Construction & Utilities

Kansas City, MO – Noting that more than one-third of all incident investigations in four Midwest states involve vehicle-related struck-by fatalities, OSHA has established a Regional Emphasis Program to help reduce the number of these incidents.

Washington – Employers seeking free safety training materials now have a resource to guide them through OSHA’s Resource Center Loan Program.

Phoenix – As it faces losing its State Plan status, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health is standing by its assertion that the state’s fall protection standard is “as effective as” federal OSHA’s requirement.

Silver Spring, MD – Managers hoping to improve their workplace safety climate can reference a new workbook from the Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR).

Vienna, VA – The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety is encouraging employers to bolster their safety culture as part of Drive Safely Work Week (Oct. 6-10).

Washington – OSHA is delaying by three years its certification requirements for crane operators, the agency announced in a final rule published Sept. 25.

San Diego – In a rebuke to behavior-based safety theories, OSHA administrator David Michaels said occupational injuries are not the result of workers’ personal choices, and that blaming workers for their own injuries must stop.

Indianapolis – In 2013, 123 Indiana workers died – an increase from 115 in 2012 – but it was still the third lowest number recorded, according to the Indiana Department of Labor.

Seoul, South Korea – Working more than 40 hours per week increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, indicates a new study from Seoul National University.

Farmington, CT – The overall rate of occupational diseases in Connecticut declined between 2011 and 2012, but still remains higher than the national average, according to a recent study from the University of Connecticut Health Center.