This issue of Safety News contains articles reproduced from government websites or other government sources. The Construction Institute makes no representations as to the accuracy of the information therein contained; nor do these articles necessarily reflect the views or policies of the TCI. 2005 January | February | April | May | June August | September | October | November | December January 2005 OSHA to Issue Final Rule on Standards Improvement Process OSHA will publish a final rule in the Jan. 5, 2005, Federal Register on the second phase of its standards improvement project. The project addresses inconsistent, duplicative or outdated provisions in OSHA's safety and health standards for general industry, maritime and construction. BLS Reports Decline in Workplace Injury and Illness Rates for 2003 Approximately 4.4 million injuries and illnesses were reported in private industry workplaces during 2003, according to the latest report by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number translates to a rate of 5.0 cases per 100 full-time workers and a 7.1 percent decrease in the actual number of injuries and illnesses reported in 2002. Henshaw Announces Resignation, New Acting Administrator Appointed Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao praised the "outstanding leadership, great wisdom and sincere concern for America's workers" of OSHA Administrator John Henshaw upon announcing his resignation, effective Dec. 31, 2004. Chao announced Dec. 14 the appointment of Jonathan Snare, currently a senior advisor to the Solicitor of Labor, as Deputy Assistant Secretary for OSHA and the agency's acting Assistant Secretary upon Henshaw's departure. Kim Lazor, special assistant to the assistant secretary, will also assume a larger role in the agency's operations. Deputy Assistant Secretary Davis Layne Set to Retire, Heading for VPPPA OSHA Administrator John Henshaw announced Dec. 10, three key executive personnel moves at the agency highlighting the upcoming retirement of R. Davis Layne, Deputy Assistant Secretary. Layne will retire from the government on Dec. 31, 2004 after 37 years of government service. Layne has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA). Henshaw appointed Steven F. Witt, current director of OSHA's Standards and Guidance Directorate, as acting deputy assistant secretary, and Dorothy Dougherty to assume Witt's duties. Dougherty is currently deputy director of Standards and Guidance. OSHA Administrator Discusses Recordkeeping Initiative A new recordkeeping handbook with an accompanying interactive program is just one of the pieces of a recordkeeping initiative OSHA Administrator John Henshaw discussed at the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) meeting in Washington, Dec. 8. "This initiative will assure the accuracy and quality of injury and illness data," Henshaw said and, in addition to the handbook, will include updated frequently asked questions for the agency's website, more training for OSHA staff, and increased outreach on recordkeeping. OSHA plans to roll out the new initiative next month. Henshaw also discussed other agency initiatives, including trenching, hazard communication, reactive chemicals, Hispanic outreach, emergency preparedness, and motor vehicle safety. OSHA Debuts New Webpage on Chemical Reactivity Hazards Thanks to the efforts of two national Alliances, OSHA unveiled its newest Safety and Health Topics page this month focusing on the hazards associated with reactive chemicals. Chemical Reactivity Hazards provides valuable information for workers and employers involved in the manufacture, distribution, use and storage of chemicals. The page is a product of two Alliances: the Dow Chemical Company, and the Reactives Alliance (consisting of the Environmental Protection Agency and six organizations involved in the chemical industry). OSHA Offers Tips To Protect Workers In Cold Environments With the onset of cold weather, OSHA is reminding employers and workers to take necessary precautions, such as those listed on OSHA's Cold Stress Card, to prevent and treat cold-related health problems. Workers in construction U.S. Labor Department Publishes Youth Employment Rules Rules Become Effective in 60 Days The Labor Department published in the Federal Register final regulations implementing changes to employment rules for youth. The new rules expand protections for youth working in restaurant cooking, roofing, and driving, among other changes. OSHA Cites Wagner Companies Following Trench Fatality $382,875 Penalty Proposed for Hazards at Trinity Park Project OSHA has cited Wagner Development Company, Inc., and Wagner Excavation Services, Inc., and proposed penalties of $382,875 for failing to protect workers from trenching hazards that led to the death of one employee and injury to a second worker at a storm sewer project in western Pennsylvania. OSHA Cites 19 Contractors for Safety Hazards at Kennesaw State University Construction Site Proposed penalties total more than $147,000 OSHA has cited 19 Atlanta-area contractors for exposing workers to safety hazards at a Kennesaw State University construction site. The agency has proposed penalties totaling $147,625. Long Island Contractor with History of Violations Faces $119,000 in OSHA Fines for Latest Workplace Hazards A Mt. Sinai stucco contractor's continued failure to protect workers against falls and other potentially fatal construction hazards at several Long Island jobsites has resulted in $119,000 in proposed OSHA fines. OSHA Cites Indiana Firm Following Ohio Trench Fatality Reynolds, Inc., headquartered in Orleans, Ind., is facing $110,000 in fines proposed by OSHA following a fatal trenching accident in June in Mason, Ohio, where an employee was struck by a bucket that became disengaged from a "quick coupling" device used to attach the bucket to excavating equipment. OSHA Cites Contractor for Safety Hazards Following Fatal Accident at TVA's Cumberland City Plant OSHA has cited Day & Zimmermann NPS Inc., at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Cumberland City Power Generation Plant after a worker fell to his death on June 16. The agency is proposing $89,000 in penalties. OSHA Cites Singer Park Contractors for Health and Safety Hazards OSHA has cited three contractors involved in the construction of a Manchester, N.H., baseball stadium for alleged health and safety violations. OSHA Cites Mt. Carmel, Ill. Public Utility Company Following Workplace Fatality Mt. Carmel Public Utility Company in Mt. Carmel, Ill., has been fined $66,500 by OSHA for violations of workplace safety standards following an investigation into the July workplace accident in which one worker died and another received serious injuries. Building Service Contractors Association Aligns with OSHA Ergonomics, Hazardous Materials are key elements of the agreement Ensuring a safer and more healthful workplace for workers in the building service contracting industry is the goal of OSHA's Alliance with the Building Service Contractor's Association. New Alliance Will Promote Safety for Electrical Workers in Louisiana Furthering the safety and health of electrical workers in Louisiana is the goal of an alliance signed by OSHA, the National Electrical Contractors Association Inc. (NECA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 130 (IBEW) and the Louisiana Department of Labor. OSHA Launches Alliance with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Labor Management Council OSHA and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Labor Management Council have joined forces to promote workplace safety and health. The alliance will provide council members and others with training, information, guidance and access to OSHA resources that will help them reduce workplace injury and illness. OSHA and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Labor Management Council officially began their partnership at a signing ceremony on Dec. 3, 2004. OSHA, National Park Service and Project Managers Sign Partnership for Safety at Mammoth Cave Electrical Renovation Project OSHA, the National Park Service, the Chappy Corporation, and Magnum Companies, Ltd., signed a worker safety and health partnership agreement Dec. 15, at the site of the park's major electrical renovation project. OSHA Partners with Business, Labor and Government to Safeguard Workers on Hunt's Point Pollution Control Project in the Bronx A newly-signed partnership among local labor unions, employer groups, and state and federal agencies will promote job safety and health for more than 100 workers on the Hunts Point Water Pollution Control Project in the Bronx, which is expected to be completed in June 2007. Objectives include zero fatalities during the project. OSHA Forms Alliance with