Construction Safety


Worker's Death in Trench Leads to Contractor's $159,600 Fine

One employee died and another was hospitalized after wet, heavy soil collapsed into a deep trench while the men were installing a sewer pipe.

Contractor Fined $122,960 for Cave-In Hazards

The willful citation alleges that employees were working in a trench at a depth greater than 7 feet without cave-in protection during an October 2010 inspection.

Oregon Workplace Fatality Rate Drops to Lowest Level on Record

To some degree, the total may be tied to the economic downturn and increased unemployment.

OSHA Issues Cranes and Derricks Guidance for Small Businesses

This guide accompanies other OSHA compliance materials on crane-related topics available on the agency's website including a PowerPoint overview, Web chat transcript, Webinar, and fact sheets.

Asbestos Abatement Firm Fined $437,300 for Willful Violations

In August, L&I began an inspection at the company's worksite and found multiple safety problems, including open removal of dry asbestos with no containment and piles of bags containing chunks of dry asbestos materials.

The U.S. infrastructure needs top $2 trillion, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Lead Exposure in Road Construction

Researchers' findings have confirmed there is increased risk for those who work on roads in highly populated areas.

Many construction activities, including masonry and concrete work, can expose workers to crystalline silica, OSHA says.

Crystalline Silica Rule Pending at OIRA

The Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica proposed rule was received by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Feb. 14. If the NPRM is published in April as planned, the agency will be trying to lower its PELS for general industry, construction, and maritime.

LeadCheck® Swabs provide a rapid, sensitive, specific test for leachable lead on any surface, according to the company.

3M Acquires Lead Test Maker

Terms of its acquisition of Hybrivet Systems Inc. weren't disclosed. The company's LeadCheck Swabs were the first test kit recognized under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule.



Once hazardous areas have been discovered, identifying suitable measures to put in place to control risks and protect employees with training, equipment, and skills should be the next step.

Contractor Groups, Unions Backing Construction Leadership Project

Project LeAD is a study lasting several years that shows apprentices high-level skills for safety leadership at work sites. Plumbing and mechanical contractors and the United Association are involved.

Workers in Aqueduct Tunnel Exposed to Excess Noise Levels; Firm Fined $52,500

Employees were also exposed to fall hazards of up to 14 feet from a lack of fall protection and from using a ladder that did not extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing service for required stability.

The Alimak Hek MS ProMax mast climbing work platform (www.alimakhek.com) can reach 200 meters in height when anchored, according to the company.

Mast Climbing Industry Foresees Safety Gains

Several initiatives will make a positive impact this year, the co-chair of the Scaffold Industry Association's Mast Climbing Council has said. They include a revised design standard, training courses, materials from the SIA/OSHA alliance, and a CPWR white paper's recommendations.

Scaffolding Collapse Leads to Fla. Contractor's $69,168 Fine

In October 2010, two employees were painting the inside of a water tank when a suspended scaffold device anchored on the outer surface of a roof hole fell through the hole, causing one side of the scaffold to collapse.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Appoints Global Safety Chief

Vanessa Forbes, based in the firm's London office, has experience as an inspector in the UK offshore industry and as a technical consultant in oil & gas and nuclear energy.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act took effect in April 2008.

First UK Conviction for Corporate Manslaughter

After a three-week trial, a jury convicted a small company in connection with the September 2008 death of geologist Alexander Wright in a trench collapse. Cotswold Geotechnical was fined $622,000.

Workplace Deaths Rise in Washington; Agriculture Tops the List

The deaths are the most reported since 2006 and a steep climb from the 65 fatalities reported in 2009.

OSHA Estimates LOTO Standard's Burden at 2.9 Million Hours

The estimated number of affected entities is 773,632, while the time to comply can be as much as 80 hours, according to the agency.

CSB Video Highlights Gas Release Hazards

Entitled “Deadly Practices,” the video includes animations that show the hazards of releasing gas into areas where it can accumulate, ignite, and kill or injure workers or members of the public.

Building Contractor Fined $235,500 for Fall, Scaffold Hazards

OSHA's inspection found NER employees exposed to falls of up to 17 feet due to a lack of fall protection while power washing the side of a building and while dismantling scaffolding.

Virtual Auto Safety Center Launched by NIOSH

Truck drivers, firefighters and emergency responders, law enforcement officers, oil and gas industry workers, and highway construction workers are worker populations at high risk for vehicle-related fatalities, according to the agency.

Two fatal falls and an electrocution have killed workers installing solar panels and been investigated by the California FACE program.

California FACE Warns of Solar Panel Installation Hazards

Two fatal falls and an electrocution have killed workers installing solar panels and been investigated by the California FACE program.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars