New Jersey Construction Company Cited After Wall Collapse Leads to Workplace Fatality and Injuries

Onekey, LLC, was cited for exposing employees to crushing hazards after a concrete retaining wall collapsed at a Poughkeepsie, N.J., worksite. The collapse led to the death of a subcontractor’s employee, and injured another employee. OSHA inspectors determined that the retaining wall was not designed or approved by a registered engineer. The company was cited for failing to train employees to keep a safe distance from the wall and soil pile, and failing to provide adequate fall protection. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $281,583. Read the news release for more information.

Compliance Date for Crane Operator Certification Requirements Set for November 10, 2018

OSHA issued a final rule that sets November 10, 2018, as the date employers in the construction industry must comply with a requirement for crane operator certification. The final rule became effective on November 9, 2017. After issuing the final cranes and derricks rule in August 2010, stakeholders expressed concerns regarding the rule’s certification requirements. In response, the agency published a separate final rule in September 2014, extending by three years the crane operator certification and competency requirements. The additional one-year extension provides more time for OSHA to complete a rulemaking to address stakeholder concerns related to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard. Read the news release for more information.

OSHA Issues Interim Enforcement Guidance

On Oct. 19, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Galassi issued a memorandum on Interim Enforcement Guidance for the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard. The memo provides interim enforcement guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) for enforcing the standard, stating: "Effective Oct. 23, 2017, OSHA will fully enforce all appropriate provisions of the Silica in Construction Standard. This memorandum will serve as interim enforcement guidance while the standard's companion compliance directive is proceeding through the review process. It will expire when the compliance directive becomes effective and available to the field." The Interim Enforcement Guidance memo follows the Sept. 20 memorandum, issued by Galassi, that announced a 30-day enforcement phase-in to offer compliance assistance to employers making good faith efforts to comply.

New Jersey Contractor Cited for Scaffold Hazards

OSHA has cited the owner of a South Jersey construction company for exposing workers to serious scaffold hazards at a job site in Philadelphia. Inspectors found employees performing work using a scaffold that was dangerously close to power lines. Vyacheslav Leshko, owner of DH Construction LLC, was cited for repeat and serious violations that include exposing workers to fall and electrical hazards, failing to train employees on scaffold hazards and not implementing an accident prevention program. The owner faces $191,215 in proposed penalties. Read the news release for more information.

OSHA Signs Partnerships to Protect Pennsylvania Construction Workers

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program provides opportunities for OSHA to partner with employers, workers, professional or trade associations, labor organizations, and other interested stakeholders. Strategic Partnerships are designed to eliminate serious hazards and enhance workplace safety and health practices in major corporations, government agencies, at large construction projects and private sector industries.

• Shoemaker-Skanska Construction and the Philadelphia Regional Building Trades Council entered into a strategic partnership to protect approximately 300 workers during renovation and construction of a shopping mall complex in Philadelphia. The goal of the partnership is to reduce injuries and illnesses, increase safety and health training, conduct effective health monitoring, and increase the number of employers with safety and health programs.
• P.J. Dick Incorporated entered into a strategic partnership to protect approximately 200 workers during the construction of an insurance office building in Erie. The goal of the partnership is to eliminate serious workplace hazards, prevent work-related injuries and fatalities, and develop an effective safety and health program. For more information, see the news release.

New OSHA Training Institute Education Centers Announced

Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa., and Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., have been selected as the newest additions to the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers network. OTI Education Centers are non-profit organizations that offer training on OSHA standards and occupational safety and health issues to workers and employers nationwide.

Top 10 OSHA Violations Announced at National Safety Congress

Top from left: Fall Protection, Hazard Communication, Scaffolding, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout
Bottom from left: Ladders, Powered Industrial Trucks, Machine Guarding, Fall Protection – Training Requirements, Electrical – Wiring Methods

On Sept. 26, at the National Safety Council's annual Congress & Expo, OSHA Deputy Director of Enforcement Programs Patrick Kapust announced the preliminary list of 10 standards most frequently cited by the agency’s inspectors during Fiscal Year 2017. Fall protection was the most-cited standard for the seventh year in a row, followed by Hazard Communication, and Scaffolding. The only new addition to last year’s list was Fall Protection – Training Requirements, which came in at ninth place. OSHA publicizes the Top 10 list to increase awareness of these standards so employers can take steps to find and fix the hazards to prevent injury or illness

OSHA Awards $10.5 Million in Susan Harwood Safety and Health Training Grants

OSHA has awarded $10.5 million in one-year grants to 80 organizations through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. The program funds grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, unions, joint labor-management associations, and colleges and universities. See the list of Fiscal Year 2017 Susan Harwood Training Grant recipients for details on the education and training offered by each awardee.

