Construction

Tallahassee, FL — Citing statistics that show construction workers have accounted for more than 1 out of 4 workplace fatalities in the state in recent years, the Florida Chamber Safety Council has launched a campaign aimed at reducing deaths and injuries in the industry.

La Grange, IL — Unionized construction worksites may be nearly a fifth less likely to incur OSHA health and safety violations than their nonunionized counterparts, with positive effects on safety even more prevalent in the Midwest, a recent report shows.

Washington — OSHA has extended until Jan. 26 the comment period for a proposed rule aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat exposure in indoor and outdoor settings.

Boston — The rate of opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts workers in 2016 and 2017 rose 83.7% over the previous five-year period, with construction and agricultural occupations experiencing dramatic jumps, according to a recent report from the state’s Department of Public Health.

The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is an annual event. But employers should focus on fall prevention all year.

Silver Spring, MD — Safe use of tower cranes – typically used to construct skyscrapers and other large structures – is the subject of a recently published toolbox talk from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training.

Washington — More than half of workers who are exposed to hazardous noise on the job don’t consistently use hearing protection, results of a recent NIOSH study show.

Silver Spring, MD — A toolbox talk recently published by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training features guidance on planning a safe lift with a crane.

New York — New York City Department of Buildings inspectors issued nearly 3,700 violations during a citywide “zero tolerance” construction safety enforcement campaign, DOB Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca recently announced.

Washington — OSHA is requesting stakeholder input as it moves toward creating a rule to protect workers from extreme heat exposure in indoor and outdoor settings.