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OSHA’s reported 116 fatalities and 7,270 violations due to falls or lack of fall protection in the US in 2018. Of the 116 reported fatalities 71 cases resulted in a citation being issued.

Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, presented preliminary data for OSHA’s Top 10 most-cited violations for fiscal year 2018, which ended Sept. 30. Where Kevin Druley, associate editor for S+H Magazine, moderated the session.

“The Top 10 represents the most frequently cited standards, and they are a good place to start for the employer in identifying hazards in their own workplace,” Kapust said during the presentation

See the full list below:

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 7,270 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 4,552
3. Scaffolding (1926.451): 3,336
4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 3,118
5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,944
6. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,812
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,294
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,982
9. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,972
10. Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,536

“Knowing how workers are hurt can go a long way toward keeping them safe,” NSC President and CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman said in an Oct. 23 press release. “The OSHA Top 10 list calls out areas that require increased vigilance to ensure everyone goes home safely each day.”

The following references from OSHA aid in recognizing and evaluating fall protection hazards in the workplace https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/evaluation.html.

Safety Advantage also offers fall protection training and Target Safety fall protection training. Training to prevent fall hazards before the work begins will help the employer to manage these hazards and focus attention on prevention efforts before an accident occurs.

According to the article posted 10/23/18 by FOX26 Houston, The Zachary Group suffered a tremendous loss when a bus that was transporting 30 employees lost control on the highway and crashed. The crash resulted in irreversible damage, taking one employees life – and sending dozens of others to the surrounding hospitals.

Sometimes this is the kind of thing that cannot be prevented, because accidents happen – right?! Yet still it’s no less devastating to the employer, and family of the injured. This happened during the transportation of employees by the company to another facility, where they least expected an incident to take place. Making this one of those scenarios that could result in hefty fines and repercussions on the company.

OSHA’s reports indicate that in 2018 there have been 8 fatalities by vehicular accidents reported that resulted in a citation related to the accident; and 22 not resulting in a citation. That is a total of 30 fatalities reported in 2018, caused by car accidents.

If you dont already have a program or training in place for driving safety, you might want to think again about including it.

https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html

http://www.fox26houston.com/news/1-dead-after-bus-carrying-workers-overturns-in-freeport?fbclid=IwAR04DUJD5_DT2BPJhDk45gdC3LMng0nQ6x2PMwrJWyJ7O5El_2j1eG4lniI

According to an article posted on the OSHA.org website, OSHA alongside the Department of Labor are offering assistance to the areas affected by Hurricane Micheal.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is actively engaged with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies and is prepared to provide assistance.

• Most OSHA programmed enforcement actions will cease in the affected areas and compliance assistance will be available during the recovery effort. OSHA will continue to respond to fatal workplace and life altering injuries.
• OSHA is actively engaged with the intergovernmental response.
• OSHA makes technical assistance and resources available to help protect those participating in cleanup and recovery efforts. Call OSHA toll-free at 1-800-321-6742 with any questions.

Are you helping with the cleanup and recovery efforts? If you are not sure of the proper PPE for the job, use this OSHA fact Sheet below.

      In 2017, Hurricane Harvey battered the Gulf Coast causing an estimated $125 billion in damage, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November and peaks between August and October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins mid May and also ends in November. OSHA Code 29 C.F.R. 1910.38 requires all workplaces with more than 10 employees to develop a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP), when required by an OSHA standard, to identify and coordinate necessary employer and employee actions during an emergency.

Employers should have an effective means of communicating with employees about the following during an emergency:

• Whether to evacuate or stay put;
• How and where to get information about the emergency itself;
• What areas of the building to avoid;
• How and when it is safe to return to the work area;
• How and when it is acceptable to contact family members and loved ones.

OSHA’s website provides a Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work, outlining the most commonly performed duties during hurricane response and recovery work, and the hazards employees could face. OSHA has developed specific standards to address many of these hazards. For example, OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard, 29 C.F.R. § 1910.120, applies to employees who are performing clean-ups of hazardous waste or other hazardous materials. OSHA’s asbestos and lead standards require employers to evaluate the level or exposure to employees, provide appropriate protective equipment, and in some cases, conduct regular monitoring of air quality in the work area.

https://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/hurricane/index.html

Trenching and excavation work exposes workers to extremely dangerous hazards.

According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) data, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 130 fatalities recorded in trenching and excavation operations between 2011 and 2016. The private construction industry accounted for 80%, or 104, of those fatalities. An alarming 49% of those construction fatalities occurred between 2015 and 2016. In summary, of the104 fatalities in this industry:

1. 40 (38%) were at industrial places and premises;
2. 39 (38%) were at private residences; and
3. 21 (20%) occurred at streets or highways.

State Plan Impact – Notice of Intent and Adoption Required.

1. This instruction describes a federal program change which updates

OSHA’s NEP covering trenching and excavation operations. States with OSHA-approved State Plans are expected to have enforcement policies and procedures in place for their trenching and excavation inspections which are at least as effective as those in this instruction.

1. OSHA-approved State Plans are required to notify OSHA within 60 days whether they intend to adopt policies and procedures identical to those in this instruction or adopt or maintain different policies and procedures.
2. If a State Plan adopts or maintains policies and procedures that differ from federal policies and procedures, the State Plan must identify the differences and may either post its policy on its website and provide the link to OSHA or submit an electronic copy to OSHA with information on how the public may obtain a copy.

