The Associated General Contractors of America is conducting a new study to make job sites safer and search for ways to lower the number of injuries and deaths in the construction industry.
The study will attempt to identify reasons for the 806 fatalities reported nationwide in 2012. The objective is to find common threads in these incidents that can lead to better safety standards.
The study comes on the heels of the release of new federal safety data showing that construction industry and fatalities rates have declined in several states. For example, Texas had a construction injury rate of 4.4 incidents per 100 workers in 2003, a statistic that decreased to 2.3 incidents per 100 workers in 2012. Fatality rates in Texas have also declined — going from 13.1 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2008, to 12.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2012.
AGC intends to share the study's results with its members, the Occupational Health & Safety Administration, and others.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2016
Vapor intrusion risk addressed in new ASTM guide update
The updates address industry confusion over how to handle the issue.
BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2016
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management
The costs and benefits of managing 29 types of waste are now included.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’
Sustainability | Aug 30, 2016
New federal project plans must include climate impacts
Agencies must quantify the specific impacts when possible.
Green | Aug 29, 2016
Vancouver, B.C., to require zero emissions on new buildings by 2030
No net GHG emissions will be allowed.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2016
Freddie Mac extends efforts to fund multifamily energy/water efficiency projects
The Multifamily Green Advantage targets existing buildings.
Codes | Aug 24, 2016
Weak building codes no match for recent natural disasters, say industry experts
The recent floods and wildfires in Alberta are being cited as proof.
Legislation | Aug 24, 2016
World Trade Center contractor found guilty of minority-owned business fraud
The company used two minority firms as fronts in a nearly $1 billion scheme.