Articles Posted in Workplace Safety

After an inspector from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) observed an employee working unprotected in a 6-foot deep excavation at a worksite in Randolph, a Pembroke-based company now faces over $55,000 in proposed fines. The inspection in December, 2009 revealed that the trench lacks cave-in protection and a safe means for workers to leave the trench. OSHA mandates that any excavation deeper than five feet be protected against collapse.

OSHA has given the construction company two willful citations for the missing ladder and unprotected excavation. The fines total $50,000 for the willful citations. In addition, the company also received two serious citations for the excavator at the trench’s edge and the lack of a high visibility vest for an excavator exposed to vehicular traffic. The fines for the serious citations total. Lastly, the company also received one other-than-serious citation for an incomplete injury and illness log. That citation comes with a $1,200 fine.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, participate in an informal conference with their area director for OSHA, or contest the findings.

Source: Contractor Digs Up $55K Penalty for Cave-In, Other Hazards, OHSOnline.com, January 9, 2010 Continue reading

Massachusetts is among the six states that currently require construction workers to complete OSHA’s 10-hour construction safety training course before they can work on certain construction projects. The other states includes Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, and Missouri. Nevada’s new OSHA training law will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

OSHA developed its 10-hour construction outreach training course as a voluntary safety course to teach workers about the hazards of construction work and the regulations that apply to their worksite. While several states have made the training mandatory in an attempt to reduce the number of construction accidents and injuries, some larger companies also have an authorized OSHA trainer on staff. OSHA has also authorized workers to take the required class online and receive the wallet card through the mail.

Several states only require the training for workers on publicly funded construction sites, but Nevada will require all construction workers to complete the training.

OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Course Now Mandatory in Seven States, Reuters, September 1, 2009 Continue reading

In Gloucester, Massachusetts, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will lead an all-day safety training workshop this Thursday, April 23. The workplace safety seminar is presented by the Contractor’s Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and leads to the awarding of an OSHA 10 Certificate, which is a requirement for workers in many states.

Massachusetts has required an OSHA 10 certificate on all prevailing rate jobs since August of 2006 and many places are increasingly requiring the certificate on non-prevailing rate jobs. Understanding safety regulations is especially important for construction workers, as their jobs may expose them to hazards such as explosions, crane accidents, fires, welding accidents, and more.

Randy Purser of Crane’s Safety Institute in Ashland will lead the workshop. Contact the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at 978-283-1601 or info AT CapeAnnChamber DOT com to register.

OSHA seminar for tradespeople planned for April 23, WickedLocal.com, April 17, 2009 Continue reading

A Massachusetts construction company has been issued $60,000 in proposed fines for allegedly failing to provide cave-in protection for workers at an excavation site in Taunton.

Inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration drove by the site on October 28, 2008 and noticed employees installing a drain line in the 6-foot, 3-inch deep excavation. The excavations sidewalls were not properly shored to prevent a collapse and workers did not have a ladder or other safe means of exit. OSHA standards require cave-in protection when an excavation is 5 feet or deeper.

Because of these safety concerns, OSHA issued G. Lopes Construction Inc. one willful citation with a proposed fine of $56,000 for the lack of cave-in protection and one serious citation for the absence of a ladder (that proposed fine is $4,000).

The construction company has 15 business days from the time they receive the citation to comply, request a conference with the OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed fine.

OSHA Proposes $60,000 in Fines Against Mass. Contractor for Cave-In Hazard, EHSToday.com, April 14, 2009 Continue reading

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a safety partnership with the Burlington-based construction company Erland Construction. The goal of the partnership is to maximize worker safety and health at the Covidien West Street construction project in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

According to Brenda Gordon, OSHA’s South Boston Area Office director, “this partnership is designed to encourage, recognize and assist contractors who want to minimize hazards and enhance their safety and health performance.”

As part of the agreement, Erland will develop a project-specific safety and health plan. A qualified safety and health representative will implement and supervise the project.

Since 1998, over 1.4 million employees and almost 28,000 employers have participated in strategic partnerships with OSHA.

U.S. Labor Department’s OSHA Partners With Erland Construction To Enhance Safety And Health At Mansfield, Mass., Construction Project, SafetyOnline.com, April 9, 2009 Continue reading

According to a report released by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number and rate of non-fatal illnesses and injuries sustained on the job and requiring time away from work decreased from 2006 to 2007. Overall, the number of cases declined 2 percent for all injures. The report also states that sprains and strains were the most common type of workplace injuries and illnesses. The number of sprain and strain cases decreased 5 percent in 2007 as compared to 2006.

However, the median number of days away from work as the result of an injury has not changed since 2004. That number remains steady at 7 days, although it varies according to industry. Those in the goods-producing industry reported a median of 9 days. Transportation and warehousing had a median of 14 days, and the mining sector had the highest median days away from work at 27. Over a quarter of all days-away-from work cases resulted in 31 or more days away from work.

Workers age 65 or older tend to experience longer work absences as the result of an injury. Since men tend to work in jobs and industries with a higher risk of injury, they reported a 22 percent higher rate of injury than women. Men had an incidence of 134 per 10,000 workers as compared to 105 per 10,000 workers in women.

Non-fatal work injuries/illnesses drop in U.S. industry, ReliablePlant.com Continue reading

A recent white paper authored Ken Nogan, Risk Control Consultant at PMA Insurance Group, reports that the number of people ages 65 and older in the workforce has increased over 100 percent since 1977 and more than half of those workers are working full-time.

These workers are at a higher risk for falls and can take two to three times longer to heal from an injury as compared to a younger counterpart. Falls account for over a third all injuries in workers over age 65, according to the white paper.

The author suggests doing an ergonomic evaluation of workstations and workspaces to identify causes of fatigue and strain. He also recommends that safety measures include slip and fall prevention and that companies consider risk control measures to meet the needs of this demographic. The complete white paper is available from PMAGroup.com.

Safety Modifications Important for Aging Workforce, ClaimsJournal.com, March 10, 2009 Continue reading

22News reported about the Massachusetts Labor department’s information fair, which was held recently in Springfield. Experts from the department offered information for concerned workers, answering questions about getting injured at work and other issues.

One man told 22News that he suffered injuries on the job but was hesitant to complain for fear that his boss might fire him. A representative from the occupational health division assured the man that he is covered under the law by OSHA.

Many injured workers fail to report injuries for these same reasons; however, they should understand that in many cases they are entitled to workers’ compensation to cover medical costs, disability payments, and 60% of their average income.

Information fair for Mass. Labor unions, WWLP.com, March 4, 2009 Continue reading