Crane Safety is Focus of OSHA Emphasis Program in the Northwest

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SEATTLE, Wash. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is launching a program aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities associated with the operation of cranes in construction, general industry and maritime operations for employers under federal OSHA jurisdiction in Idaho, Alaska, Washington and Oregon. “We know that most of these injuries and fatalities are preventable with adequate training and proper attention to safety controls,” said Dean Ikeda, regional administrator for OSHA’s Region X, which is based in Seattle. “Our goal is to highlight the safety concerns and help employers and employees take steps to reduce … Read more

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Brasfield & Gorrie Earns Triangle Safety First Year Gold Award

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Raleigh, N.C. — Brasfield & Gorrie's Raleigh, N.C. office recently earned its first ever Gold Award from the North Carolina Department of Labor. Brian Swinks, senior safety manager, accepted the award on behalf of Raleigh's 128 office and field employees. “I take no greater joy than helping this region grow and improve their safety performance, and I think this debut award for us is great testimony to our level of commitment,” said Swinks. Triangle Safety Gold Awards are given to local companies who achieve a DART rate that is at least 50 percent below the statewide rate for its industry. … Read more

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Construction Unemployment Drops to Lowest May Mark in Five Years

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Construction employment increased by 7,000 in May, helping to push the industry's unemployment rate down to the lowest May level in five years, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the relatively positive jobs report for the sector underscores the need to address potential shortages of skilled workers. “Although the monthly job gain in May was modest, both residential and nonresidential construction have been adding workers at roughly double the rate of the overall economy in the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “At the same … Read more

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NCCER Sponsors 2013 SkillsUSA Carpentry and Masonry Competitions

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ALACHUA, Fla. — For the fourth consecutive year, NCCER is sponsoring the SkillsUSA Carpentry Competition at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo. on June 24—28. For the first time this year, NCCER will also sponsor the SkillsUSA Masonry Competition. These competitions showcase the construction industry and demonstrate the rewarding career paths and opportunities available in today’s high school and technical college programs. The contests are planned by technical committees made up of industry representatives and are designed to test the skills needed for successful entry level performance in given occupational fields. Due to their tremendous … Read more

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Prevention through Design Tools Can Reduce Injuries on Sustainable Building Construction Sites

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CHICAGO, Ill. — With sustainable building becoming a trend in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, a growing number of jobsite hazards associated with their design elements have been identified, according to Sustainable Buildings — Applying Prevention Through Design, a peer-reviewed feature in the June issue of the American Society of Safety Engineers’ journal, Professional Safety. The most recognized sustainable building initiative is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a certification that evaluates the potential environmental performance of a building over its life cycle. However, research has found that LEED-certified projects incur higher OSHA-recordable injury … Read more

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