OSHA releases new steel
erection compliance directive
Want to get a better understanding of the new steel erection standard? OSHA recently released its steel erection compliance directive, which outlines the practical aspects of the new rule. This is the same document OSHA inspectors use to understand how the new requirements affect jobsites.

Some highlights: Connectors do not have to be tied off when moving point to point below 30'; shear connectors may be shop-installed, as long as workers in the field are 100 percent fall-protected around those items; and “hitting” an anchor bolt  is not considered a modification, but “unbending” is a modification.

You can access the directive by going to www.osha.gov, then mouse-clicking through the following sequence: Outreach>Construction>
Compliance Information>Steel Erection Compliance Directive. At press time, it was available as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) document.

Job-related injuries and illnesses drop in 2000
In 2000, on-the-job injury and illness rates of U.S. workers declined to a historic low of 6.1 cases per 100 workers. Injury and illness rates in more dangerous occupations such as construction and manufacturing also continued to decline, the U.S. Department of Labor reports.

Although about the same number of workers were affected by on-the-job injuries and illnesses in 2000 as in 1999, the number of hours worked rose, resulting in a rate decline.

How old are your gas cylinders?
Operation Safe Site recently issued a compressed gas safety alert, based on a report of a person losing both legs when a cylinder exploded during refilling.

The ongoing investigation reveals the cylinder was manufactured in 1919.

The National Fire Protection Association requires LP tanks be retired after 12 years, but there is no such requirement for compressed gas cylinders. Operation Safe Site recommends requesting that cylinders over 30 years old be replaced.

Published in the May/June 2002 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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