OSHA has scheduled a third informal stakeholder meeting to solicit comments on the crane operator certification requirements in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard. The third meeting will be held from 1:30–4:30 p.m. on April 3, 2013.
The two meetings currently scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on April 2 and 3 are full. The three meetings will focus on the effectiveness of crane operator certification to ensure that crane operators can safely operate equipment, and the level of competence and safe operation that certification ensures. The agency seeks information from the public on 1) the usefulness of certifying operators for different capacities of cranes, and 2) the risks of allowing an operator to operate all capacities of cranes within a specific type.
The operator qualification requirements are part of the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard that governs crane safety. The standard is the product of a negotiated rulemaking process that began in the summer of 2003 and culminated in the publication of the final rule on August 9, 2010. The standard requires operators to be certified by November 2014. Secondly, the standard requires that certifications issued by an accredited testing organization specify the “capacity and type” of cranes the operator is certified to operate.
All meetings will be held at the US Department of Labor, Room N-3437 A, B, and C. The Department of Labor is located at 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210.
Individuals interested in participating in, or observing, a meeting must pre-register by calling OSHA's Directorate of Construction at 202-693-2020. The agency will post this updated press release and any additional information about the meetings on its Web site. Due to limited space, only one individual per organization may participate in a meeting. OSHA will permit two observers from each organization, but only one observer if that organization also has a participant in a meeting. Organizations may only participate in one meeting. OSHA's goal is to accommodate as wide an audience as possible of informed technical experts on crane safety and operator certification. To facilitate as much group interaction as possible, formal presentations will not be permitted.
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AIHA® Releases White Paper on Silica Competent Persons
The document was prepared by the AIHA Construction Committee Silica Competent Person Project Team.
OSHA’s Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) has recommended that OSHA utilize a competent person approach for the upcoming proposed silica in construction rule. In addition, the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Construction goals for silica identified competent person training needs as an area for partnering and development. A silica competent person is capable of recognizing and evaluating situations where overexposure may be occurring; knows how to evaluate the exposure potential; and can make recommendations for exposure control. This document provides a list of recommended subject-specific skills and competency objectives a silica competent person should have to enable them to perform the job successfully.
OSHA Renews Alliance with Steel Erectors Association and Iron Workers
OSHA recently renewed an alliance with the Steel Erectors Association of Metropolitan Philadelphia and Vicinity, Inc., and the Iron Workers Local Union No. 401. OSHA and its alliance partners will continue to promote workplace safety and health, provide guidance and training resources for steel erection workers, and enhance awareness of OSHA's national fall prevention campaign.
“This alliance renewal reaffirms our commitment to ensure that steel erection industry workers across the greater Philadelphia area have a safe and healthy workplace,” said Domenick Salvatore, director of OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office, who represented the agency at the recent signing ceremony at 401 Union Hall in Philadelphia. “We will continue identifying methods to prevent and reduce hazards associated with the steel industry, particularly fall and struck-by hazards.”
Since its inception in November 2008, the alliance has provided safety and health cross-training sessions to more than 1,300 steel erection workers and safety and health professionals in the Philadelphia area. For more information about this alliance, call OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office at 215-597-4955.
The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.
OSHA Fines Eagle Recycling $70,070 for Safety Violations Following Worker Amputation
OSHA has cited Lieze Associates, doing business as Eagle Recycling of New Jersey, with one repeat and three serious safety violations after a worker's fingers were amputated in December 2012 at the company's North Bergen recycling transfer station. OSHA's investigation was initiated in response to a referral by the North Bergen Police Department and has resulted in proposed fines of $70,070.
“This incident should have been prevented by simply locking out the machine's power source,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. “Eagle Recycling of New Jersey's continued disregard for complying with OSHA safety standards will not be tolerated.”
OSHA inspectors found that procedures were not used to lock out the energy source of a conveyor belt system while the worker was clearing a cardboard jam, which resulted in the amputation. OSHA cited the company with a serious violation for failing to implement a lockout/tagout program to control potentially hazardous energy. Another violation includes failing to ensure a ladder placed with the two top rails was supported and placed with secure footing. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The repeat violation was cited for exposing workers to 8-foot fall hazards while working on unguarded platforms. A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcements states within the last five years. A similar violation was cited in 2009 and 2010.
Connecticut Auto Body Shop Fined After Inspection Finds Repeat and Workplace Hazards
Hoffman Auto Body Shop has been cited by OSHA for nine alleged violations of workplace safety standards at its Connecticut Avenue facility in East Hartford. The auto body repair shop faces proposed fines of $54,300. OSHA's Hartford Area Office began their inspection on December 6, 2012, to verify correction of hazards cited during a 2011 inspection.