National Utility Contractors Association OSHA also formed an Alliance Dec. 6 with the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA), highlighting hazards associated with trenching and excavation, and confined spaces for workers in the utility construction industry. Top 10 OSHA violations in National Safety Council's Safety+Health The National Safety Council's Safety+Health magazine has once again published the Top 10 OSHA violations for the past year (.pdf, 176 KB), and also details the top 10 fines levied by the agency. Scaffolding tops the list with 8,682 violations. Economic Cost of Fatal Occupational Injuries in the United States Data from a NIOSH-funded study estimate that the costs of occupational illness in America total more than $171 billion per year, an amount five times greater than the costs of AIDS and equal to the economic costs of all cancers. Such findings point to the importance of quantifying the costs of occupational illnesses and injuries more precisely, and of advancing the methodologies needed to do so. Through collaborations with industry, government and global partners, NIOSH is engaged in several activities specifically related to characterizing the costs associated with workplace illness and injury. Article #2 Revision of the OSHA "$AFETY PAYS" E-Tool for Employers In collaboration with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), NIOSH is updating and enhancing $AFETY PAYS, an OSHA developed interactive software program for measuring the economic impact of occupational injuries and illnesses on a company's profitability. The program uses a company's profit margin, average costs of an occupational injury or illness and an indirect cost multiplier to project the amount of sales a company would need to generate in order to cover the cost. Enhancements to the program include customizing the program to fit a firm's ability in capturing their costs. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, American Society Of Safety Engineers Extend Partnership To Improve Workplace Safety, Health The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) today signed an agreement that extends their formal partnership to improve safety and health conditions in U.S. workplaces. Three Defendants and Company Sentenced in Lead Paint Waste Case Several defendants and a paint company were sentenced based on criminal violations arising from sandblasting and painting work the company did under highway bridge contracts in northeast Arkansas in 1999 and 2000. The defendants were involved in a scheme that caused the illegal discharge of lead-contaminated materials into the Black River from two different bridge locations. Internal Traffic Control Plans Separate Trucks, Workers It's always big news when a motorist, often drunk or speeding, plows into a highway work zone, killing or severely injuring themselves, their passengers or some of the construction workers on the site. But Laborers know that the far more common and lethal hazard in work zones is the dump trucks, cement mixers and other heavy equipment that roam about the site. Workplace Violence Research Study Released Results of a two-year, community-based research study in Wakefield, Mass., indicate there is no clear consensus on what acts and behaviors constitute workplace violence. New Study Shows Suggests That Exposure to Benzene Below OSHA PEL Could Have Adverse Health Effects A new study shows that even minimal exposure to benzene at levels below that of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) set by OSHA could have adverse health effects for workers. NIOSH and Center to Protect Workers' Rights (CPWR) Begin New 5-Year Program The Center to Protect Workers' Rights (CPWR) and its academic and industry partners nationwide on August 1 began a new, 5-year program focusing on construction safety and health. The program, Centers for Construction Safety and Health, is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH. BCTD Asks OSHA to Lower APF For Dust Masks in Proposed Rule The Building and Construction Trades Department has asked OSHA to change its June 2003 Proposed Rule on Assigned Protection Factors for respirators. Respirator Program is Portable Using Online Medical Questionnaire A new program in Washington state is simplifying complying with OSHA's respirator program requirements. The goal is to help contractors clear workers for jobs quickly and avoid having workers repeat clearance procedures unnecessarily. The American Industrial Hygiene Association Announces Top Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Issues The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) released the results of its biannual public policy survey that projects the top public policy issues of concern to the occupational and environmental health and safety profession over the next two years. Rhode Island Department of Health: HVAC Building Vulnerability Assessment Tool The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) released a Building Vulnerability Assessment Tool to help building owners/managers identify air-handling system vulnerabilities. Experts designed this tool so that building owners with a functional knowledge of the air-handling system can perform the assessment quickly and easily. CPSC, Robert Bosch Tool Corp. Announce Recall of Abrasive Cut-Off Wheels In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robert Bosch Tool Corp., of Mt. Prospect, Ill. is voluntarily recalling about 6,400 type 1 abrasive cut-off wheels. These abrasive cut-off wheels do not have correct speed rating labels. If used at the labeled speed rating, the wheels can burst, causing possible injury to user and bystanders. Gas Control Valves Recalled Due To Fire Hazard In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robertshaw Controls Company of Long Beach, California is voluntarily recalling 123,544 gas valves and 37,350 magnet heads. If the pilot light goes out, the gas valve can stick in an open position, permitting gas to continue to flow. This can result in a gas explosion and fire which could result in severe personal injury or property damage. Back to Top February 2005 Public Hearings Scheduled on Hexavalent Chromium Rulemaking Interested members of the public had an opportunity to learn more about OSHA's rulemaking on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium as two weeks of public hearings began on January 19th in Washington, D.C. OSHA is proposing to lower its permissible exposure limit for the compound (widely used in the chemical industry in pigments and metal plating, and also for stainless steel production and anti-corrosion coatings). Injury and Illness Posting Requirements Effective This Month Employers are reminded that beginning February 1, a summary of workplace injuries and illnesses that occurred last year must be posted for three months. The summary (OSHA Form 300A) must list the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2004 and were logged on the OSHA 300 form (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). Employers must display the form in a common area wherever notices to workers are normally posted. The annual requirement is part of OSHA's recordkeeping regulations. OSHA Recordkeeping Handbook Available Online OSHA has a new publication on its website to aid employers and workers in understanding the agency's recordkeeping policies, procedures and requirements. The OSHA Recordkeeping Handbook combines information from the agency's recordkeeping rule, the recordkeeping policies and procedures manual, as well as tools and guidance materials from throughout the agency's website. The handbook allows the user to easily locate specific information pertaining to each section of the rule, and also contains recordkeeping-related Frequently Asked Questions and OSHA's enforcement guidance that has previously been presented in various agency Letters of Interpretation. New Web Page Highlights Noise and Hearing Conservation OSHA recently added a new electronic assistance tool on its website to highlight the prevention of occupational hearing loss. The Noise and Hearing Conservation eTool features information on potential health effects of occupational noise, and provides guidance on evaluating noise exposure, while presenting examples of functional hearing conservation programs. The link also provides references and resources on OSHA's standards and requirements related to the issue. The eTool is a joint product of OSHA's Alliance with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA). OSHA Offers New Hispanic Outreach Web Tool OSHA has unveiled a new Hispanic Outreach Module for its Compliance Assistance Quick Start web tool, the agency's web-based tool that provides a step-by-step guide to identify OSHA requirements and