Construction

Corvallis, OR – Sufficient lighting, portable signs and visible police presence are among several contributing factors that help improve worker safety on highway paving projects, according to a study from Oregon State University.

Rigging – when workers prepare equipment to be lifted by cranes, hoists or other material-handling machinery – is a common work process on shipyard and construction sites, among others. Performing rigging operations safely is critical.

Washington – The construction industry should be exempt from OSHA’s forthcoming proposed rule on beryllium, according to a manufacturer of industrial abrasives.

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).

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

Oakland, CA – More than 80 worker safety violations were identified during an enforcement blitz that took place Aug. 27 at construction sites across California.

Washington – OSHA is reconsidering Arizona’s State Plan status in light of a state statute that changed residential construction fall protection requirements to a level the federal agency claims is not “at least as effective” as federal requirements.

Salt Lake City – Citing 2012 data showing that 64 percent of worker deaths in the state occurred in the construction industry, Utah OSHA has launched a Local Emphasis Program aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities among construction workers.

Washington – A fall prevention guide recently released by NIOSH aims to help building owners and designers build more safety features into their facilities rather than relying on back-end controls.