The Construction Industry

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1 The Construction Industry 90% of Construction Employers have 20 or less employees. The industry typically has very high turnover rates. Most are multi-employer worksites. Over half of OSHA compliance inspections are construction (three year average, FY15-17).

2 Construction Industry Fatalities Years Total Fatalities All Construction Fatality Rates All Construction Source of fatality data: Bureau of Labor Statistics

3 Construction Focus Four The leading hazards that cause 90% of the injuries and deaths. The leading hazards are: falls, (e.g., floors, platforms, roofs) struck by, (e.g., falling objects, vehicles) caught in/between (e.g., cave-ins, unguarded machinery, equipment) electrical (e.g., overhead power lines, power tools and cords, outlets, temporary wiring)

4 Construction Focus Four The actual breakdown of these causes of fatalities on construction sites in 2016 is as follows (numbers are a percentage of the 991 total construction-related fatalities that occurred in 2016): Falls: 370 (37%); Electrocutions: 82 (8%); Struck by object: 93 (9%); Caught in/between: 55 (5%). Source of fatality data: Bureau of Labor Statistics

5 Fatal falls to lower level by height of fall, 2016

6 Top Ten Violations in Construction FY Fall Protection General Requirements ( ) 2. Scaffolding ( ) 3. Ladders ( ) 4. Fall Protection Training ( ) 5. Eye and Face Protection ( ) 6. Hazard Communication ( ) 7. Head Protection ( ) 8. Aerial Lifts ( ) 9. General Safety and Health Provisions ( ) 10.Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices ( )

7 New Agency Priority Goal Department of Labor Worker Safety: Reduce Trenching and Excavation Hazards Goal Leader: Loren Sweatt, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Deputy Goal Leader: Dean McKenzie, Director, Directorate of Construction Goal Statement: By September 30, 2019, increase trenching and excavation hazards abated by 10% compared to FY2017 through inspections and compliance assistance at workplaces covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Implementation Action Plans will be available with the Q1 FY 2018 performance update. Government OSHA example OSHA does reference and use this standard now:

8 OSHA Trenching Initiative

9 OSHA Trenching Initiative Increase awareness of excavation hazards in construction; Educate employers and workers on safe cave-in prevention solutions; and Decrease the number of trench collapses A revised OSHA NEP for trenching and Excavations will be forthcoming shortly

10 Trenching Injuries & Deaths Trench-Related Fatalities Trench-Related Reported Injuries

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12 Fatal occupational injuries involving trenching/excavation Characteristic total Total: 130 Employee status: Wage and salary workers (2) 115 Self-employed (3) 13 Gender: Women 1 Men 129 SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Dec 20, 2017

13 Fatal Injuries involving trenching/excavation ( ) Employee Age

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17 Top Violations in Trenching/ Excavation FY16-17 Standard Hazards Total Violati on (c)(2) Means of Acess and egress 269 from trench (j)(2) Protection of employees from loo (k)(1) Daily Inspection not conduct by 229 comptent person (k)(2) Competent person (h)(1) Hazards associated with water accumulation (a)(1) Each employee in the excavation shall be protected from cave-in by an adequate protective system SOURCE : OIS

18 Criminal Liability Trenching cases have been taken by DOJ s Environmental Crimes division Arrow Plumbing, LLC in KC Atlantic Drain in MA Susquehanna in PA

19 Example On July 7, 2015, a Susquehanna Supply Company employee entered a trench at one end of the bridge to remove additional soil. The trench was approximately twelve feet deep. While the employee was working, one of the trench s vertical dirt walls collapsed, burying the employee up to his chest and crushing him against the bridge s concrete abutment. The collapse caused massive trauma to the employee s upper body and killed him almost instantly. Update: U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle is expected to sentence Susquehanna Supply Co. to pay a fine of $250,000 for willfully committing an OSHA violation that resulted in an employee s death.

20 Why employees continue to get hurt in trenches? Lack of Soil Analysis Lack of Protective System Lack of Competent Person

21 OSHA Trenching Initiative Outreach Activities: OSHA working with trade associations to increase trenching and excavation hazard awareness that include the North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA) and Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). National Utility Contractors Association s Trenching Safety Stand Down that will be held June

22 Trenching and Excavation Resources Revised OSHA 2226 Excavation

23 Resources

24 Trenching and Excavation Resources Trenching and Excavation Safety OSHA Publication OSHA R Subpart P Excavations OSHA Regulatory Requirements _standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926#19 26_Subpart_P

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