guidance materials for specific workplaces. OSHA Cites Contractor Following Fatalities at Hobe Sound, FL Job Site Agency Proposes $79,200 in Penalties OSHA has cited Macs Construction & Concrete Inc., following the investigation of a building collapse July 22, at a Hobe Sound construction site in Florida where two construction workers were killed and several others seriously injured. OSHA Proposes $128,000 in Penalties Against DeSoto, Texas-Based J&R Landmark Construction Corp. for Alleged Safety Violations in Houston A DeSoto, Texas-based construction company's alleged repeated failures to properly erect scaffold equipment and follow safety standards at a Houston, Texas, construction site has resulted in proposed penalties totaling $128,000 from OSHA. OSHA Cites Birmingham Construction Company for Exposing Workers to Trenching Hazards OSHA) has cited A.R. Butler Construction Company Inc. for exposing workers to trenching hazards at a Brewster Road worksite in Center Point, Alabama. OSHA Regional Construction Partnerships Signed in Chicago, Atlanta, Kansas City Improving safety and health for workers in construction, sheet metal and air conditioning, and electrical industries is the focus of four regional partnerships signed last month. The Calumet City, IL Area Office signed an agreement with local contractors, labor associations and government organizations to focus on worker safety during the McCormick Place West Expansion Project. OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office's recent partnership with business, labor organizations and Georgia Tech, highlights safety concerns for electrical workers, while staff of the Jacksonville, FL Area Office will use their Jan. 26 partnership with contractors and South Florida consultants to spotlight safety and health for construction workers at the Jacksonville Terminal Expansion Project. Finally, the Kansas City Chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association signed on with OSHA's Kansas City Region to address work hazards in both industries. New OSHA Construction Partnerships in NJ, IL, Fl, and NY Protecting workers constructing the Cadbury Adams Science and Technology Center Project in Hanover Township, N.J. is at the heart of a partnership recently launched by the Parsippany OSHA area office, Skanska USA Building, Inc., the New Jersey OSHA Consultation Program and the Morris County Building Construction Trades Council. The safety and health of workers at one of the largest highway construction projects in the history of central Illinois received a boost thanks to a partnership agreement between OSHA, three local companies, five union locals, and the state of Illinois. Reducing construction worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities is the goal of a partnership between OSHA and the Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). OSHA Alliance with Rockland County Builders and Remodelers Association Designed to Improve Safety and Health in Residential Construction Preventing injuries and promoting safe and healthful working conditions for residential contractors in Rockland County, NY are the goals of an alliance among the Tarrytown OSHA area office, the Rockland County Builders and Remodelers Association (RCBA) and the New York State Department of Labor's Division of Safety and Health's On-Site Consultation Program. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Announces Completion of the National Response Plan "The National Response Plan embodies our nation's commitment to the concept of one team, one goal -- a safer and more secure America," said Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge. DHS Press release National Response Plan Fact Sheet OSHA Announces Support for New Worker Safety and Health Guidelines for use During National Emergency Incidents OSHA announced its support for the National Response Plan unveiled today by the Department of Homeland Security, which includes a new Worker Safety and Health Annex. Connecticut Man Pleads to Illegal Asbestos Removal Michael J. Robichaud of Milford, Conn., pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut in New Haven, Conn., to violating the Clean Air Act by directing his employees to remove asbestos without following federal workplace standards. NYCOSH Reports That Flawed Asbestos-Injury Compensation Bill Running on a Fast Track in the Senate Legislation that would deny hundreds of thousands of people any compensation for asbestos-related disease was unveiled on Sunday, January 9, just two days in advance of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill. The text of the draft asbestos compensation legislation is posted at http://www.nycosh.org/workplace_hazards/ 2005SenateAsbestosDraft.pdf Preventing Injuries When Working With Ride-On Roller/Compactors Workers who operate or work around roller/compactors are at risk of injury from a machine rollover or being struck by the machine or its components, according to a recent report issued by NIOSH. HSE Issues Warning On Correct Use Of Twin Tailed Lanyards Britain's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning on the importance of following manufacturers' instructions on the use of fall arrest equipment, in particular systems based on twin tailed energy absorbing lanyards. The warning has been prompted by a recent incident in Australia, where a worker was killed when his lanyard failed. CPSC, Robert Bosch Tool Corp. Announce Recall of Skil® Table Saws In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, of Mount Prospect, Ill. is voluntarily recalling 120,000 Skil® table saws (model 3400). The blade drive mechanism may loosen or the motor can separate from the tool. Loosening of the blade drive mechanism can result in kickback of the item being sawed, resulting in possible laceration. Motor unit separation can cause the coasting saw blade to damage the saw wiring resulting in possible electric shock, or the separated motor could strike the user and cause injury. CPSC, Valvoline Announce Recall of Brake Cleaner and Brake Parts Cleaner The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of Pyroil Brake Parts Cleaner and NAPA Brake Cleaner in voluntary cooperation with Valvoline Company. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. CPSC, Deere & Company Announce Recall of Gator HPX Utility Vehicles CPSC, Deere & Company Announce Recall of Gator HPX Utility Vehicles The safety recall of Gator HPX Utility Vehicles was conducted voluntarily by Deere & Company in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. Construction Committee Schedules February Meeting in Illinois The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) has scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 17 at the Holiday Inn Select O'Hare in Rosemont, IL, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Workgroup meetings will include rollover protective structures and trenching. ACCSH meetings are open to the public. Events Labor-Management Construction Safety Alliance, Annual Construction Safety Conference & Expo: Suits & Boots - A Partnership in Safety, March 1-3, 2005, Randolph, MA Suits & Boots - A Partnership in Safety, the premier event of its kind in New England, will focus on presenting innovative solutions to current construction safety and health issues and challenges. With exciting new workshops and high energy plenary sessions, Suits & Boots - A Partnership in Safety, promises to bring participants up to speed on the hottest safety and health issues that face the construction industry. The conference will feature an Open Forum facilitated by the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, to bring labor and management together in a non-adversarial atmosphere to tackle the pressing safety and health issues of our time. Back to Top April 2005 Budget Request for OSHA Emphasizes Enforcement, Compliance Assistance President Bush has requested a $467 million budget for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Fiscal Year 2006, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare announced today. The request represents an increase of $2.8 million from last year's appropriation and includes increases in state plan compliance assistance programs and data analysis and performance measurement. BLS Publishes Report on 2003 Lost-Worktime Injuries and Illnesses The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported March 30 that a total of 1.3 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required recuperation away from work during 2003. The three occupations with the greatest number of injuries and illnesses were laborers and material movers, truckers, and nursing aides, orderlies and attendants. OSHA to Withdraw Direct Final Rule for National Consensus Standards OSHA has withdrawn