Fall Protection


OSHA Piles Up Fall Protection Citations

Several enforcement actions been filed this month, including one against a Houston contractor in connection with a job site in Hamburg, Pa.

The rescinded compliance directive allows employers engaged in any of four types of construction activities to use alternative procedures rather than conventional fall protection without having to show the convention protection was infeasible at that particular site.

OSHA Replaces Residential Construction Fall Protection Directive

Recommended by the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association, this change took effect immediately. Its enforcement effective date is June 16, 2011.

Texas Masonry Firm Fined for Fall Protection, Repeat Hazards

OSHA began its inspection on Oct. 21 at the company's facility, which found employees working at an elevation of approximately 14 feet without wearing fall protection.

British Telecom Fined $465,000 for Fatal Fall

The company was prosecuted after an employee suffered fatal head injuries in October 2006 when he fell from a wooden ladder.

Cameraman's Death at Racecourse Results in Fines for Production Studio

OSHA has proposed $91,000 in fines against the company for one alleged willful, two alleged serious, and one other-than-serious violation.

OSHA Soaks Texas Launderer in Fines for Fall Hazards

OSHA began its inspection June 10 at the company's worksite and found employees operating a forklift without wearing a seat belt, as well as wet floors in passageways, aisles, and laundry work areas.

Comment Period Under Way for Australia's Model Regs

The deadline to comment on the 582-page document is April 4, 2011, and government safety agencies are urging employers and workers to participate as Australia moves toward harmonized regulations.

New Standard Released for Testing Hard Surface Flooring

The National Floor Safety Institute announced the publication of ANSI/NFSI B101.1. For the first time, property owners can be held accountable for the slip resistance of their floors, said NFSI founder Russ Kendzior.



OSHA Cites Paper Manufacturer, Calls It 'Extremely Hazardous'

The investigation followed a June 12 fatality at its Philadelphia plant when a worker was crushed by a paper hopper during loading operations.

Ohio Steel Manufacturer Fined for Fall Hazards, Faulty Equipment

As a result of the June inspection by OSHA, the company was issued two willful citations with proposed fines of $140,000 and four serious citations with proposed penalties of $16,000.

New York's Koch Theater Fined for Asbestos, Fall, and Crushing Hazards

David H. Koch Theater reportedly failed to post asbestos warning signs in the promenade area, ensure clear exits, and guard employees from hazards associated with raising the stage.

The document contains suggested formats and procedures for fall prevention, hazard identification, and more.

Tower Erectors' Group Updates Safety Guide

The updated document, available to NATE members, contains 18 sections. Everything from hazard identification to RF exposure, emergency response, training, and the HazCom Standard is covered.

Beverage Distributor Failed to Offer Forklift Training, OSHA Says

The regulatory agency has fined the Hondo, Texas, company more than $52,000 for 12 alleged violations.

N.Y. Contractor Cited Following Worker's Fatal 50-Foot Fall

As a result of its inspection, OSHA issued Roth Metal Works one willful citation for failing to stabilize the steel beams and four serious citations for the lack of fall protection and scaffold hazards.

Predecessor Company's Violations Count, OSHRC Holds

In a Nov. 18 decision that was a case of first impression, the commission held that a company's change in legal status does not prevent a repeat violation from being upheld against the successor company.

OSHA Updates Shipyard PPE Directive

The directive recognizes updated consensus standards and includes more information about the PPE shipyard employers must provide to workers at no cost, as well as PPE for which they don't have to pay.

Stucco Contractor Plastered with Fines for Repeat Fall Hazards

The company received citations for failing to maintain a safety program, fully plank scaffold platforms, provide a ladder for safe scaffold access, remove and replace damaged scaffold components, and properly brace scaffolds with cross braces.

Fall Injury Brings $51,200 in Fines

Two companies, a subcontractor and the general contractor on a New Hampshire job site, were fined after a worker tripped and fell 14 feet during the dismantling of a stairway.

OSHA said several requests for the informal public hearing were submitted with comments about the proposed rule.

OSHA Sets Public Hearing on Fall Protection Changes

The good and bad about the proposed rule published in May will be open for discussion Jan. 18 at DOL headquarters in Washington, D.C.

WISHA Offers Ladder Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating

The combination of workers doing tasks they normally do not do, along with an all too often careless approach to ladder safety, can lead to the worst holiday ever. Falls from ladders have resulted in permanent disability and even death

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