The Cal/OSH Standards Board has published a comprehensive set of rules to enhance safety on construction operations involving post-tensioning of concrete. Current rules are woefully inadequate, proponents of the change say, and the lack of specific language has a “direct correlation” to on-the-job injuries. The proposal is in its comment period. A public hearing is …
Rising California employment in 2015 led to a slight increase in workplace injuries and illnesses. The injury and illness rate for the state remained unchanged, according to data from the Department of Industrial Relations. According to the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2015 saw an estimated 470,600 recordable cases in the state, a …
The Associated General Contractors of California has named its safety award winners for the year. AGC feted individuals and companies for safety excellence at its recent annual meeting. Here’s the rundown: Cole Davis, corporate safety director for NOVA Group, Inc., won Harry Eckstein Safety Professional of the Year. The Eckstein award, named for the late …
The Cal/OSH Standards Board is proposing to revise its standard on industrial truck safety. The issue is an exception to the rules on when an operator can leave a running forklift to load or unload it. The proposal is in a comment period that ends December 15 with a public hearing in Sacramento. The current …
OAKLAND – The Cal/OSH Standards Board has denied a petition from Daniel Gallet of Corona to amend the Construction Safety Orders to ensure that plywood used in excavation shoring does not deteriorate when being placed. The board’s reasoning? Title 8 already covers the hazards Gallet describes. Gallet petitioned the board for changes to CSO §1541.1(d)(1) …
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health announces it is resuming the Health Effects Advisory Committee, which examines chemicals for possible regulation or revised permissible exposure limits. The committee meets December 6 in Oakland. HEAC last met about five years ago, mostly due to personnel shortages. The Division recently hired a staff toxicologist, Garrett Keating, …
The Cal/OSH Standards Board has approved what proponents say is a groundbreaking standard designed to protect healthcare workers from violence on the job. Dozens of nurses and other professionals packed the October board meeting and cheered when the board cast its vote. There were more than a few tears shed, as well. But there …
Cal/OSHA is investigating four more workplace fatalities, including another fall, a vehicle encounter, and two crushing accidents. All the incidents were from October 18-21. The fatal fall was at a Los Angeles construction site. An employee of D&D Construction fell down a 50-foot well, and emergency responders were summoned to rescue him. The employee was …