Safety and Health Regulatory Problems

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The 100 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Construction Standards in 1991: A Guide for the Abatement of the Top 25 Associated Physical Hazards

Falls are the most common causes of death in the construction industry. This is from a research that was done in the late 1980s where it was found out that, 33% of deaths in constructions were as a result of falling from the open floors and openings without a guard rail. This meant that an action had to be taken to prevent unnecessary deaths in the construction industry. Other than deaths, some of the employees suffered from fractures and injuries. Falls ranging from 4-6 feet were the most serious. Falling of materials from the top of buildings also caused injury or death of people on the ground. This called for measures in all dimensions to take care of the employees as well as the rest of the people in the surrounding of a construction exercise (Marshall 1).

Prevention mechanisms for falls are more effective than protection mechanisms. To construct effective guard rail systems is more effective than use of helmets and dressing for a fall. Toe boards should also be constructed to protect the workers below from the falling materials.

The employees should protect themselves by wearing hard hats. The employees should never fail to wear hard helmets even during site inspection. The metallic hats are not recommended because they conduct electricity. From research records, there are very good examples that demonstrate the need to wear a helmet. One man died as a result of crashing of a ladder as he was standing on the ground. Another example is when one wire rope broke and struck an employee on his head leading to his death. These incidences called for preventive measures.

Dangers of Distracted Driving, Healthier workers, Safer Work place, A stronger America

Distraction of drivers even in constructions industry causes many accidents that claim innocent lives. In 2009 driving crashes caused more than 5000 lives. It was clear that texting while driving is as bad as being drunk while driving. This is because the distraction of the eyes from the road is about 400 %. To protect the employees, major rules and regulations were put into place by OSHA. The driver causes even the ones he is driving to be injured or to lose their lives. Prevention is better than facing the consequences; many people who drive while texting are at a greater risk of having an accident (Michaels 1).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) joined together with the Transport Department and other Labor Department Agencies to make the public aware of dangers of texting while driving. Texting while driving is an offence and whoever is caught texting was supposed to pay a fine. OSHA therefore works towards creating good culture and working environments.

The employers should ensure that drivers must not text while driving. The employers should also ensure that they create working procedures that do not require an employee to send a text message. There should be time set apart for drivers to communicate with the customers and managers or any other person they may need to speak to. The employees should also be trained on safe communication at the work place. Other systems that promote texting should be discouraged. OSHA works to eliminate driving crashes. To implement its plan OSHA formed a policy for use in businesses as well as provision of information across all employees.

A Dangerous Work site

The Twin Towers attack on 11^th September, 2001 by terrorists cost many people’s lives. The destruction of the property needed reclamation. The work of reclamation had many hazards that called for care and protection of the workers to prevent any loss of life. By the time of completion on 30^th May, 2002 there were very few injuries and no extra life was lost. This was a great achievement which was as a result of OSHA working together with safety and health partners to protect the workers working that site.

This was the greatest catastrophe that occurred in the US and provided a dangerous working site. The amount of debris from the collapsed towers was huge and there was a need for a huge force to clear it up. Eclaine Chao led the signing of partnership where the American workers from all parts partnered to work on the great task of clearing the debris. There were a number of companies that provided different workers including electricians, fire fighters, machinists, iron workers and so on. There were many dangers that the workers working at this site were exposed to. The gas cylinders that could explode were risky to these workers. The falling objects from elevations could also fall on the workers.

There were over thirty cranes that were used to lift loads with steel. The strong wind and rains were adding the risk of accidents on the ground. OSHA had a task to protect the workers from these accidents. There was a launch of Joint Crane Inspection that managed operations of the cranes. More than fifteen of the cranes had serious hazards in their set up, rigging or hoisting practices. The inspection reduced the hazards and was beneficial; as the faulty cranes were removed from the taskforce.

Heavy equipment, objects and explosions, hot steel, Freon and confined space were also other areas that OSHA addressed; to protect the workers from the effects. OSHA also trained the workers on emergencies. OSHA recommended that, ‘emergency responders should plan for emergency response; ensure early and complete implementation of incident command system; designation of safety officers with no collateral duties and sufficient authority; conducting comprehensive risk assessments; make safety and health protections a priority, protect employees from job hazards, install proper shoring; consider environmental conditions; control access to the site; manage volunteers and donors effectively” (Henshaw 1).

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a responsibility of providing a safe working environment. This is a responsibility that should be taken by those involved in construction. Chemical hazards should be prevented by use of safer chemicals, trapping of harmful fumes and constructing an effective ventilation system. Other measures include prevention at personal level by wearing gloves masks and other protective clothing (OSHA 1).

The Occupational and Safety Act was passed to protect employees from unfavorable working environment. OSHA can even inspect any working environment if the employees complain of the working conditions. OSHA covers the private sector workers, state and local government workers, federal government workers. They cover them through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state program. However, it does not cover those who are self employed or family members or workplace hazards that are covered by any other federal agency.

Employers should educate employees on the chemicals they handle. They should use the records of related accidents and illnesses to teach other workers. Tests such as air samples should be conducted. The OSHA citations and injury data should be posted in an open place that is easily accessible to the workers. Reports should be written and sent to OSHA in case of any incidence within eight hours of the occurrence.

OSHA ensures that the workers who report such incidences are not denied any of their rights. OSHA has a protection mechanism of such employees. OSHAs standards covers construction work, Agricultural, Maritime operations and general Industry. The standards apply to most work places. They regulate the amount of harmful chemicals that the workers can be exposed to. It also requires the employer to provide fall protection, prevent trenching and infectious diseases.

Protecting Workers from Heat Illness

Heat is one of the things that cause illness to workers in construction because of high temperatures they get exposed to. Heat causes many deaths which are possible to prevent. Heat may kill or cause malfunctioning of various organs such as the liver or the kidney, heart, nervous system and blood disorders. The work sites of construction should be favorable for the workers. Heat makes the worker to be more vulnerable to accidents.

It has been noted that, “ High temperatures; direct sun exposure; indoor exposure; limited air movement; low fluid consumption; physical exertion; poor physical conditions; pregnancy; some medications; previous heart related illness and age increases the risk of the workers” (Solis 1). Some of the dangers of one being exposed to excess heat are “heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat rash or heat cramps” (Solis 1). Working in a hot environment can therefore lead to one of the above heat problems. It is prudent that workers and construction site supervisors are trained on health effects of heat, how to act accordingly to the symptoms and prevention mechanisms. It is important that the trainer becomes very familiar with the guide while holding the training and get a feedback later on.

Works Cited

Henshaw, John. A Dangerous Work site. OSHA, n.d. Web.

Marshall, Lan. The 100 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Construction Standards in 1991: A Guide for the Abatement of the Top 25 Associated Physical Hazards, 1995. Web.

Michaels, David. Dangers of Distracted Driving, Healthier workers, Safer Work place, A stronger America. OSHA, n.d. Web.

OSHA. Employer Responsibilities. OSHA, n.d. Web.

Solis, Hildah. Protecting Workers from Heat Illness. OSHA, 2011. Web.

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