EHS Today Fall Protection
Two New ANSI Standards Address Fall Safety
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved two American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) standards addressing fall protection, the new ANSI/ASSE Z359.14-2012, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems, and the revised ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2012, Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components. The standards are part of the Z359 Fall Protection Code. ...
Three Contractors Cited by OSHA for Fall Hazards
OSHA cited general contractor Arberia & Associates and subs K&G Haxhari Construction (carpentry) and Mondi Construction Inc. (masonry) for a total of 21 alleged violations of workplace safety standards with $71,340 in total penalties for violations at a worksite in the Bronx. ...
Don’t Blow Fall Protection for the Wind Energy Industry
Vertical systems, harnesses, lanyards and climbing systems must be developed for the variety of fall hazards associated with tower construction, maintenance and rescue. ...
OSHA Releases New Construction Safety Videos
"Falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths. These falls happen in a split second while workers are on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, bridges and other work surfaces. But these deaths can be prevented." So begins one of OSHA's 12 new videos targeting construction hazards...
ISEA Offers New Fall Protection Guide, FAQs
"A comprehensive fall protection program prevents injuries, saves lives and makes good business sense." So begins the International Safety Equipment Association's (ISEA) new fall protection use and selection guide....
Court Rejects Challenge to OSHA’s Fall Protection Directive
On April 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed the National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA) petition for review of OSHA’s December 2010 directive on the use of fall protection in residential construction. The directive withdrew an earlier one that allowed certain residential construction employers to bypass some fall protection requirements...
OSHA Releases Guidance on Preventing Fall-Related Injuries, Deaths among Residential Construction Workers
On April 8, OSHA issued a new guidance to help employers prevent fall-related injuries and deaths among residential construction workers...
Researchers: Walk Quickly, Don’t Shuffle, on Slippery Surfaces
By studying helmeted guinea fowl, birds that react to slips and falls much like humans do, researchers concluded that moving quickly in a forward, firm-footed stance across a slippery surface is less likely to lead to a fall than if you shuffle or move slowly...
Indiana OSHA Cites Notre Dame $77,500 following Death of Student Employee
On March 15, the Indiana Department of Labor cited the University of Notre Dame with the most serious safety violation allowable under Indiana law for the fatal injury of 20-year-old student employee Declan Sullivan...
Protecting Workers from Falls on Rolling Stock, Commercial Motor Vehicles
In May 2010, OSHA requested additional comments on whether specific regulations are needed to cover falls from rolling stock and commercial motor vehicles. Fall Protection Systems Corp. (FPS), a Florissant, Mo.-based fall protection company, explains why fall protection for these workers could prevent occupational injuries and fatalities...
OSHA Announces Fall Protection Directive
OSHA has announced a new directive withdrawing a former one that allowed residential builders to bypass fall protection requirements. The previous directive, issued in 1995 and initially intended as a temporary policy, reflected concerns about the feasibility of fall protection in residential building construction. A continuing high number of fall-related deaths in construction, however, has led industry experts to feel that feasibility is no longer an issue or concern...
Don't Get In Over Your Head: Fall Protection for Tower Workers
When selecting fall protection equipment for tower workers, consider factors such as performance, safety, comfort and mobility...
OSHA Reissues Shipbreaking National Emphasis Program, Updates Shipyard PPE Directive
OSHA issued two directives on Nov. 4 to update its National Emphasis Program on Shipbreaking and its Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in Shipyard Employment...
ASSE Stresses the Importance of Zoo Safety
With nearly 300 zoos in the United States and more than 1,000 worldwide, zoos represent a form of entertainment and educational activity that has been around for centuries. From the design of animal habitats to procedures for fall protection, fire plans and more, a zoo safety professional’s work is critical to the success of the park, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) pointed out...
Two NH Contractors Cited by OSHA after Worker Falls
OSHA has cited North Ridge Contracting Inc. and CMGC Building Corp. for safety violations after a North Ridge worker was injured in a fall at 100 Innovative Way in Nashua, N.H. North Ridge Contracting of Deerfield, N.H., faces a total of $44,000 in proposed fines, following the July 27 incident in which a worker tripped and fell 14 feet during the dismantling of a stairway at the Benchmark Electronics building...
OSHA Cites NY and PA Contractors Following a Scaffold Collapse
OSHA has cited two contractors for alleged serious violations of safety standards following a June 2 scaffold collapse at Binghamton University in Vestal, N.Y., that injured six workers...
OSHA to Hold Informal Hearing on Walking-Working Surfaces Rule
OSHA will hold an informal public hearing beginning Jan. 18, 2011, on the proposed rule revising the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards to improve worker protection from slip, trip and fall hazards...
NSC: OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations
On Oct. 5, OSHA revealed the top 10 most cited violations in fiscal year 2010 during a special session at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo in San Diego, highlighting the agency’s enforcement efforts for fall protection, hazard communication, electrical safety and more...
ASSE Urges OSHA to Utilize Consensus Standards When Developing Slips and Falls Rule
In an Aug. 19 letter to OSHA on the proposed Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment rule (29 CFR, Part 1910), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) urged the agency to utilize existing fall standards and the voluntary consensus standards as it develops the new rule...
OSHA Cites SeaWorld $75,000 Following Animal Trainer’s Death
OSHA has cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC a total of $75,000 for three safety violations following the Feb. 24 death of an animal trainer. SeaWorld, however, argued that OSHA’s allegations are unfounded and intends to contest the citations...
OSHA Cites Moscow, Pa., Roofing Contractor for Endangering Workers
OSHA has cited Eastern Roofing Systems Inc. of Moscow for fall hazards at a residential roof repairing operation in Scranton, Pa, with roposed penalties totaling $53,200...
OSHA Puts Grain Handling Operators on Notice; Fines Wisconsin Grain Cooperative $721,000
On Aug. 4, OSHA Administrator David Michaels announced that the agency will send letters to approximately 3,300 employers involved in grain handling and storage to warn them not to allow workers to enter grain storage facilities without proper equipment, precautions and training. This move comes on the heels of the agency issuing $721,000 in fines against a Wisconsin grain cooperative after a worker was engulfed in frozen soybeans...
OSHA Says Safety Program at St. Louis Company Needs a Nip and Tuck
OSHA has cited Clint Horn, doing business as Sturgis Tuckpointing, in St. Louis with alleged safety violations for repeatedly exposing workers to fall hazards while working on scaffolding structures. Proposed penalties total $221,600...
Is Online Fall Protection Training Effective?
When it comes to a topic like fall protection, can an online training program be effective for your employees...
OSHA cites N.J. Contractor for Continued Employee exposure to Fall Hazards
OSHA has cited Acies Group LLC for three repeat violations and one serious violation related to fall hazards at a construction worksite in Lebanon, N.J. Proposed penalties total $47,000...
