flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

OSHA proposes safety standards changes to reduce employer costs

Codes and Standards

OSHA proposes safety standards changes to reduce employer costs

The changes include clarification on excavation standard and reporting job-related hearing loss.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | November 3, 2016

Pixabay Public Domain

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing 18 changes to the agency’s recordkeeping, general industry, maritime and construction standards. 

The proposed revisions could save employers an estimated $3.2 million per year, the agency says. The changes would include:

• Recognition of electronic posting of 911 emergency services contact information

• Promotion of uniformity in rules for traffic signs, flaggers, and barricades at construction sites

• Removal of the requirement for collection of Social Security numbers 

• Clarification of employers’ duties in the excavation standard

• Exemption single family dwellings from the load limit notification requirement

In other areas, the proposals attempt to establish more consistency between OSHA rules and general industry practices or government rules in related areas. “The changes we propose will modernize OSHA standards, help employers better understand their responsibilities, increase compliance and reduce compliance costs,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Sep 16, 2016

Calm weather tidal flooding impacting several communities on East and Gulf Coasts

Local officials face the prospect of costly mitigation projects.

Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2016

OSHA appoints new director for its construction directorate

The forty-year industry veteran has been a GC and business owner.

Energy | Sep 13, 2016

Oberlin College to hold conference on post-fossil fuel economy

The gathering will address climate change and new sources of energy.

Industry Research | Sep 12, 2016

Evidence linking classroom design to improved learning mounts

A study finds the impact can be as much as 25% per year.

Legislation | Sep 8, 2016

Half of U.S. states now allow design-build on public projects

Missouri is the latest to enact design-build legislation.

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.’

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021