Katie Kathman
Southern New Jersey Contractor Disregards Fall Protection Requirements
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a citation to Brutus Construction Inc. on April 10, 2019, according to an OSHA news report. The company was cited for failure to observe fall protection and other safety hazards at their worksite. Brutus Construction Inc., located in Souderton, Pennsylvania, now faces $181,699 in penalty fines.
Employees did roof work at a residential construction site without the use of fall protection. As a result, the company is cited for the willful exposure of employees to safety hazards. Among the hazards is failure to provide fall protection requirements and training. Unfortunately, Brutus Construction Inc. has been cited by OSHA 19 times for such hazards.
Brutus… Continue reading
Job openings reach series high, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau news release on February 12, 2019, provides evidence of the high number of job openings. The number of job openings arrived at a substantial series high of 7.3 million at the end of December. Both hires and separations were found to have little change at bout 5.9 million and 5.5 million. Regarding separations, the quits rate remained unchanged with 2.3 percent. Additionally, the rate of layoffs and discharges expressed little change with a minimal 1.1 percent.
A closer look at job openings
What exactly do the numbers represent? The rate for job openings was little changed at 4.7 percent at the end of December. The greatest increases were found in:
- construction,
- accommodation and food services,
- health care… Continue reading
Fall Prevention For Construction Workers
Fall prevention for construction workers is the responsibility of employers to provide adequate training and materials needed for safety on the job. Safety information and training is critical in all career fields, especially regarding fall prevention for construction workers. The information can seem overwhelming, so take a look at a few of the most common terms and topics associated with fall prevention.
What You Should Know
Fall protection in general industry
Essentially, these resources sum up critical information regarding the number one safety threat among construction workers. Fatal falls are attributed to both the failure of… Continue reading
OSHA Holiday Season Safety Tips
The quickly approaching holiday season is a time for all kinds of festive preparations from elaborate decorations, social events and gatherings, to travel plans. With all of the items on everyone’s to do lists, there is one item that should be at the top of the list: safety. It is OSHA’s mission to ensure the health and safety of the nation’s workplaces. Amidst this holiday season safety tips, OSHA-Pros reminds us that there are some important health and safety factors to consider.
- Fall prevention for lighting installation and elaborate displays
- Electrical safety for holiday programming and shows
- Office party safety regulations
- Air contamination, travel, and the spread of infectious diseases
Lighting Installation
Firstly, preparations for the holiday season… Continue reading
Proper Fall Protection Fail: Fatal Fall Suffered At Mississippi Worksite
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Midway Tower Service Inc. and Bracken Equipment Holdings LLC for failure to follow proper fall protection and safety measures. Employees at the Utica, Mississippi worksite were exposed to fall hazards and struck-by hazards, including fatality. Workers failed to remove damaged equipment between the crane hook and load. Additionally, the ends of rebar were left uncapped. Consequently, these unfortunate mistakes resulted in fatal injuries. The proposed penalties for both companies could result in $20,990. Accidents resulting from fall hazards are preventable. Therefore, employers must take responsibility for the proper training of employees.
A new rule for crane operators is set to provide that safer measures are in place to… Continue reading
Change Employee Attitudes About Training: 5 Easy Steps
Nobody Wants to Do Training, But Everybody Wants to Feel Safe
Most people do not get excited about training. It is no big surprise that workers fail to get excited about training that is mandatory, takes time, and does not usually qualify as paid time. However, consider the flip side.
What if…
- training was deemed unnecessary?
- precautions were not taken seriously?
- work felt unsafe?
The last thing anyone wants is to experience a serious injury or health risk at work. With safety in mind, we can change employee attitudes about training and rest assured that our workers have a united understanding of safety regulations.
How to change employee attitudes about training
Employees certainly don’t have to love… Continue reading
OSHA Proposes New Rule For Crane Operators Safety
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a proposal for a new rule which would increase safety in construction sites. The proposal regards the duty of employers to ensure that crane operators are qualified to operate the machinery. The proposal also provides clarity for certification requirements of crane operators.
What changes under the proposed rule?
The categories of certification would change to allow more operators to meet requirements. The kinds of certification programs for crane operators would be expanded. In 2010 a requirement was made, but never put into effect, that certification for crane operation include the lifting capacity certification of the operator. This requirement would be removed based upon OSHA’s proposal.
Employees Exposed to Dangerous Falls: Florida Framing Contractor Cited by U.S. Department of Labor
Falls are a leading cause of death in the construction business. In fact, this week May 7-9 is known for safety awareness, especially for fall safety and prevention. A Safety Stand-Down is raising fall safety awareness across the United States. Construction companies take some time out this week to focus their attention on this serious issue of safety. As part of OSHA’s regional emphasis program for falls in construction and roof activities, inspectors observed the safety practices of companies regarding this dangerous issue.
The timing of this is critical for a Florida Framing Contractor, Desouza Framing Inc., who was just cited by the U.S. Department of Labor for exposing employees to dangerous falls. Proposed penalties for the Jacksonville residential… Continue reading