OSHA backs off steel erection standard date
OSHA recently announced it has delayed the effective date of the new steel erection standard from July 18, 2001 to January 18, 2002.

The new date gives industry added time to adapt to the new requirements and to develop and implement training.

The extension also allows employers time to make required changes without costly refabrication of already-built components.

The rules will not apply to jobs where the building permit was obtained before the final rule was published (January 18, 2001) or to components used in projects that began before September 16, 2001.

The new standard addresses hazards associated with working under loads, hoisting, landing and placing decking; column stability, double connections, landing and placing steel joints and falls to lower levels.

How loud is loud? Put it in perspective . . .
Hearing loss from exposure to loud noises in construction is a real threat. The National Instiute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) assembled a list of estimated decibel (dB) ratings for various noises. Keep in mind that any noise exposure over 85 dB may cause hearing loss.

Survey: Employers don't
enforce road worker PPE use
The main reason road construction workers do not wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed is because their employers do not require or enforce its use.

That’s the finding of the International Safety Equipment Association’s (ISEA) latest research project. It polled road construction leaders on the use of safety vests, hardhats, fall protection, safety shoes/boots, earplugs/muffs, safety glasses/goggles, respiratory protection, coveralls and face shields.

Except for earplugs/muffs and coveralls, the leaders cited “employers don’t require/enforce usage” as the No. 1 barrier.

High-vis apparel and hardhats are worn about 75 percent of the time, the leading types of PPE used. Earplugs/muffs and safety glasses/goggles are worn only about half the time they are needed and respiratory protection, coveralls and face shields are used only about a third of the time they are needed.

The ISEA says this survey is a wake-up call to contractors to educate and train workers in the importance of PPE and then follow up to assure it is used.

Get your copy of the 
“Safety Requirements for Scaffolding”
The National Safety Council now offers ASNI A10.8 “Safety Requirements for Scaffolding” for sale. The standard was approved early in 2001 and outlines safe temporary scaffold requirements for the construction, maintenance and use of scaffolds in the construction, alteration, demolition and maintenance of buildings and structures. 

Go to www.nsc.org to order your copy or call the National Safety Council at 800-621-7619.

Published in the September/October 2001 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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