OSHA Memorandum Outlines 30-Day Enforcement Plan for Silica Construction Standard

Enforcement of OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standard for construction went into effect on Sept. 23. The agency announced in a September 20 memorandum a 30-day enforcement phase-in to help employers comply with the new standard. Citations may be considered for employers not making any efforts to comply. For more information on silica hazards and OSHA’s standard, visit the Silica Final Rule webpage.

OSHA Proposes Extension to Compliance Deadline for Crane Operator Certification Requirements

OSHA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to extend the employer’s responsibility to ensure crane operator competency and enforcement for crane operator certification to Nov. 10, 2018. OSHA proposed a delay of the enforcement date to address stakeholder concerns over the operator certification requirements in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.

Comments may be submitted by Sept. 29 either electronically, at www.regulations.gov, or by facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for submission details and more information.

Shoemaker Skanska Joint Venture Sign OSHA Partnership at Fashion Outlets Philadelphia

 

Partnership demonstrates Skanska USA and Shoemaker Construction Co.’s commitment to leadership in safety

The joint venture of Skanska USA and Shoemaker Construction Co. and the Philadelphia Area Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have announced a strategic partnership during construction of Fashion Outlets Philadelphia. OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize voluntary partner efforts to eliminate serious workplace hazards and aligns with Skanska’s Injury Free Environment (IFE) initiative. IFE is a holistic approach to safety, where everyone has the responsibility to be personally involved in preventing harm to themselves, as well as to their colleagues.

A signing ceremony was held May 4th to coincide with Safety Week, a weeklong celebration of the construction industry’s ongoing commitment to an injury free workplace.

“Partnerships such as the one with Shoemaker Skanska allow all parties to work towards the common goal of reducing partner injury, illness, and fatality rates across the country,” said Theresa Downs, Director of OSHA’s Philadelphia Area Office, “We are thrilled to enter this partnership for the safety and health of workers at one of the largest active job sites in Philadelphia.”

Under this agreement, OSHA will evaluate the Fashion Outlets Philadelphia project site health and safety plan to determine whether effective safety and health management systems are in place; designate an OSHA compliance Assistance Specialist to serve as a resource and liaison person for the Partnership; meet with Shoemaker Skanska quarterly to review project safety performance; provide timely responses to requests for information; and provide information on OSHA training resources.

Skanska implemented its Injury Free Environment initiative to create a mindset intolerant of any frequency or severity of incident or injury. The Injury-Free Environment extends well beyond the jobsite, including the use of appropriate precautions while doing work at home—such as positioning a ladder correctly and carefully.

“Skanska is committed to implementing and fostering an Injury Free Environment throughout our entire organization; no injury is acceptable and working safely is not optional,” said Ed Szwarc, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Skanska. “Together with Shoemaker and OSHA we stand in mutual commitment to ensure the Fashion Outlets Philadelphia worksite is the gold standard for worker health and safety.”

“Shoemaker prides itself on high quality and the highest safety standards on our projects and we continue to find ways to not only maintain but improve the safety practices we implement on our job sites to maintain that reputation,” said Maura Hesdon, General Manager of Shoemaker. “OSHA Partnerships have reaped positive effects on past Shoemaker projects and we look forward to strengthening that relationship of incident prevention with OSHA on Fashion Outlets Philadelphia.”

Owned and operated by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and Macerich, Fashion Outlets Philadelphia spans three city blocks and is a key piece of PREIT and Macerich’s revitalization of East Market Street. The approximately 1,400,000 SF interior and exterior renovation is currently underway and includes selective structural demolition; new structural and architectural construction; modifications and additions to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems; replacement of all common area floor finishes, ceilings and lighting, neutral columns and storefront bulkheads and related core and shell work. The project is slated to open in 2018.

