OSHA Extends Temporary Enforcement Measures for Residential Construction Into 2013

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will extend for three months its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction. The temporary enforcement measures, now extended through March 15, 2013, include priority free on-site compliance assistance, penalty reductions, extended abatement dates, measures to ensure consistency and increased outreach.

OSHA Fall Prevention Fact Sheet

OSHA has been working closely with the industry to assist employers in complying with the new directive. From October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012, OSHA's On-site Consultation Projects performed more than 3,000 on-site visits, conducted close to 1,100 training sessions and delivered close to 500 presentations related to fall protection in residential construction. OSHA’s regional and area offices also conducted more than 1,200 outreach activities on the directive. The agency will continue to work with employers to ensure a clear understanding of, and to facilitate compliance with, the new policy.

OSHA will also continue to develop materials to assist the industry, including a wide variety of educational and training materials to assist employers with compliance for residential construction and theFall Prevention Campaign.

OSHA and NSC renew alliance to address fall prevention The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed its alliance with the National Safety Council (NSC) to continue enhancing worker safety and health by addressing construction hazards, injury and illness prevention programs and motor vehicle safety. “Our continued alliance with NSC will focus on, among other things, preventing worker injuries and fatalities from falls in construction,” said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “Falls cause more fatalities than any other hazard in the construction industry. We look forward to collaborating with the NSC to educate and train employers and workers on preventing job hazards.” During the two-year agreement, the alliance will develop fact sheets on the benefits of employers establishing an injury and illness prevention program, hazard identification and control topics that should be included in worker training, fall prevention and best practices for reporting near misses. The alliance also will develop a case study on preventing falls from heights in construction, focusing on the causes of fall protection failures and how employers can assure an effective and reliable fall prevention program. NSC is a nonprofit, public service organization, founded in 1913, that offers training, educational programs and materials, consulting and advocacy on various safety and health topics. The organization represents 14,000 employers and more than six million workers employed by NSC members. Through its alliance program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits. For more information, visitosha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit osha.gov.

Safety Training

I found this new web site http://stopconstructionfalls.com that may be of interest to you.  This new  fall prevention campaign will focus on prevention and training relating to falls from roof, ladders and scaffolding on construction jobsites.  It has many training tools and resources for you to use.  Please check it out.

Reech Craft PowerPole

Bird Ladder & Equipment Co. is proud to announce that we are now a stocking dealer of PowerPole.  Whether you install siding, roofing, windows, or all three, the PowerPole will be your competitive advantage by providing the performance to get the job done faster and safer. Start with the Standard System and add on more speed, safety, and versatility with our innovative line of attachments.  Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, no piece of equipment can match the power, speed, safety, and versatility of the PowerPole. Just imagine cruising up or down 50’ with a 1000 lb load!  Using Powerpole they will guarantee you will  be more productive, reduce labor costs and increase your profit on every job.  Take a look at their video library that shows all the reasons you should be using using this equipment.  Powerpoles are even recommended in the James Hardie labor efficiency manual.  It has also been featured on DIY network cool tools. We hope to be renting these in the near future.  Please give us call 1-800-776-3595 if you have any questions.

OSHA Safety eTool Web Site

We have recently added links to the OSHA eTool web site. eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. Some also use expert system modules, which enable the user to answer questions, and receive reliable advice on how OSHA regulations apply to their work site. We feel that these modules will help contractors with training issues required by OSHA. Take a look at them. They are very well done.