Study Finds Upward Trend in Elevator-Related Construction Fatalities

Workers are at risk of serious injury or death when installing, repairing and maintaining escalators and elevators, as well as when cleaning elevator shafts, conducting emergency evacuations of stalled elevators or performing construction work near open shafts. A recent study by CPWR’s Data Center found that while fatalities fluctuate year-to-year, the general trend in elevator-related deaths has been upward. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of deaths doubled from 14 in 2003 to 28 in 2016, with a peak of 37 deaths in 2015. Between 2011 and 2016, 145 construction workers died due to elevator-related … Read more

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The Importance of Proper Fall Protection Training for Workers at Height

By Baxter Byrd, Pure Safety Group As the march of technology pushes fall protection products into the future, the most useful tool for the worker-at-height remains the one between their ears. Keeping that tool keen and sharp with a properly managed training program is the most effective way to ensure that what goes up, comes down safely. 2017 was an important year regarding worker-at-height training. OSHA released its long-awaited update to the 1910 Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems), which became effective on Jan. 17, 2017. If there was any doubt before this release as to the … Read more

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Bosch Wet/Dry Dust Extractor Offers Professional Functionality, Performance

The Bosch GAS20-17AH Wet/Dry Dust Extractor is an industrial-grade powerhouse with a maximum 300 cfm capacity that filters fine dust, coarse dirt and liquids. The GAS20-17AH boasts 17 gallon capacity, and auto filter cleaning with HEPA filter to provide a complete package in helping users move toward OSHA silica dust regulation compliance. Its auto filter-clean system activates every 15 seconds and the HEPA filter captures 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 microns and larger. The dust extractor features a high-performance 17.5 amp motor for heavy-duty applications, including concrete cutting and surface grinding with larger 7-inch and 9-inch grinders and up … Read more

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OSHA, Turner Construction Partner to Promote Workplace Safety during Hospital Project

ERIE, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Turner Construction Company have established a strategic partnership to promote workplace safety for a building project at UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. The partnership seeks to educate workers, control or eliminate serious hazards and establish effective safety and health programs for the project. The project – scheduled for completion in 2020 – includes a 200,000-square-foot, seven-floor patient care building. Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA works with employers, employees, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies … Read more

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Brasfield & Gorrie Earns Safety Certification for Arizona Project

TUCSON, Ariz. – Brasfield & Gorrie recently attained Voluntary Protection Program Star certification at a Tucson, Arizona site where the general contractor is expanding Raytheon Missile Systems’ corporate headquarters. VPP is an Occupational Safety & Health Administration cooperative program. The certification process requires an application that details risks associated with the project, an explanation of safety and health training, assurance that the applicant will correct hazards and more. VPP offers three programs, of which Star is the highest. RMS is VPP Star certified, and the company sponsored Brasfield & Gorrie in the application. During the eight-month process, VPP authorities visited … Read more

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