OSHA - Mon June 29, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance to Ensure Uniform Enforcement of Silica Standards
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when addressing respirable crystalline silica exposures in general industry, maritime, and construction....
ARTBA - Mon June 15, 2020
Federal Court's Slap-Down of Proposed Workplace Mandate Helps Industry Protect Workers, ARTBA Says
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is entitled to "considerable deference" in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a June 11 federal appeals court decision. The ruling assures that the transportation construction industry is free to use proven workplace best practices to protect its workers, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)....
James Headley – SPECIAL TO CEG - Mon June 08, 2020
Keeping OSHA at Bay — How to Properly Evaluate Your Operators
This is the third article covering OSHA's three steps to operator qualification. The first, "OSHA Takes Training to a Higher Level," (Crane Hot Line, June 2019, page 12) covers OSHA's expansion of operator training....
Lucy Perry – CEG CORRESPONDENT - Mon June 08, 2020
Hydraulic Fluid Leaks, Poor Ground Conditions Contribute to Crane Outrigger Failure
The two biggest factors that contribute to crane failures are fluid leakage in the outrigger hydraulic cylinder and ground conditions, or the supporting structure for the outrigger pads. Ensuring that your crane is operating on firm, level and drained ground per OSHA's Cranes & Derricks in Construction rule, starts with a proper inspection of the crane and the job site....
ARTBA - Tue June 02, 2020
Reject Effort to Force Universal COVID-19 Safety Standard on OSHA, ARTBA Tells Federal Court
Requiring the federal government to impose a single, emergency standard for coping with COVID-19 is misguided because workers are better protected from the virus by construction industry best practices rather than a rigid "one-size-fits-all" regulation....
James Headley – SPECIAL TO CEG - Tue April 28, 2020
Misunderstanding Crane Operator Certification
Crane operator certification is the second of OSHA'S three steps to operator qualification. By now, most people who use cranes are aware that crane operator certification is firmly established as federal law....
OSHA - Tue April 21, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor to Hold Meeting to Solicit Public Input on OSHA Whistleblower Program
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold a teleconference meeting May 12, 2020, in Washington, D.C., to solicit public comments and suggestions on key issues facing OSHA's whistleblower protection program....
OSHA - Mon April 20, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor Considers Employer's Good Faith Efforts When Enforcing Compliance During Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim guidance to advise compliance safety and health officers to evaluate an employer's good faith efforts to comply with safety and health standards during the coronavirus pandemic....
U.S. Department of Labor - Tue April 14, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor Announces OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan to Protect Workers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic on April 14. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA area offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals and severe illness reports....
Lucy Perry – CEG CORRESPONDENT - Thu April 09, 2020
In the Trenches: How to Avoid a Costly, Deadly Accident
Did you know that in 2019, excavation and trenching violations were some of the most-expensive OSHA citations? Among the most dangerous construction-related activities, trenching accidents represented the tenth highest penalty issued by the federal agency last year....
