Officials with California's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner's Office) issued 115 citations totaling $477,966 in fines to construction firms across the state for various labor law violations in a recent two-day enforcement activity that concluded on October 16.
"There is no way to understate the danger of fall hazards, which are the number one killer in construction work," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's area director in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Held every October, the public awareness campaign highlights the importance of working drug free to prevent accidents, improve productivity, and reduce costs while also encouraging people with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.
Combining previous references to storm shelter and safe room construction published by NSSA, the FEMA, and the Red Cross, the new standard increases minimum wind resistance requirements and provides basic safety and health requirements.
Thirty years after the British rule was enacted requiring involvement of workers' representatives, the UK safety and health oversight agency is reminding stakeholders that involvement pays off.
MSHA's Safety Targets Training Program will focus on addressing and eliminating the most common causes of repeat fatal accidents that occurred from 2000 to 2008
OSHA's New York Regional Office is asking the 151 worksites in its jurisdiction participating in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) to conduct voluntary inspections of any crane activity occurring at their worksites during this week. VPP is an elite, voluntary, merit-based program that recognizes worksites committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards.
"This case study effectively demonstrates how safety and health management systems can be successful if organizations take proactive steps to implement and encourage their use," said OSHA chief Edwin G. Foulke Jr.
Gov. Ed Rendell also signed bills that create a State Board of Crane Operators to oversee licensing and discipline of crane operators and raise the monthly benefit from $125 to $175 for silicosis or black lung sufferers.
The new publication "is an essential resource for designers, builders, and others looking for reliable information on topics not covered in [ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2007] or seeking to go beyond minimum for high performance construction," said committee chair Steven Emmerich.
"In the new era of triple bottom line accountability on financial, social, and environmental contributions, the need for energy vigilance and conservation is greater than ever," said IFMA President and CEO David J. Brady.
After two incidents were reported involving injuries to children and adults, Chance Rides Manufacturing is offering inspection/repair kits for approximately 85 of its affected rides.
The agency detailed 12 inspectors to conduct 96 safety inspections at 46 construction sites throughout the city from June 23 to July 3. Citations were issued to 60 contractors for 129 violations with a total of $247,400 in proposed fines during the period.
"What's particularly disturbing is that this employer--who has been cited for fall protection violations in the past--allowed these hazards to continue even in the midst of an ongoing OSHA inspection," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport, Conn.
The long-awaited new OSHA rule governing use of cranes and derricks has been published in today's Federal Register. Comments and hearing requests are due by Dec. 8, 2008. The rule is a complete revision of Section 1926.550 of Subpart N of 29 CFR part 1926, the construction standards; Subpart N is one of the originally adopted OSHA regulations.
OSHA recently awarded $6.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to 36 recipients encompassing labor unions, community colleges, and other nonprofit organizations for safety and health training and educational programs.
Proper equipment and PPE are critical for safe operation of a chain saw, a potentially dangerous tool that is tougher to handle than it appears. The most important components of a chain saw user’s PPE ensemble may be his eye and face protection, although protective gloves and footwear are included.
A senior building maintenance employee was working on a building that was undergoing renovations. The job included the installation of an emergency exit light above a doorway. The maintenance employee was positioned on a 10-foot fiberglass stepladder. As he was rechecking the 110-volt electrical wiring using a multi-meter tester, he experienced a strong electrical shock sensation. He was reaching above and behind the light at the time and fell approximately 8 feet to the floor. He sustained a fractured left heel, as well as a compression fracture of his lower back. This employee was hospitalized, according to the OSHA accident report.
NCCCO said the new offering follows the intent of OSHA's imminent cranes and derricks standard and will try "to close the loop" in crane operations.