its direct final rule for updating OSHA standards that are based on national consensus standards and industry standards. The announcement appeared in the Feb. 18 Federal Register. Nine New York Contractors Face $98,400 in OSHA Fines for Safety Hazards at Three Brooklyn Construction Sites Nine area contractors face a total of $98,400 in fines for 56 alleged serious and repeat violations of workplace safety standards at three Brooklyn construction projects: the Marcy Homes and Marcus Garvey Homes residential construction projects and the TPT Rehab project. OSHA fined the employers after inspections begun Nov. 29, 2004 in response to employee complaints of unsafe working conditions. OSHA Fines Moeves Plumbing $150,000 for Willful and Serious Violations of Trenching and Excavation Safety Rules OSHA has cited Moeves Plumbing Inc., Cincinnati, following an Aug. 2, 2004 inspection of a trenching operation in Hamilton, Ohio. OSHA Cites Two Oklahoma Contractors for Safety Violations Following Fatal Accident OSHA has cited L&L Construction Inc., Jenks, Okla., and Raven Lining Systems Inc., Tulsa, Okla., for a total of 23 alleged safety and health violations following the investigation of a fatal accident last August. Failure To Correct Previously-Cited Hazards Results in $50,500 Penalty Against Nitro, W.Va. Demolition Company A Nitro, W.Va., demolition company's continued failure to protect its workers against serious safety and health hazards has resulted in $50,500 in additional fines from OSHA. Framing Contractor Fined $50,000 for Fall and Other Hazards at Dallas Worksite A Fort Worth-based framing contractor's alleged failure to protect employees from falls and other hazards at a Dallas construction site has resulted in proposed OSHA penalties of $50,000. Albany, N.Y., Contractor Cited Following Fatal Trench Collapse at Cohoes Worksite OSHA has cited an Albany construction contractor for an unguarded trench and other safety hazards following the death of one of its workers at a Cohoes worksite. OSHA Cites Patterson-UTI Drilling After Fatal Accident OSHA has issued citations against Patterson-UTI Drilling Co. and proposed penalties totaling $187,000 for safety violations that led to a worker's death. OSHA Cites Metairie Construction Company for Safety Violations Following Fatal Accident A trenching and excavation fatality has resulted in OSHA citations and proposed penalties of $65,600 to a Metairie, La. construction company. OSHA Fines Wilmington, Mass., Contractor $60,000 for Silica Hazards at Prep School Worksite A Wilmington, Mass., contractor's failure to safeguard workers against potentially deadly silica hazards during brick repointing work at St. John's Preparatory School, Danvers, Mass., has resulted in $60,000 in proposed fines from OSHA. OSHA Fines Florida Employer $80,500 for Lead Hazards at Maine, Bridge Deleading Project A lead abatement contractor's failure to protect employees removing lead paint from a steel bridge spanning the Penobscot River between Lincoln and Chester, Maine, has resulted in $80,500 in OSHA fines. OSHA Cites Alabama Company Following Fatal Accident Lack of Fall Protection Brings $63,300 in Proposed Penalties OSHA has cited Mosley Building Systems Inc. for exposing workers to fall hazards at a Robertsdale job site. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $63,300 following its investigation of a fatal accident in October. OSHA Fines Flooring Contractor $70,000 Following Fire that Killed Two Workers at a Somerville, Mass., Worksite A Somerville, Mass., flooring contractor faces $70,000 in proposed OSHA fines following a fire at a Somerville jobsite that killed two workers and seriously burned two others. Excavation Hazards at Baton Rouge Worksite Bring OSHA Citations and Fines Totaling $76,750 A Hot Springs, Ark. construction company's alleged failure to protect employees from trenching and excavation hazards has resulted in proposed OSHA penalties of $76,750. OSHA Fines Mendon, N.Y., Contractor $116,000 for Cave-In Hazards at Two Greater Rochester Worksites Failure to supply cave-in protection for workers at two Rochester-area sewer installation sites has resulted in a Mendon contractor being fined $116,000 by OSHA. OSHA Offers Pocket Card for Excavation and Trenching A new OSHA safety information pocket card, Safety in Excavations or Trenches, will help workers and employers understand safe trenching practices and the federal requirements for construction excavation safety. The cards are printed in English on one side and Spanish on the other. OSHA Continues Falls Initiative in Midwest Region (Inspections to Include Weekend Work) OSHA announced the continuation of its region-wide special emphasis program aimed at reducing employee injuries and deaths in the construction industry resulting from falls, contact with overhead power lines, and the use of scaffolds. OSHA to Provide Basic Workplace Safety, Health Training Course in Spanish Beginning May 24 in Chicago Training in basic workplace safety and health will soon be offered in Spanish through a project co-sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and participating state agencies and universities in the Chicago area. Mexican Consulate Partners with OSHA, Georgia Tech, Opens Hotline to Assist Callers with Work-related Concerns The Mexican Consulate in Atlanta has established a help-line, (404) 262-4466, for Hispanic workers who are concerned about safety and health hazards at their worksite or other work-related issues under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA and Water Works Association Work Together To Reduce Cave-Ins A new alliance between OSHA and the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) is designed to reduce hazards and improve safety for employees who work on water systems. OSHA Aligns with N.J. School Construction Corporation and State to Protect Employees from Workplace Hazards Workers on New Jersey school construction sites will be safer thanks to an alliance formed by OSHA, the New Jersey School Construction Corporation (NJSCC), and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOLWD). OSHA Forges Partnership with Home Builders Association and Carpenters District Council to Boost Safety for Illinois and Missouri Construction Workers OSHA entered into a partnership with the Home Builders Association of Greater St. Louis, in conjunction with the Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis and vicinity, to ensure the safety and health of residential construction workers in Illinois and Missouri. OSHA Launches Partnership with Contractors and Unions To Protect Roofing and Siding Workers in Illinois and Missouri OSHA entered into a partnership with the Roofing and Siding Contractors Association of Greater St. Louis, the Eastern Missouri Laborers District Council, and the Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis to ensure the safety and health of construction workers in Illinois and Missouri. OSHA Aligns with ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling OSHA and the ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling formed an Alliance that focuses on safety and health issues, including fall protection, silica, and equipment operation hazards. Supreme Court to Hear Cases on Agency Liability and Compensable Time This fall the Supreme Court will hear a case on whether an agency can be held liable for injuries suffered by workers if the inspectors fail to follow agency policies and procedures; and a second case on whether an employer is required to compensate employees for time it takes to change into required specialized protective clothing and safety gear. State OSHA Plan Recognized in Negligence Case (Elsner v. Uveges, Filed Dec. 20, 2004) The Supreme Court of California recently held that courts may consider California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) regulations as evidence of acceptable safety practices in lawsuits brought by workers against companies other than their own employer. W.R. Grace and Executives, Charged with Endangering Libby, Montana Community, Fraud, and Obstruction of Justice A federal grand jury in the District of Montana has indicted W.R. Grace and seven current and former Grace executives for knowingly endangering residents of Libby, Montana, and concealing information about the health effects of its asbestos mining operations. Utah Man Indicted in Asbestos Case A Utah man was indicted on charges that he was involved in a scheme to conceal the illegal handling of asbestos-containing material. EPA Issues Energy Star Challenge: Make U.S. Buildings More Energy Efficient EPA challenged commercial and institutional building owners to improve energy efficiency by 10 percent or more to conserve energy, save money and protect the environment. DOE