Skanska’s building experience in the Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware region includes such projects as the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion Addition at the Franklin Institute, University of Delaware East Campus Residence Hall, SugarHouse Casino, Inspira Healthcare Network, Christiana Care Health Systems Women and Children’s Health Building, American Airlines Terminal F expansion and baggage claim at Philadelphia International Airport, and the Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Shoemaker’s recent Philadelphia area projects include Amtrak’s 30th Street Station West Plaza Replacement, Villanova University’s SAC Garage Overbuild Expansion, Temple University Hospital’s Ontario Garage Replacement, Hope Partnership for Education’s Quint Learning Center, 801 Market St. Masonry Preservation, Chestnut Hill College’s Clement Hall Window Replacement, Philadelphia Housing Authority Design Build Headquarters at Ridge Avenue, and Philadelphia Housing Authority Design Build North Central Phase Two.

Source: USA Skanska

Construction worker crushed by safe deposit box

WYNCOTE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in suburban Philadelphia say a construction worker was crushed to death by a safety deposit box.

Cheltenham Township police say the incident happened at an old Wells Fargo in the Cheltenham Mall around 1 p.m. Monday. Officials say three construction workers were trying to move a safe deposit box with a lift when it fell onto one of the workers.

Authorities say 35-year-old Jonathan Maust, of Elizabethtown, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say a special unit was called in to lift the fallen safe.

Representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are working with the Montgomery County Coroner's Office and local police to investigate the incident.

Source: Philly.com

Market Street building collapse civil case ends in $227M settlement

Real estate developer Richard Basciano, the Salvation Army and several others will pay out $227 million in damages in the civil case over the deadly June 2013 building collapse at Market and 22nd streets that led to the deaths of seven and injured a dozen others.

The settlement came down Wednesday, and marks a record for the largest personal injury settlement in Pennsylvania history, according to the attorneys who represented the collapse victims in the case.

All defendants found liable in deadly '13 Philly building collapse

Reviewing 15 weeks of trial testimony in just four hours, a Philadelphia jury on Tuesday found that all five defendants, including the Salvation Army, bore responsibility for the 2013 building collapse that crushed the charity's thrift store in Center City, resulting in the deaths of seven people.

Montco Contractor Repeatedly Exposed Workers To Fall Hazards, Fined $87k: Officials

A Montgomery County contractor has been fined more than $87,000 after repeatedly exposing workers to fall hazards and other dangers.

A Montgomery County contractor has been fined $87,000 for exposing workers to scaffolding and fall hazards at a construction site in Philadelphia, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in a press release Tuesday.

OSHA issued citations to the company for four repeat and two serious safety violations, the release states.

An investigation first began into Plymouth Meeting-based Real Contractors on June 10, 2016, at a work site on 330 Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia OSHA said.

OSHA officials said that Real repeatedly failed to provide workers with safe access to scaffold platforms. In addition, they did not provide adequate fall training.

The same contractor was cited for similar violations in February 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

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“By not complying with OSHA safety standards, Real Contractors continues to put its workers at serious risk of being injured or killed on the job," Theresa Downs, director of OSHA’s Philadelphia Area Office, said in a statement. "The hazards found in our inspection are all completely preventable, and must be immediately corrected by the company."

The total amount of fines is $87,794.

Real has 15 days to respond to the citations. They are based on 600 West Germantown Pike in Plymouth.

Source: Patch.com

Roofing company fined more than $300K for exposing workers to falls at Pittsburgh worksite

OSHA recently cited A&W Roofing of Middlefield, Ohio, after an inspection of a Pittsburgh worksite found the company had failed to provide fall protection to employees working 35 to 40 feet above the ground on a steeply sloped roof. OSHA also found that the employer failed to ensure that workers on the ground wore hardhats as required to prevent head injuries, and failed to ensure that ladders were properly extended to prevent falls that could injure workers. In addition, A&W did not have an effective safety and health program in place and did not provide workers with fall protection training. A&W Roofing was cited in 2014, 2015 and 2016 for similar violations at worksites in Ohio. For more information, read the news release.

Source: OSHA

Pennsylvania masonry company to pay $135K to plant manager illegally terminated for reporting hazards

York Building Products terminated a plant manager after the employee repeatedly reported air quality and other safety and health hazards to upper management at the company's Middletown, Pa., plant in 2014. In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, following OSHA's whistleblower investigation, the company will pay the terminated employee $135,000 in back wages and compensatory damages. "Employers should act promptly and positively when they receive safety complaints from employees," said Oscar L. Hampton III, regional solicitor in Philadelphia. "In this instance, the employer did not, and they are paying the price." 

For details, read the news release.