15 percent in residential energy efficiency gains compared to the 2006 edition.

Harwood Targeted Grants for Green Jobs, MSDs, Nano, More

Sixteen organizations receive $2.75 million in one-year grants to develop training materials about nanomaterials, work zone safety, green roofing jobs, beryllium, and several others.

Porta-King Penalized $124,000 for Hazardous Spray Painting, More

The violations address hazards associated with spray painting outside of a predetermined, designated spray booth, and the use of powered industrial truck fork extensions without manufacturer notification, approval and determination of lifting capacity.



Updated Hydraulic Breaker Safety Manual Available

Expanded from 48 to 68 pages, the AEM manual covers current best practices for using carrier mounted hydraulic breakers on skid steer loaders, compact excavators, hydraulic excavators, and loader backhoes.

Painting Contractor Fined $225,200 for Scaffold, Fall Hazards

"Scaffolds must be properly erected and fall protection provided to employees when they work on scaffolds at heights of 10 feet or more, yet this employer has repeatedly neglected to implement these basic, commonsense and legally required safeguards," said Anthony Ciuffo, OSHA's Long Island area director in Westbury.

ABC National Construction Safety Awards Applications Due

The deadline is Sept. 24 for National Safety Excellence Awards being presented in February 201 in Orlando, Fla.

OSHA Awards $8M in Safety, Health Training Grants

OSHA recently awarded $8 million in Susan Harwood Capacity Building Grants to 45 organizations, including nonprofit and community/faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities. The grants will assist these organizations in providing safety and health training, and educational programs for workers and employers.

This photo from www.skagitcounty.info is just a hint of the tulips that make the county world famous.

Despite Budget Woes, WISHA Issuing 2011 Safety Calendar

Some of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries' operations were closed Tuesday because of the state's budget problems. But its 2011 workplace calendar, "Keep Washington Safe and Working," nevertheless will be available later this month.

Conditions Surrounding Death, Injury at Lumber Yard Lead to $439,400 Fine

“Employers are legally bound to provide a safe work environment for their employees,” said OSHA chief David Michals. “This company has repeatedly failed to do so, costing one worker his life and grievously injuring another. This must stop.”

On-the-Spot Excavation Inspection Leads to Nearly $70K in Fines

"You cannot overstate the gravity of this hazard," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's area director for Rhode Island. "A cave-in can occur in seconds with soil and debris engulfing workers before they can react or escape."

Seminar participants will receive information about Californias heat illness prevention program.

California, Mexican Foreign Ministry Celebrate 'Labor Rights Week 2010'

The week is a nationwide initiative that revolves around Labor Day and is the result of an on-going collaboration between local Mexican Consulate offices, federal and state labor and workforce departments, labor rights advocates, and others.

Asphalt Paving Firm Penalized Following 'Willful' Tractor Incident

According to OSHA, an employee operating a tractor struck and hospitalized another worker who was digging a shallow ditch.

Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised Heat Safety Regulations

High-heat procedures are now required for five industries when temperatures reach 95 degrees or above: agriculture; construction; landscaping; oil & gas extraction; and transportation or delivery of agricultural products, construction material, or other heavy materials.

Hickory-Handled Sledgehammers Recalled

White Cap Construction Supply Inc. of Costa Mesa, Calif., voluntarily recalled the tools because the head can loosen and detach, posing an injury risk to users.

Upstate NY Contractor Faces $49K Penalty for Cave-in Hazards

Agency inspectors passing by the worksite observed a worker installing a water main in an apparently unprotected 6-foot-by-6-inch deep trench. An inspection was opened on the spot and OSHA found that the trench lacked protection against a potential collapse of its walls.

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