OSHA's National Safety Stand-Down during the week of May 2nd prompted a focus on construction safety in the business press and other media outlets, and by the industry as a whole.
One notable development came from Gilbane Building Co. which has encouraged OSHA to mandate the use of safety harnesses for any construction worker operating above 6 feet high. Gilbane has implemented this policy on its own, creating a stricter internal standard than what OSHA requires.
OSHA requires harnesses for steelworkers operating above 25 feet. Workers on scaffolds above 10 feet must connect to a harness, but are only required to use one attachment. Gilbane’s says its more stringent policy has prevented at least 20 potentially fatal falls over the past five years.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that private construction fatalities increased 9% to 899 in 2014, the highest number since 2008. The increase came with a sharp rise in construction activity.
Related Stories
Concrete | Jun 13, 2016
American Concrete Institute releases new Guide to Shotcrete
Includes information on application procedures, testing.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 10, 2016
Top 10 health technology hazards include some influenced by space design
ECRI Institute’s annual list includes operational and workflow issues.
Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2016
Supreme Court ruling could aid developers on properties containing wetlands
Unanimous decision allows landowners to take regulatory decisions straight to court.
Green | Jun 8, 2016
TD Bank Group's renovated Toronto office is first WELL-Certified project under WELL v1
The newly renovated 25,000-sf space achieved gold-level status.
Concrete | Jun 7, 2016
Concrete Institute publishes document providing concrete curing guidance
New curing monitoring techniques included.
Energy | Jun 7, 2016
Energy modeling payback typically as short as one to two months
Energy modeling is a ‘no-brainer—like checking MPG on a car’
Green | Jun 2, 2016
USGBC offers new LEED pilot credit: Building Material Human Hazard and Exposure Assessment
For assessing human health-related exposure scenarios for construction products.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2016
Better enforcement needed for successful implementation of energy efficiency policies
Commercial buildings the focus of recent code initiatives.