Updates

By cvoyles on Nov 8, 2012 in Updates |

Occupational Health and Safety Online, in an article regarding an OSHA enforcement case in Florida, noted OSHA’s concern for fall hazards: OSHA, a partner agency in a two-year national campaign to reduce construction fatal falls, said the violations in this case involved failing to provide eye protection for workers using pneumatic nail guns, fall protection for workers installing roofing materials on steep-pitched roofs, and a safe means for workers to access and exit a 19-foot-high roof. “The danger of fall hazards cannot be overstated. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry,” said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA’s area director in Jacksonville. “When fall protection is absent, workers are only steps away from a deadly or disabling plunge. This employer must take effective steps to ensure that proper safeguards are in place and in use at all job sites.” Read more about the case...

By cvoyles on Nov 8, 2012 in Updates |

Occupational Health and Safety Online has an article on how contractors can prepare to be safety compliant with OSHA’s new fall protection regulations. Their advice? Plan. Provide. Train. From the article: Today, falls remain the leading cause of death for workers engaged in residential construction, with an average of 40 workers suffering a fatal fall from a residential structure each year. These types of at-height worker injury and fatality statistics prompted OSHA to rescind the original interim instruction and invoke stricter safety regulations. OSHA’s issuance of the new instruction (1926.501) is a progressive, life-saving change for the residential construction industry, especially those working at height. Follow OSHA’s three simple steps to preventing falls — plan, provide, and train — and your workers will not only be in compliance with the regulations, but also safe. Want to read the rest of their advice? Check out their article...

By cvoyles on Nov 2, 2012 in Updates |

The newly upgraded version of the electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH) is making the search for information on hazards such as falls and safe work practices easier for contractors, workers, trainers, and others interested in making job sites safer.  Stakeholders interested in finding information on falls or scaffolds have two options: either type the word or phrase in the search box, or click on the hazard menu on the Home page and select falls or scaffolds.  Either search approach will generate a list of related items broken down by categories such as “Toolbox Talks,” “Presentations,” “Videos,” and more.  Users can also narrow their search results by trade or job site – allowing quicker access to what they need. See for yourself by visiting...

By cvoyles on Oct 26, 2012 in Updates |

CPWR — The Center For Construction Research and Training has updated the 2012 Construction Fatality Map to include fatalities through September 2012. The view the updated 2012 maps and the 2011 maps, visit the Fatality Map page. Do you know of a construction fatality that belongs on the map? Please email...

By cvoyles on Oct 25, 2012 in Updates |

From the Paint and Coatings Industry News article “Fall Violations Lead OSHA’s Top 10”: Falls remain the leading cause of death in construction, accounting for more than one-third of those fatalities, according to CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. This summer, the center released an 11-minute informational video (Don’t Fall for It!) that featured first-person accounts by workers who have suffered falls and emotional testimony from the widow of a fatal fall victim. The testimony includes that of a contractor who suffered life-altering injuries that required six hours of spinal surgery after falling just six feet and a sheet metal worker’s tale of how he used to bungee jump and ride motorcycles, but can no longer tie his shoes. CPWR has also developed an interactive map of fatal falls in the United States. Check out the rest of the article here, or take a look at the Don’t Fall For It! video and related...

By cvoyles on Oct 24, 2012 in Updates |

A new article from EIN News highlights the cooperative nature of the Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction: OSHA, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) are teaming up to educate workers and employers on how to prevent construction falls. Each organization will provide information on how to prevent falls, including training on roofs, scaffolds and ladders. One of the more comprehensive prevention programs is OSHA’s “Plan-Provide-Train” campaign. As its name implies, the campaign encourages employers to plan for hazards, provide appropriate safety equipment and effectively train employees in fall prevention and safety. Read the rest of the article...