OSHA targets construction site fall hazards in the Southeast

Posted: September 2, 2012 Author: Kurt Niland Personal Injury

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a program in four Southern states aimed at exposing fall hazards at construction sites, the agency’s Atlanta offices announced. The program, which kicked off on August 20, comes in response to an upward trend in the number of falling deaths within the construction industry.

Construction work consistently ranks as one of the country’s deadliest occupations, according to Labor Department records, and falling hazards are mostly to blame. In fact, falls are one of the four leading causes of all workplace fatalities in the Southeastern U.S. In 2010, there were 264 fall-related fatalities on construction sites, all but nine of which involved falling to a lower level.

In an effort to reduce the number of fatal falls, OSHA started identifying construction worksites in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi that may be exposing workers to fall hazards. OSHA authorities then visit those sites unannounced to conduct inspections aimed at identifying falling hazards and any other safety risks they encounter “in plain sight.”

“OSHA’s goal is to raise awareness about fall hazards and eliminate those conditions that lead to employee deaths,” said Cindy Coe, OSHA’s regional administrator in Atlanta. “Our compliance officers will conduct immediate inspections when they observe employees working from elevation without fall protection.”

A number of special emphasis programs allow OSHA to open inspections immediately when safety and health hazards are apparent at a worksite. The program aimed at identifying fall hazards in construction is one such program in the Southeast where the risks are higher than normal. In addition to uncovering these safety risks, OSHA’s program also includes outreach, education, and training for employers and employees.

Source:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Tagged: Alabama , Atlanta , authorities , Department of Labor , employee , employer , fall , falling , Florida , Georgia , hazards , inspection , inspectors , investigation , investigator , labor department , Mississippi , Occupational Safety and Health Administration , on-the-job , on-the-job deaths , on-the-job fatalities , on-the-job injuries , OSHA , risks , worker , worker safety , workers , Workplace deaths , workplace fatalities , workplace injuries , workplace safety

FreeConsultation

Beasley Allen is one of the country’s leading firms involved in civil litigation on behalf of claimants, having represented hundreds of thousands of people.

If you are interested in a free legal consultation with a Beasley Allen attorney, please take a few moments to fill out the contact form with as many details as possible.

I want a free consultation

Hernia patch and other mesh implants pose problems

Class action lawsuit filed against heparin manufacturer Baxter

Reclast associated with risk of acute renal failure

RecentComments

BeasleyAllen

Thank you, John, for sharing t...on Mayflower, Arkansas, residents falling ill after ExxonMobil oil spill

BeasleyAllen

Thank you so much for sharing ...on Mayflower, Arkansas, residents falling ill after ExxonMobil oil spill

Lisa Stewart

We can look at facts and debat...on Mayflower, Arkansas, residents falling ill after ExxonMobil oil spill