In the 2012 inspection, OSHA identified hazards similar to those cited during the 2011 inspection. Specifically, equipment and materials, some of it flammable, were stored near paint spray booths and electric panels. The stored materials limited access to extinguish potential fires, presented fire and shock hazards and impeded cleaning around the booths, which allows potentially combustible materials to accumulate.
These conditions resulted in the issuance of two repeat citations with $40,000 in proposed fines.
“The bulk of these fines stem from recurring hazards identified during this latest inspection,” said Warren Simpson, OSHA's area director in Hartford. “Workers at the facility remained exposed to potential hazards. This employer needs to take effective action to correct these safety issues and prevent their recurrence.”
Additional hazards found include inadequate storage, disposal and cleanup of flammable and combustible materials; unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals; and an improperly located electrical outlet. These three serious violations resulted in $14,300 in proposed fines.
OSHA Fines Roofing Contractor More than $57,000 After Worker Injured by Fall
OSHA has cited Ridgefield-based Conte Roofing Co., Inc., with two repeat and four serious violations, including fall hazards, at a work site in Moonachie. An investigation began in October 2012 after a referral from the Moonachie Police Department reported that a worker fell through an opening in the roof and suffered a broken neck. Proposed penalties total $57,300.
Four serious violations involve failing to provide fall protection and training for workers performing roof work; ensure an available fire extinguisher; and protect holes in the roof.
The repeat violations are due to a ladder not extended 3 feet above the landing surface and a lack of ladder training. The same violations were cited in 2011.
“This company failed to provide a safe and healthful workplace by not utilizing appropriate safety measures, including fall protection, which resulted in a worker's serious injury,” said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's area office in Hasbrouck Heights. OSHA will not tolerate companies that do not prioritize the safety and health of workers.”
The page offers fact sheets, posters, and videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures. OSHA standards require that an effective form of fall protection, such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, be in use when workers perform construction activities at 6 feet or more above the next lower level.
OSHA Fines CNH America $51,000 for Ten Safety Violations
OSHA has cited CNH America, LLC, with 10 safety violations at its Grand Island agricultural equipment manufacturing facility. Proposed penalties of $51,000 resulted from the November 2012 local emphasis program inspection for high-hazard general industry establishments, as identified by injury and illness rates in Nebraska.
“CNH America has a responsibility to make appropriate repairs and provide necessary personal protective equipment and training to ensure a safe working environment,” said Bonita Winingham, OSHA's area director in Omaha. “Companies must recognize the hazards that exist in their workplaces and take action to prevent injury. OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job.”
Ten serious violations were cited for failing to ensure compressed gas cylinders were properly stored and secured; remove a powered industrial truck from service after inspections revealed safety hazards; evaluate and certify evaluation of forklift truck driver performance at least every three years; ensure grinding wheels were flat and undamaged; and provide welding screens and replace damaged welding leads. Four of the violations involve electrical hazards, such as failing to label circuit-breaker boxes, provide covers over missing circuit breakers, repair a light switch that exposed workers to electrical shock hazards, and attach extension cords to the building surface.
CNH America is a wholly owned subsidiary of CNH Global N.V., headquartered in Burr Ridge, Illinois. The company has 30 manufacturing facilities worldwide producing agricultural and construction equipment. CNH America's Grand Island facility was previously inspected by OSHA in 2010 and 2011, resulting in six citations.
OSHA Cites Builders Stone and Supply for Exposing Workers to Multiple Serious Violations
OSHA has cited Builders Stone and Supply, doing business as J & S Plastering, with 11 serious and one repeat safety violation for exposing workers to scaffolding and other safety hazards at a company work site in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Proposed penalties total $69,300.
“The presence of multiple safety hazards at the work site exposed workers to serious injuries,” said Carlos Reynolds, area director of OSHA's Little Rock Area Office. “OSHA's standards must be followed to prevent accidents, illnesses, and injuries.”
OSHA's Little Rock Area Office began investigating the work site on South Beechwood Avenue on January 29, 2012, as part of the agency's regional emphasis program on construction, which is designed to prevent fatalities and injuries in the construction industry. Investigators determined that workers were applying stucco, at heights up to 26 feet, to the exterior surfaces of the newly constructed student housing complex building at the University of Arkansas, without adequate scaffolding protection.