Cites Hanford Contractor for Violating Nuclear Safety Rules The Department of Energy (DOE) has cited the CH2M Hill Hanford Group, Inc. (CH2M Hill) for violations of the department's nuclear safety requirements at the Hanford Tank Farms near Richland, Wash. American Society of Safety Engineers Announce Public Review Of Construction And Demolition Safety Standards The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced the public review period on seven American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10 standards. New A10 construction standards on lockout/tagout, hearing loss prevention and sanitation are open for public comment until May 3, 2005, along with four existing A10 standards seeking reaffirmation. NIOSH, Georgetown University Center Sign Research, Business Education Agreement A two year agreement between NIOSH and the Center for Business and Public Policy (CBPP) at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business will establish a framework for collaborative programs and projects integrating occupational safety and health with economic research. Chicago Region Gearing Up for Emergency Preparedness and Worker Safety Conference The University of Findlay (OH) is the site of a conference on May 17th highlighting emergency preparedness planning and response activities. Back to Top May 2005 OSHA Fines Bridge Contractors $74,700 for Alleged Safety and Health Violations OSHA has cited J.D. Steel Company Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., and FRU-CON Construction Corporation, Ballwin, Mo., and proposed penalties totaling $74,700 for safety and health violations on the 4 Bears Bridge Construction Project. OSHA Fines Contractor $172,600 for Violations of Roofing and Scaffold Fall Standards OSHA has cited M.C. Roofing, Grand Forks, N.D., for exposing workers to fall hazards at two Grand Forks job sites. The agency is citing five alleged willful and four alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and proposing penalties totaling $172,600. OSHA Fines Three Contractors for Fall Hazards at Hampton, N.H., Jobsite Three contractors face a total of $67,600 in OSHA fines for a variety of fall hazards found at the construction site of five four-story townhouses in Hampton, N.H. OSHA Releases Findings in Fatal Austin, Texas, House Collapse OSHA has cited an Austin-based house leveling company for alleged violations of safety standards, following the investigation of a fatal accident last December. Proposed penalties total $14,700. Lanzo Construction Company Sentenced in Worker's Death On Oct. 21, 2004, Lanzo Construction Company was found guilty of a MIOSHA felony in the 1999 workplace fatality of their employee. The company received two year's probation and the maximum statutory penalty of $10,000 for the MIOSHA felony. New Fact Sheets Highlight Young Workers, Hispanic Outreach OSHA recently published two fact sheets highlighting safety and health issues for two specific groups of workers. The Young Workers fact sheet places youth worker safety and health materials at your fingertips. Hispanic Outreach is a new fact sheet that outlines OSHA's multi-pronged approach to improving workplace safety and health for Hispanic workers, and includes information on many Spanish-language publications availab OSHA Assumes Worker Regulatory Authority at DOE Site Near Chicago An addition to an existing memorandum of understanding between the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Energy (DOE) has resulted in the transfer of one site's occupational safety and health authority from DOE to OSHA. OSHA announced in an Apr. 27, 2005, Federal Register notice that it will assume regulatory authority for worker safety and health during the construction and operation of a Regional Biocontainment Laboratory located at Argonne National Laboratory, a DOE Government-Owned and Contractor-Operated (GOCO) facility, southwest of Chicago. DOL Expands Rule for Youth Employment in Roofing DOL final regulations implementing changes to employment rules for youth became effective February 14, 2005. The rules expand the current prohibition against youth under age 18 working in roofing occupations to encompass all work on or about a roof, including work performed upon or in close proximity to a roof. OSHA's Atlanta Region Signs Partnership With Atlantic Skanska OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office signed a partnership with Atlantic Skanska, Inc. (a heavy civil contractor), and the Georgia Consultation Office, to highlight worker safety during the construction of a Rome, GA, water pollution control plant. BLS Examines Fatalities at Roadway Construction Sites During a 7 year period from 1995 to 2002, 844 workers were killed while working at a roadway construction site, according to BLS economist Stephen Pegula in an article in the December 20o4 Monthly Labor Review. OSHA Partners with Turner Construction and Building Trades to Ensure Worker Safety and Health on Hartford's Town Square Project OSHA has signed a site safety and health construction partnership with Turner Construction Company Inc.'s Connecticut Business Unit and The Greater Hartford - New Britain Building and Construction Trades Council. The partnership seeks to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health at the Town Square Project, 225 Trumbull St., Hartford, Conn. OSHA Aligns with MBTA to Enhance Safe and Healthful Working Conditions for Transit Workers, Contractors, Sub-contractors Promoting safe and healthy working conditions for employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), its contractors and sub-contractors is the goal of a newly signed alliance between OSHA and the MBTA. OSHA, AGC of Massachusetts, Partner to Improve Safety and Health for Hispanic Construction Workers Helping Hispanic construction workers in Boston and southeastern Massachusetts protect themselves against occupational hazards is the goal of a newly signed alliance between the Braintree area office of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC). New Alliance to Promote Safety and Health for Hispanic Workers The Hispanic Association of Safety Professionals (HASP), signed an Alliance with OSHA's Dallas Region March 14 to promote safety and health for some 10,000 Hispanic workers in west Texas. HASP represents various construction and oil and gas companies in the Midland-Odessa area. OSHA Launches Alliance with Keystone Contractors Association to Protect Construction Workers OSHA and the Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) have joined forces to promote workplace safety and health for construction workers in Pennsylvania. OSHA Partners with Plaza Construction to Minimize Hazards, Maximize Safety and Health, on Projects in Manhattan and Queens OSHA has signed two site-safety and health construction partnerships with Plaza Construction Company to reduce serious hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health at two major New York City construction projects -- the West 60th. St. Realty Properties LLC and Columbus Ave. Construction Project in Manhattan and The Shops at Atlas Park, 800 Cooper Ave. in Queens. OSHA Seeking Information to Address Health Affects of Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation OSHA is asking for comments and information from the public to help the agency determine what, if anything, the agency should do to address its standards for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. The request for information is published in today's Federal Register. EPA Extends Permit Deadline for Stormwater Discharges from Oil and Gas Construction Activities EPA is extending the regulatory deadline that would require stormwater permit coverage for oil and gas construction activities that disturb between one and five acres of land until June 12, 2006. New Study Reveals Indoor Hazard of Water-Damaged Buildings NIOSH scientists and an outside colleague found that water-damaged facilities had a higher prevalence of asthma and other respiratory symptoms than expected. This research introduced more evidence that water damage contributing to mold and other microbial growth can negatively affect employees' respiratory health and business productivity. NIOSH Vermiculite Topic Page NIOSH information and publications related to vermiculite are now accessible through a new topic page. Working Together for Safety Captures Lessons from a State Team Approach to Young Worker Safety As the result of a cooperative agreement with NIOSH, the Education Development Center in Newton, MA spent three years working with New England states to pilot test a state team approach to addressing young worker issues through information and education activities. The experiences of those state teams are captured in a new NIOSH booklet, "Working Together for Safety." Study Finds Positive Link Between Safety and Productivity Health and safety measures have a positive impact not only on safety and health performance but also on company productivity, according to a study by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. CPSC, Stihl Inc. Announce Recall of Multi-Task Tools The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 45,000 KombiSystem Multi-Task Tools in voluntary cooperation with Stihl Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va. An internal clip may become dislodged and as a result, the clutch shoes could be projected from the clutch housing and strike consumers, posing the risk of injury. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. CPSC, American Standard Companies Announce Recall of Gas-Electric Heating/Cooling Units The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of over 18,000 Gas-Electric heating/cooling units in voluntary cooperation with Trane and American Standard, divisions of American Standard Inc., of Tyler, Texas. A gas leak can occur if there is a crack in the gas valve body near the inlet pipe connection. A build-up of gas in the burner compartment of the unit could occur, which could be ignited by an internal spark. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Events Chicago Region Gearing Up for Emergency Preparedness and Worker Safety Conference The University of Findlay in Findlay, OH, is the site of a one-day conference highlighting emergency preparedness planning and response activities. Joining the agency in "OSHA 2005 Emergency Preparedness and Worker Safety Conference" is the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Registration for the May 17 event is available online, or by contacting Mark Alliman at (419) 434-4135 or by email at: malliman@findlay.edu. Safety Training for Residential Construction Continues in Idaho OSHA's Seattle Region is working with the Idaho Associated General Contractors (Idaho AGC) and the Idaho Building Contractors Association to present training programs for the "Gem State's" residential construction industry. The training, designed for owners, managers, supervisors and foremen, includes a review of OSHA standards for residential construction, as well as an overview of fall protection systems and equipment, and provides information on safety inspection preparation. Training classes are scheduled for May 10, 11, 25, and June 6, 9, and 30 in various parts of the state. For more information or to register, contact Idaho AGC's Safety Program Manager Lisa Losness at (208) 344-2531 or via e-mail at llosness@agcidaho.org. OSHA to Participate in New York City Construction Safety Week OSHA's New York Region is joining with the New York City Department of Buildings and other agencies to provide safety training seminars during Construction Safety Week, May 2-7. The Manhattan area office will present an excavation safety symposium at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center on May 2. Events also include presentations from the NYC Department of Buildings; the American Society of Civil Engineers; the Structural Engineer's Association of New York; and the Plumbing Foundation of the City of New York. Back to Top June 2005 OSHA Unveils New Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program OSHA has announced a new training program designed to train skilled workers during emergency response and recovery operations. Oregon Receives Final Approval for its State Program OSHA has issued a certificate of final approval designating Oregon as the 17th state to receive final approval to operate its own occupational safety and health plan. Lead Hazards at Heinz Loft Project Bring OSHA Penalties PA painting contractor's failure to protect employees removing lead-based paint from the Heinz Loft Apartment project in Pittsburgh, has resulted in $106,800 in proposed OSHA penalties. OSHA, Fru-Con, Settle Citations Issued Following Maumee River Bridge Collapse OSHA has reached agreement with St. Louis-based Fru-Con Construction Company resolving citations issued following an investigation at two Ohio sites. OSHA Cites Florida and Michigan Companies Following Investigation of Fatality OSHA has cited Lake Michigan Contractors Inc. (LMC), Holland, Mich., and Kauff's of Fort Pierce Fl, following the investigation of an accident at Sailfish Point Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL. OSHA Fines Franklin, N.H., Contractor for Cave-In Hazards at Concord Worksite A Franklin, N.H., contractor's failure to protect workers against cave-ins at a Concord jobsite has resulted in $27,300 in proposed OSHA penalties. OSHA Cites Montana Contractor Following Investigation of Fatal Accident OSHA has cited FWS Design-Builders, a Canadian-based company, for unsafe working conditions following a fatal accident at a malting plant under construction near Great Falls, Mont. Proposed penalties total $130,000. OSHA Cites N.Y. Contractor for Fall Hazards at Construction Site Failure to protect workers against fall hazards during construction of the new Pittsford Library in Pittsford, N.Y., has led OSHA to propose $72,000 in penalties against Oldcastle Precast, Inc., Manchester, N.Y. Confined Space Hazards at Oklahoma Worksite Bring OSHA Citations and Fines Totaling $62,550 OSHA has issued citations against Cunningham Sandblasting and Painting Co. Inc. with proposed penalties totaling $62,550. The fines were assessed for alleged safety violations following an investigation at a company worksite on Highway 60, Road 409 in Nowata, Okla. OSHA Cites Five Contractors Following Worker Fatalities at Mississippi Construction Site OSHA has cited five contractors for exposing workers to safety hazards at a University of Mississippi, Oxford Campus, construction site. The agency has proposed penalties totaling $152,250 following its investigation of a fatal accident at the site. OSHA Cites Ga. Contractor Following Investigation of Trench Collapse OSHA has cited J. B. Stevens Construction Company Inc. and proposed penalties totaling $84,700 for exposing workers to willful and serious trench safety hazards at a Cumming, Ga., job site. Walnut Creek Explosion: Cal/OSHA Issues Multi-Employer Citation Cal/OSHA released citations to multiple employers for violations leading to a gas explosion on Nov. 9, 2004 fatally injuring 5 employees and seriously injuring 4 others. OSHA Alliance and Partnership News OSHA's Tarrytown, NY, Area Office signed an alliance with the Westchester (NY) Hispanic Coalition to develop Spanish-language training and education programs on safety in general industry and construction. Pennsylvania-based Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) signed on with OSHA's Harrisburg, PA, Area Office last month to promote workplace safety and health for construction workers throughout the state. OSHA and the National Demolition Association (NDA) have formed an Alliance that focuses on providing access to training resources to help protect worker safety and health in the demolition industry. Trench safety is the focus of an alliance signed May 24 between OSHA's Savannah, Ga., Area Office and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Safety and Health and Environmental Technology Division, and Savannah's chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. OSHA signed a new partnership agreement last month to further safety and health for workers involved in the construction of the Maynard Holbrook Jackson International Terminal at Atlanta's international airport. New Study Reveals Indoor Hazard of Water-Damaged Buildings NIOSH scientists and an outside colleague found that water-damaged facilities had a higher prevalence of asthma and other respiratory symptoms than expected. Moving Research to Practice: NIOSH Signs Agreement with Research and Technology Institute NIOSH and the Spokane Intercollegiate Research & Technology Center (SIRTI) signed a Technology Assessment Agreement to advance the movement of NIOSH research into workplace practice. St. Louis Man Sentenced for Environmental, Fraud Violations Phillip H. Cohn, of St. Louis, Mo., was sentenced for environmental fraud violations relating to environmental cleanup work at school site Events and Meetings June 12 - 15, Safety 2005, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), New Orleans; June 23, Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH), Washington, D.C. July 11, Asbestos Operations and Maintenance, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, S.C. July 25 - 29, 18th Annual Occupational Safety & Health Institute, Center for Occupational & Environmental Health at the University of California, Berkeley, Oakland, California September 13 - 14, Gulf Coast Safety & Security Conference and