If the State Plan adopts policies and procedures that are identical to federal policies and procedures, the State Plan must provide the date of adoption to OSHA. State Plan adoption must be accomplished within 6 months, with posting or submission of documentation within 60 days of adoption. OSHA will provide summary information on the State Plan responses to this instruction on its website at: www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html

State Plans are OSHA-approved workplace safety and health programs operated by individual states or U.S. territories. There are currently 22 State Plans covering both private sector and state and local government workers, and there are six State Plans covering only state and local government workers. State Plans are monitored by OSHA and must be at least as effective as OSHA in protecting workers and in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Commercial construction leaders have voiced concern for higher safety risks resulting from a shortage of skilled workers, according to the most recent survey conducted by USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Commercial Construction Index for the third quarter of 2018 was released Sept. 6. More than 2,700 online survey responses were taken from industry leaders such as general contractors and construction managers, among others between July 11 and July 20.

“This quarter, we heard that the scarce talent pool is affecting more than schedule performance and jobsite efficiency — 80 percent of contractors agree that the skilled labor shortage also impacts jobsite safety.”

Over half of the respondents reported that workers lacking skills are increasing safety risks, and 62 percent say those workers will continue to increase safety risks in the next three years.

“The commercial construction industry is growing, but the labor shortage remains unresolved,” USG President and CEO Jennifer Scanlon said in a press release. “As contractors are forced to do more with less, a renewed emphasis on safety is imperative to the strength and health of the industry. It continues to be important for organizations to build strong and comprehensive safety programs.”

A qualified rigger is a rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person – per OSHA. Employers must determine whether a person is qualified to perform specific

rigging tasks. Each qualified rigger may have different credentials or experience. A qualified

rigger is a person that:

• possesses a recognized degree, certificate, or

professional standing, or

• has extensive knowledge, training, and experience,

and

• can successfully demonstrate the ability to solve problems related to rigging loads.

The person designated as the qualified rigger must have the ability to properly rig the load for a particular job. It does not mean that a rigger must be qualified to do every type of rigging job. Each load that requires rigging has unique properties that can range from the simple to the complex.

cranes-qualified-rigger-factsheet

Rigging Safety Tips

• Check the weather conditions before the lift. If the weather is extreme, postpone the lift until the weather is cooperative.
• Double check that the system of communication you have in place with the operator(s) is effective and functioning properly.
• Check the lift area and load path for obstructions such as buildings, poles, towers, power lines, etc.
• Make sure the receiving area is firm, flat, and free from loose objects that could fly up when the load is delivered.
• Be sure to establish the weight of the load and determine the load’s center of gravity.
• Determine the proper type of hitch based on the type of load.
• Inspect all rigging hardware before you use it. Never use defective hardware. Take defective hardware out of service immediately.
• Remember to protect slings from cuts and tears when lifting items with sharp edges.
• Never make a shackle to shackle connection.
• Always wear a proper PPE such as a hard hat and approved work gloves.
• Be sure that your work boots or work shoes have built in toe protection (steel toe). It is especially important to have this protection when you are receiving a load.
• Whenever possible plan to rig the load so that it will be lifted straight up, which will help prevent the load from swinging.
• Never tie two or more slings together.
• Never attach a sling directly to a lifting lug, always use a shackle. Never run a sling through a set of lifting lugs or eyebolts. Doing so creates too much tension on the lugs or eyebolts.

Before You Dig:

• Establish a safety plan
• Know the location of all possible underground installations that may be encountered during excavation
• Best practice to safety prepare – contact all the associated electric, water, gas, etc. companies as far in advance as possible.

Know the Soil Classification;

• Stable Rock – Type A – Type B – Type C
  • A competent person should inspect and test the soil to know its classification.
    • Ask these 3 important questions;
      • Is the soil Granular or Cohesive?
      • Is the soil Fissured or Non-Fissured?
      • What is the Unconfined compressive strength measured in TSF.
    • Determine what protective system or support system is needed

Remember After you Dig:

• A competent person should inspect all excavations and trenches daily, prior to employee exposure or entry, and after any rainfall, soil change, or at any other time needed during the shift. The competent person must take prompt measures to eliminate any and all hazards.
• Always wear your PPE, and follow ALL safety precautions.
• Keep all equipment and Dirt piles at least 2 feet away from the edge of the trench to avoid a Cave-in.
• A Cave-in can be deadly, protect yourself and your coworkers by reporting any unsafe working conditions.

Three ways First Aid, CPR, & AED training can better prepare employees for workplace emergencies

1. Early defibrillation is the only treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. Install AEDs across your organization, campus’ and vehicles along with a first aid kit. This will ensure that the medical supplies are readily accessible if/when an emergency does occur.
2. Implement a safety plan for responding to emergencies. Include a contact list for first responders in the area. If its life threatening, Do nothing and Call 911!
3. Training employees in First Aid, CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), will make the workplace safer, and provide security to your employees that there is someone of staff that is certified to react in emergency medical situations.

DID YOU KNOW ? ? ?

OSHA requires First Aid and CPR training in certain working conditions such as Logging operations (29 CFR 1910.266), Permit-required confined spaces (29 CFR 1910.146), and Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution (29 CFR 1910.269)

OSHA also states that in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid (29 CFR 1910.151)