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[UPDATE] Cause of Death of 3 Construction Workers Who Died in Florida Manhole Determined

via CBS 4 Miami

In January of this year, tragedy struck a Florida construction company when 3 construction workers died while working underground below a newly paved road.  After the first worker entered the hole and collapsed after entering the confined space through a manhole, the second went in to rescue him and also collapsed, followed by the third. After a post-incident investigation, OSHA has released their findings, as well as several fines.

Atmospheric testing after the incident showed that there were high levels of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, which proved lethal. In 2015, OSHA released a new set of standards for entering confined spaces in the construction industry.  After a 60 day delay, those new rules became effective on October 2, 2015.

OSHA ended up citing the contractor with 10 serious violations, which totaled $119,507 in fines. All 10 citations can be viewed on the Department of Labor’s website, in full, by clicking here.

The 10 violations are as follows:

  1. Failure to develop and implement a written hazard communication program, which includes 29 CFR 1910.1200(f),(g), and (h).
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  2. Entrance to confined space was not protected by railing, temporary cover, or other barrier
    1. Fine: $5,432.00
  3. Employer did not test for toxic gasses prior to employees entering the entire space
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  4. Employer failed to “identify and evaluate the hazards of permit required confined spaces before employees enter them”
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  5. Employer did not remove the toxic gasses prior to employees entering the confined space
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  6. Testing and monitoring equipment was not provided and maintained
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  7. Employer failed to provide safety equipment for employees entering the confined space
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  8. Employer did not develop and implement a procedure to contact emergency services, as related to rescuing employees from a confined space
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  9. Failure to document the completion of items required by 29 CFR 1926.1204(c) by preparing a permit
    1. Fine: $12,675.00
  10. Employer did not provide training to each employee entering the confined space, as required by 29 CFR 1926.1207.
    1. Fine: $12,675.00

According to NIOSH, more than 60% of confined space deaths are would-be rescuers, meaning those who are trying to save a victim.  With that in mind, it’s extremely important to train your employees on safe practices of entering confined spaces.

In January of 2017, OSHA released a final rule which greatly reduced the allowable exposure to beryllium, a mineral that can cause deadly lung disease.  While not as commonly encountered in the construction industry as other substances that cause terrible lung diseases, like crystalline silica and asbestos, beryllium is linked to a disease called chronic beryllium disease, which kills around 100 people each year. It’s commonly found in coal slag, which is used for sandblasting.  According to the New York Times, OSHA estimates that 11,500 construction workers would be affected by OSHA’s reduced exposure limit.

[VIDEO] Roofer Amazingly Escapes Burning 6 Story Building By Hanging On to Crane Hook

As recently highlighted by several multi-story building fires, contractors should always be prepared in the event a fire starts on a job site.  There have been dozens multi-story building fires in the past few years and many were started when the building was topped out.  In most cases, the project was completely destroyed, leaving developers and owners to deal with years of delays from insurance claims.  A massive five-alarm fire at an Oakland construction site is one of the more recent examples.

In a year that OSHA can’t seem to enforce any new rules, it appears to have found a way to remove a rule from its books. As announced last week, OSHA has removed monorail hoists from Subpart CC – Cranes and Derricks in Construction.  Employers are still required to follow other OSHA regulations regarding the hoists, but this rule should help clear up some inconsistencies.

For many construction superintendents and project managers across the world, tablets are becoming one of the most important tools on the job site.  They’re great for looking at plans, taking pictures, making notes, and running your favorite construction apps. Carrying a tablet does take up at least one of your hands, however, so it can be a hindrance if you need to help a co-worker lift material or climb a ladder.

High demand battery packs have allowed many construction workers ditch the cords on jobsites throughout the country, by providing more power and longer runtime. As with any battery packs, it’s important to follow safety warnings, but with a higher capacity can sometimes mean greater consequences when those warnings are not followed.

Just before 11 am on Monday morning, 6/26, firefighters were called to an under-construction residential building in Queens, New York after concrete scaffolding and formwork collapsed during a pour.

Two construction workers in Sarasota, Florida were recently trapped 15 stories in the air after one of the lines on their suspended scaffolding snapped.   One of the two men was able to be pulled to safety by some co-workers on site, but the second was stuck on the scaffold for an hour before the fire department could rescue him.