Exposition, Baton Rouge, La.; Back to Top August 2005 Safety and Health Bulletin Focuses on Excavator Bucket Hazards OSHA has published a new Safety and Health Information Bulletin following a fatal accident where an excavator bucket was released unexpectedly from a quick coupler. The Hazards of Inadequately Securing Hydraulic Excavator Buckets When Using Quick Coupling Devices outlines specific methods for workers and employers to address the hazards and prevent further accidents. OSHA Debuts New Pocket Guide on Construction Safety Employers and workers in the construction industry will benefit from a new OSHA Pocket Guide on Construction Safety. This quick-reference tool helps identify potential hazards and possible solutions to those hazards for the most frequently cited standards in construction. It also offers safety checklists on personal protection equipment, scaffolding, electricity, floor and wall openings, elevated surfaces, hazard communication, cranes, and forklifts to help avoid hazards that cause injuries, illnesses and fatalities. OSHA Seeks Comments on Lead in Construction Standard OSHA is seeking comments on its lead in construction standard that requires testing for lead exposures, provisions to protect workers from exposure where lead is present, and medical monitoring of exposed workers. Interested parties must submit comments by Sept. 6, 2005. Details on the lead in construction standard are in the June 6 Federal Register. OSHA Proposes Revised Rule on Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Installations OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register to update the standard for the construction of electric power transmission and distribution installations to make it consistent with the recently revised general industry standard. The agency is accepting public comments on the proposal until Oct. 13, 2005. Texas Contractor Cited three Times in Same Year for Excavation Hazards OSHA has cited Ramos Industries Inc. of Houston for trenching and excavation hazards for the third time in the last year, two of which occurred in December 2004 within a two-week period. OSHA Cites Dedham Contractor for Cave-In Hazards at Lowell Jobsite A Dedham, Mass., contractor's failure to supply cave-in protection for employees working at a Lowell, Mass., jobsite has resulted in $52,000 in proposed OSHA penalties. OSHA Cites Developer for Endangering Workers The developer of a multi-unit residential complex in Rochelle Park, N.J., has been cited by OSHA for multiple violations of safety and health standards. Proposed penalties total $121,000. Arkansas Masonry Contractor Fined $49,500 for Safety and Health Violations OSHA has cited Jimmie Bond Construction in Rogers, Ark., and proposed penalties totaling $49,500 for failing to protect workers on scaffolds from falls. Unsafe Trench May Cost Pittsburgh Contractor $62,000 Failure to provide a safe trenching operation for its workers could cost Pittsburgh, Pa. employer A. Merante Contracting, Inc., $62,000 in OSHA penalties for alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards. OSHA Fines Texas Company $133,000 Following Trenching Fatality OSHA has cited KCC Group Inc., Pearland, Texas, and proposed penalties totaling $133,000 for failing to protect workers from trenching hazards that led to an employee's death. OSHA Cites Texas Construction Company after Fatal Accident OSHA has issued citations to Cotton Construction Inc. of Waller, Texas, and proposed penalties totaling $70,800 for safety violations following the investigation of a fatality last January in Houston. OSHA Cites Alabama Contractor for Exposing Workers to Trenching Hazards OSHA has cited Gilco Contracting Co. Inc. for exposing workers to trenching hazards at a state OSHA Fines Georgia-based Construction Company $242,500 for Workplace Safety and Health Violations in Ohio OSHA issued citations against European Craft Construction of Buford, Ga., and its owner, Ioan Tampa, for workplace safety violations following a November 2004 inspection at a Chillicothe, Ohio, jobsite. Proposed penalties total $242,500. OSHA Cites Contractors Following Worker's Fatal Fall from George Washington Bridge A fall from the George Washington Bridge that killed an ironworker Feb.7 could have been prevented if his employer had ensured proper fall protection, reports OSHA. Scaffolding Hazards at Texas Worksite Bring OSHA Citations and Fines Totaling $190,800 OSHA cited Pearland, Texas-based Roeber Masonry Inc., for failure to protect workers from scaffolding and fall hazards. Proposed penalties total $190,800. Crane Collapse and Fall Hazards at Maine Construction Site Lead to $114,700 in OSHA Fines for Two Contractors The Dec. 2, 2004, tip-over of a crane at a hotel construction site in Freeport, Maine, has resulted in two contractors being fined a total of $114,700 by OSHA. OSHA cited J.D. Irving Ltd. and Irving Equipment Inc., Burlington, Mass., which operated the crane, and TRB Development Group Inc., Hooksett, N.H., the project's general contractor. OSHA Cites Florida Company Following Fatal Scaffolding Accident at Augusta, Ga., Plant OSHA has cited Bartow, Fla.-based Atlantic Scaffolding Inc. following investigation of a fatal accident at an International Paper Company facility in Augusta, Ga. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $78,000. OSHA Proposes $40,000 in Penalties Against Little Rock Construction Company OSHA has cited Flynco Inc., Little Rock, Ark., and proposed penalties totaling $40,000 for exposing employees to excavation hazards. OSHA Cites Jacksonville Contractor for Fall Hazards OSHA has cited E. C. Kenyon Construction Company, Inc., for failing to protect employees from fall hazards at a Jacksonville job site. Proposed penalties total $50,000. OSHA Cites Testa Corp. Following Fatal Craneway Collapse at Former Fore River Shipyard OSHA has cited Testa Corp., a Lynnfield, Mass., demolition contractor, for 15 alleged violations of safety and health standards following the collapse of a craneway at the former Fore River Shipyard in Braintree, Mass. Proposed penalties total $60,400. Roofing Contractor Fined $85,000 for Failing to Correct Job Safety Violations OSHA has issued a "Notification of Failure to Abate Alleged Violations" and an other-than-serious citation with total proposed penalties of $85,000 to USA Roofing & Construction Inc. and its successor company, USA Roofing of Central Florida Inc., in Omaha. Two Virginia Companies and Two Individuals Plead Guilty in False Asbestos and Lead Certificates Case Two Men Convicted of Illegal Asbestos Removal in the Virgin Islands Utah Man Indicted in Asbestos Case Connecticut Man Pleads to Illegal Asbestos Removal OSHA Partnerships and Alliances News Finger Lakes, NY Occupational Health Services, Form Alliance to Educate Construction Workers About Lead and Silica Hazards L.F. Driscoll Co. Recognized For Safety Success at University of Pennsylvania Hospital Project - First Philadelphia Construction Site in OSHA's "VPP" OSHA and Worcester, Mass. Contractors Partner for Job Safety OSHA and AGC Building Partnership in South Dakota OSHA Joins Dartmouth College and State of N.H. to Enhance Job Safety and Health for Construction Workers in the Upper Valley OSHA and Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Renew National Alliance OSHA Teams with South Florida Associated General Contractors for Construction Safety New Alliance Will Promote Safety and Health For Electrical Workers in North Texas NIEHS Publishes Training Guidance for Workers Exposed to Mold The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program has released a set of guidelines for developing mold worker protection training programs. NIOSH, European Agency Launch Joint Web Site NIOSH and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work have launched a joint Web site to provide the occupational safety and health (OSH) community with improved access and sharing of the vast pool of European and American OSH expertise and research. The Web site follows the structure and presentation of the European Agency's Web site network and represents a significant contribution to the creation of a global portal to workplace safety and health information. The Web site can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/usnetwork. Events World Safety Congress and National Safety Council to Meet in September Safety and health experts from around the world will gather in Orlando, Florida this fall for two prominent international and national conferences. On September 18-22, 2005, NIOSH along with a number of other private and public sector organizations will co-support the XVIIth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. The Congress, jointly organized by the International Labor Organization, the