Construction Safety


The OSHA negotiated rulemaking committee to revise the cranes and derricks standard first met July 30-Aug. 1, 2003.

OSHA's Cranes & Derricks Rule Released

The new standard has been a long time coming, having begun with a July 2002 announcement of the intent to set up a negotiated rulemaking committee.

Cave-in Hazards Could Cost Connecticut Contractor $61,800

"The gravity of this type of hazard cannot be overstated," said Paul Mangiafico, OSHA's acting area director in Hartford, Conn. "The collapsing walls of a trench can crush or bury workers in seconds.”

Projects to improve the flow of freight and people have been green-lighted in Chicago.

Chicago Getting Congestion Relief

According to DOT, about 25 percent of rail traffic in the United States travels through the Chicago region, in some instances taking longer to transit the city than the time it took to reach it from the east or west coasts.

The long-awaited Doyle Drive Replacement Project should take about three years.

Road to Golden Gate Bridge Getting Billion-Dollar Makeover

When completed in 2013, the project will replace the 73-year-old Doyle Drive southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge. The project will also result in structural and seismic improvements to the Presidio Trust and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area nearby.

ASSE Offers Heat-Illness Safety Tips

Dry, hot skin with no sweating is not a good sign; it’s one of the symptoms of heat stroke and can be deadly. When working in the heat, try to have a cool cup of water every 15 minutes.

Crane Rigger Acquitted of All Charges

William Rapetti, a rigging contractor who was the only person criminally charged in the March 2008 collapse of a tower crane that killed seven people, was acquitted Thursday by Supreme Court Justice Roger Hayes.

Home Depot Cited for Recurring Chemical Hazards in NY

The retail giant received two notices of failure to abate after a new inspection found that workers in the store's painting and plumbing departments still lacked suitable emergency drenching facilities and methylene chloride information and training.

OSHA Tries to Cement Fall Hazard Charges Against Tuckpointing Firm

An inspection earlier this year resulted in the St. Louis company receiving five repeat citations, mainly for problems involving its use of scaffolds, plus two other serious allegations.



‘Find It – Fix It’ Ergonomics Challenge Is On

Companies have until Sept. 15 to submit their best workplace improvements, highlighting the implementation of a creative, sustainable, and high-impact ergonomic solution.

DOL Opens ‘One-Stop’ Compliance Assistance Shop on Border

The new office will aim to connect employees, employers, and community-based organizations with the resources and assistance needed to ensure that workers in low-wage industries -- including laborers on federal construction and service contracts -- are paid fairly for all hours worked, DOL said.

OSHA Offers Electrical Equipment Safety Tips

If electrical equipment is used in ways for which it is not designed, you can no longer depend on safety features built in by the manufacturer. This may damage your equipment and cause employee injuries. Here are some common examples of misused equipment.

OSHA Slams Patio Door Maker

The agency issued a willful violation for the Dallas company's failure to institute an effective hearing conservation program, plus 10 serious violations for failing to protect workers from being struck by flying objects, the unexpected release of energy while servicing and maintaining equipment, and exposure to blood and hazardous chemicals, among other charges.

A new report predicts a global market for service bots will reach $38.42 billion within five years.

Report Predicts Rise of the Machines, Especially in Service Industries

Shortages and the exorbitantly high cost of labor for risky jobs such as mining, skyscraper construction, and rescue operations, among others, present a perfect opportunity for service robots to replace human personnel, says the report, which estimates a global bot market of $38.42 billion by 2015.

OSHA is soliciting applications for $2.75 million in Susan Harwood Targeted Topic Training Grants.

$2.75 Million in Susan Harwood Training Grants Up for Grabs

For fiscal year 2010, the program offers 28 targeted topic areas including crane safety, combustible dust, maritime, oil and gas, and eye safety.

WISHA Offers 5 Tips for Heat Stress Prevention

Starting work well hydrated is first on the list from the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, which takes care of enforcement for the state's outdoor heat exposure regulation. The rule was enacted in 2008.

Four NY Contractors Fined $90K Following Brooklyn Balcony Collapse

An employee of one of the firms fell 20 feet when the second floor balcony he was standing on collapsed as he was attempting to jack up the third floor balcony. An inspection by OSHA's Manhattan area office found that the second floor balcony was overloaded, improperly constructed, and incapable of supporting its weight load.

An employee was applying a coat of plaster to a suspended ceiling from a scaffold when the ceiling collapsed, and Cal/OSHA later cited his employer.

Public Hearing Set on CA Suspended Ceiling Change

The proposed changes to be discussed Aug. 19 are derived from the federal standards, 29 CFR 1926.451(a)(6) 1926.701(a), and will clarify who is responsible for determining how much weight a structure can bear.

Workshop to Investigate Impacts of Indoor Air Contaminants, Lead Paint

The half-day event will focus specifically on damage to building contents that can result from airborne contaminants and the ramifications to contractors of EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule.

Circles Unbroken

Round homes in Katrina's path sustained no structural damage from high winds or water, although many were hit with tidal surges of 20 to 30 feet.

Ship Builder Cited for Boatload of Safety, Health Hazards

An investigation found structural deficiencies on one of the crawler cranes the company maintained and operated, as well as electrical hazards throughout the shipyard; in all, the facility received 19 serious citations in areas of fall protection, machine guarding, plant maintenance, and fire safety, plus citations for repeat and other-than-serious offenses.

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