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[UPDATE] OSHA Proposes Delay for Electronic Injury Reporting Rule

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Since the beginning of the year, OSHA has had a pretty hard time enforcing any of its new rules due to delays.  The silica dust exposure rule was delayed 90 to September 23,  the crane certification rule is facing yet another possible delay, and now the electronic injury reporting rule is facing another delay.  Last week, OSHA announced their proposal to delay the enforcement of the reporting rule from July 1, 2017 to December 1, 2017.

Originally proposed on May 12, 2016, the electronic injury reporting rule immediately sparked controversy among construction industry groups. Several changes and clarifications to the rule can be directly attributed to the push from the industry groups, including the Associated General Contractors of America.

In May of this year, we reported that OSHA’s recordkeeping website added this note: “OSHA is not accepting electronic submissions of injury and illness logs at this time, and intends to propose extending the July 1, 2017 date by which certain employers are required to submit the information from their completed 2016 Form 300A electronically.” At that time, it was unknown how long the delay in the enforcement would be.

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.

According to OSHA, more than 40 percent of all heat-related worker deaths occur in the construction industry.  Many more workers also become ill from extreme heat and humidity.  With summer now in full effect, it’s time to re-evaluate your personal steps for keeping safe in the heat and how your company is going to help their employees stay safe.

A Real Life Saver: The OVAL Fire Extinguisher

Every now and then a new product comes along and you ask yourself, “why didn’t I think of that?!”  The OVAL Fire Extinguisher is just that product.  Architecture and interior design have been moving towards cleaner lines in their spaces.  Foregone are the days of bulky protruding water fountains (bubblers for my northern friends) and fire extinguisher cabinets.   Interior designers are looking for cleaner and sleeker interior spaces but the 10lb fire extinguishers and cabinets have not changed for quite some time.   OVAL is about to change all that. 

On Tuesday, June 20, OSHA is set to propose a delay on new requirements for cranes and derricks in the construction industry at a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH).

A nearby office worker caught video of a dramatic demolition that showed the remains of an 11 story building collapse on top of the excavator performing the demolition. 

Beards are a rite of passage for many men across the world.  For some, it’s a symbol of their manliness, for others, it’s rooted in religious beliefs.  One contractor in the UK, however, is concerned with the safety risk the facial hair causes.