International Social Security Association and the National Safety Council, will serve as an international forum for approximately 3000 professionals to exchange ideas, research, and best practices on highly topical issues in the area of occupational safety and health. This marks the first time the Congress will be held in the U.S. http://www.safety2005.org. Back to Top September 2005 BLS Releases National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries In 2004 A total of 5,703 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2004, an increase of 2 percent from the revised total of 5,575 fatal work injuries reported for 2003. Fatal falls increased by 17 percent to a new series high. The number of fatal work injuries in the construction sector rose 8 percent in 2004, but because of employment increases in this sector, the fatality rate for construction was not significantly higher than the rate reported in 2003. Safety Information Available for Hurricane Cleanup and Recovery Workers Hurricane Katrina's devastation of the Gulf Coast has prompted massive recovery operations. OSHA has a special information page on its Web site that provides important information and resources to ensure worker safety during these operations. Some of the hazards addressed include electrical work, fall protection, safe operation of chain saws, and working around downed electrical wires. Future public service announcements will also be posted on this site. OSHA Extends Comment Period for Lead in Construction Standard OSHA is extending until Nov. 7, 2005, the comment period for its lead in construction standard that requires testing for lead exposures, provisions to protect workers from exposure where lead is present, and medical monitoring of exposed workers. The comment period extension will be announced in the Aug. 29, 2005, Federal Register. OSHA Cites Viaero Wireless for Alleged Safety Violations OSHA has cited NE Colorado Cellular Inc., Fort Morgan, Colo., doing business as Viaero Wireless, for unsafe working conditions, following a fatal accident at a communications tower. Proposed penalties total $115,500. OSHA Cites Contractors for Safety Hazards at Lake Worth, Fla., Site OSHA has cited two Florida construction contractors and proposed total penalties of $117,550 after inspecting a job site in Lake Worth, Fla. OSHA Fines Guam Construction Company $147,000 Following Fatal Fall OSHA has cited Big Light Construction for alleged safety violations following the investigation of a Feb. 22 accident in which an employee fell to his death from the roof of a gas station under construction in Dededo, Guam. Proposed penalties total $147,000. OSHA Fines Companies Nearly $112,000 For Exposing Workers to Asbestos Hazards OSHA has cited American Electric Power Company, Inc. and its subsidiary Appalachian Power Company for alleged worker safety and health violations involving asbestos at the Phillip Sporn generating plant in New Haven, W.Va., and proposed $110,000 in penalties. OSHA Cites Two Contractors for Cave-In Hazards at NH Work Site Two Granite State contractors face a total of $29,900 in OSHA fines for failing to supply cave-in protection and other safeguards for employees working in an excavation at a Wolfeboro, N.H., job site. OSHA Cites Four Companies and Proposes Penalties Totaling $115,250 for Hazards at Atlanta Construction Site OSHA has cited four construction companies for exposing workers to safety hazards at an Atlanta building site. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $115,250. New OSHA Partnership and Alliances Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards Ohio North Coast Building Industry Association Boat People SOS – Springfield, MA Branch Office . Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (MDOS), the Massachusetts Department of Education (MDOE), the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA), the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers (MFT) and the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA). Cal/OSHA Board Approves Emergency Heat Illness Rules The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board of California's state OSHA program (Cal/OSHA) has voted to adopt emergency regulations for heat illness prevention. California Division of Labor Statistics And Research Shows Fatalities Declining As Employment Numbers Grow Data released by the California Division of Labor Statistics and Research shows the number of workplace fatalities continued to decline in California in 2004 while employment numbers rose. Last year, 416 of California's 17,552,000 workers were fatally injured on the job, down from 456 of California's 16,283,000 workers killed in 2003. North Carolina Imposes Regulations for Communication Towers The country’s first workplace safety rules on communication towers are now in effect in North Carolina. Contractors and Labor Organizations Join State To Launch Hawaii Fall Protection Media Awareness Campaign Governor Linda Lingle, state Labor and Industrial Relations Director Nelson Befitel, contractors and union organizations today launched a workplace safety campaign designed to raise awareness among construction industry workers and their families about the importance of Hawaii’s Fall Protection Law. The Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) and MIOSHA Form Alliance to Protect Construction Workers Minnesota Legislation Affects Workplace Safety Two bills were passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty that relate directly to the Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) program. DOE Cites Fluor Fernald Inc. for Nuclear Safety Violations The Department of Energy (DOE) today notified Fluor Fernald, Inc. (Fluor Fernald) that it will fine the company $33,000 for violations of the department’s nuclear safety requirements. Fluor Fernald is the department’s contractor responsible for environmental cleanup activities at the Fernald Closure Project.  U.S. Department of Transportation Issues New Rules Regulating Work and Sleep Schedules for Commercial Truck Drivers The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today issued a new Hours-of-Service rule that spells out the length of time commercial drivers can operate trucks before they are required to take a break. The new rule is the product of years of research meant to keep drivers healthy and make highways safer, officials said today. IAFC Launches Near-Miss Reporting System for the Fire Service Firefighters can now report near-miss (or close call) events, which the fire service will track and analyze to reduce future incidents. Mayo Clinic Case Series Illuminates Connection Between Welding, Brain Damage A Mayo Clinic case series analysis has pinpointed for the first time syndromes associated with toxic damage to the brain and nervous system from manganese fumes generated during welding. The analysis also revealed that all affected patients shared a risk factor: welding with inadequate ventilation. The findings appeared in the June 28 print issue of Neurology. Energy Department Announces $4 Million Solicitation for Solid-State Lighting Research Technology has Potential to Double Lighting Efficiency in U.S., Lowering Energy Bills The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a $4 million solicitation for research into solid-state lighting (SSL) that has the potential to create light with virtually no heat and double the efficiency of general lighting systems, saving energy costs for consumers and reducing lighting’s environmental impact. Core SSL technologies include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and light-emitting polymers. Consumer Product Safety Comission Recalls Kadant Composites Inc. - GeoDeck™ Decking and Railing Materials JS Products and Mac Tools - 3/8-Inch Drive Cordless Drill/Driver Cordless Drill/Drivers Kidde - Kidde 10 lb. industrial dry chemical fire extinguishers with black plastic Zytel® nylon valves in steel cylinders Events World Safety Congress and National Safety Council to Meet in September Safety and health experts from around the world will gather in Orlando, Florida this fall for two prominent international and national conferences. On September 18-22, 2005, NIOSH along with a number of other private and public sector organizations will co-support the XVIIth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. The Congress, jointly organized by the International Labor Organization, the International Social Security Association and the National Safety Council, will serve as an international forum for approximately 3000 professionals to exchange ideas, research, and best practices on highly topical issues in the area of occupational safety and health. This marks the first time the Congress will be held in the U.S. http://www.saf