The serious violations include failing to ensure scaffolds are fully planked, maintain and repair faulty decking, provide guardrails, replace cross bracings on scaffolds, and provide hazard recognition training.
The repeat violation is for failing to ensure a competent person inspected faulty scaffolding before it was in use by workers. A similar violation was cited in December 2010.
Ecorec Rio Grande Valley Fined for Exposing Workers to Amputation Hazards
OSHA has cited Ecorec Rio Grande Valley, Inc., with 17 serious violations for exposing workers to amputation hazards and other safety violations at its facility in Edinburg. Proposed penalties total $74,900.
“This company has jeopardized the safety of its workers by failing to provide a safe and healthful working environment,” said Michael J. Rivera, the agency's area director in Corpus Christi. “OSHA's standards must be followed to prevent accidents and injuries.”
OSHA's Corpus Christi Area Office began an investigation on October 16, 2012, at the company's Monte Cristo Road work site following a complaint that workers were engaged in recycling scrap, including automotive bodies, tires and appliances, without adequate protection from energy, falls, electrical, and chemical hazards.
Serious violations include failing to provide machine guarding to prevent amputations while working with a baling machine, which had inoperable emergency stop buttons; provide control of hazardous energy to prevent being crushed when working inside a baling machine; provide fire protection in the event combustibles should spark; and ensure electrical circuits have a path-to-ground.
Rail Transit Manufacturer Fined Nearly $61,000 for Health and Safety Hazards
OSHA has cited UTCRAS, Inc., with 23 serious and four other-than-serious health and safety violations found at the company's Morton facility. The September 2012 inspection was initiated as part of OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting 2012 program, which directs enforcement resources to workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur. An evaluation of hazards was also conducted under OSHA's National Emphasis Programs for Hexavalent Chromium and Amputations.
The serious violations, carrying a $60,900 penalty, were cited for electrical hazards and for failing to provide machine guarding, a lockout/tagout program for the energy sources of equipment and an effective respiratory program with eyewash and shower facilities for handling corrosives. The company also failed to comply with OSHA's standard for chromium VI, repair floor holes, properly store and handle compressed gas and flammable liquids, and ensure access to a fire extinguisher.
“These violations could cause serious harm to workers and must be promptly corrected,” said Domenick Salvatore, director of OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office. “Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe and healthful workplace.”
The other-than-serious violations, which had no monetary penalty, involve an improper flammable storage container and failing to conduct a proper hazard assessment. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
UTCRAS, Inc., reconditions roller bearings for rail systems and assembles truck and wheel sets for passenger locomotives and freight rail work.
Laundry Facility Fined Nearly $165,000 for Safety and Health Violations
Inspectors were prompted by a complaint alleging the company would not allow workers to leave the building during an emergency. Proposed penalties total $164,700.
OSHA found electrical hazards and an obstructed and improperly marked exit route. Additional violations include: allowing employees to potentially be struck by traffic while transporting laundry bins from one building to another while crossing a public street; failing to provide a cover and guardrails for open pits; provide a handrail for the stairway; evaluate the workplace for permit-required confined spaces; post signs informing workers of confined spaces; and develop a written confined space permit program. Other violations include failing to establish an energy control program for performing maintenance/servicing work; train power industrial truck operators; take powered industrial trucks in need of repair out-of-service; insulate or cover steam pipes less than 7 feet from the floor; properly guard machines; implement a hearing conservation program for workers exposed to noise levels at 88 and 89 decibels; ensure safety goggle usage; provide an unblocked eyewash station; develop a written hazard communication program; and provide hazard communication training.
“The vast number and range of safety and health hazards observed by OSHA at this facility indicates the lack of a functioning safety and health management system,” said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's area office in Hasbrouck Heights. “Each employer is responsible for ensuring a safe and healthful work environment, which Brite Services did not do. This company has the opportunity now to educate itself, correct these hazards and protect its workers.”
OSHA Cites Gas Pipeline Contractor Henkels & McCoy Inc. for Repeat Trenching Hazards
OSHA has cited Henkels & McCoy, Inc., with one repeat violation for trenching hazards found at a Bayonne work site. The company's Pipeline Division is based in Norman, Oklahoma.
Workers in an 11-foot deep trench were working without the proper protection and exposed to struck-by and crushing injuries from a potential cave-in. The same violation was cited against the company in 2011.
“This company has a responsibility to ensure that workers are properly protected from known workplace hazards, such as trench cave-ins, a leading cause of death and injury in excavation work,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. “OSHA will continue to hold employers accountable when they fail to protect their workers.”
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