Contractors

Oak Ridge, TN — Contract workers are testing new remote equipment designed to help them avoid “some of the most challenging, contaminated environments” involving radioactive material during deactivation and demolition projects at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy says.

Silver Spring, MD — As elevated suicide rates continue to impact the construction industry, “showing up authentically and compassionately” is vital for supervisors or employees who think a co-worker is at immediate risk, one expert says.

Chicago — Nearly 2 out of 3 construction workers in the United States have experienced anxiety or depression in the past year, results of a recent annual survey show.

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA has issued a hazard bulletin after investigating recent incidents involving heavy construction equipment that resulted in workers being injured and killed.

Arlington, VA — Third-party ratings for safety equipment shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for compliance or regulatory standards, the International Safety Equipment Association cautions in a Sept 29 statement.

Watertown, SD — Does your communications tower contractor have a written safety and health program? Does the contractor agree to always keep a competent person at the jobsite?

Toronto — A free guide from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association highlights best practices for safely using mast climbing work platforms.

Never underestimate the importance of planning ahead.

Toronto — After conducting a silica and dust exposure assessment for six work tasks in the concrete floor trade, the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association has published a summary of its findings.

Portland, OR — A new training course intended to help construction supervisors recognize and appropriately respond to workers experiencing mental health issues is free to access throughout September in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.