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
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2021
Latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices criticized for not considering bikes, pedestrians
More than a dozen advocacy groups want feds to start over.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2021
LEED-certified federal buildings don’t use less energy than average
May be due to trade-offs on how score is developed.
Codes and Standards | May 12, 2021
White paper examines how to reduce pathogen transmission in ventilation
Pressure barriers and airflow distribution can be effective in existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Pressure builds on White House to rein in cost of lumber
Spike in prices has added nearly $36,000 to price of average new home.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Residential codes should be upgraded to protect from cooking pollutants
Report examines ventilation standards, calls for increased public awareness of issue.
Codes and Standards | May 6, 2021
Blue roofs can provide relief to overwhelmed stormwater systems
Benefits most evident in industrial commercial areas.
Codes and Standards | May 5, 2021
Majority of schools took steps to improve air quality during pandemic
Districts still have unmet needs, face high costs and outdated building infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | May 4, 2021
Cost to keep Miami dry over next few decades is $4 billion
Rising seas demand big investment.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2021
Fire stops critical to preserving three-decker housing
Old multi-family structures continue to provide badly needed homes in urban zones.
Codes and Standards | Apr 29, 2021
Dept. of Energy publishes energy savings analysis for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019
More than 4% savings for commercial buildings found for the updated code.