A new CPWR Quarterly Data Report reveals a disturbing trend: the gap between worker fatality rates at small and large contractors has steadily widened during the construction recovery. 

Between 2008 and 2016, according to the report, construction establishments with 20 or more employees experienced a 30% drop in their fatality rate, while small construction employers (those with fewer than 20 employees) saw their rate of fatal injuries increase by 57%. In 2016, these small construction establishments employed 37% of the construction workforce but accounted for more than two

thirds (67.2%) of fatalities.

 

CPWR provides an online tool designed to help small construction contractors self-assess their safety management programs and identify ways to improve them. The free and anonymous Safety Climate Assessment Tool for Small Contractors (S-CAT ^SC) can be found on the CPWR website.

 

CLICK HERE for the complete Quarterly Data Report, Fatal Injuries among Small Construction Establishments. 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a final rule that clarifies certification requirements for crane operators, and maintains the employer’s duty to ensure that crane operators can safely operate the equipment. The final rule will maintain safety and health protections for workers while reducing compliance burdens.

Under the final rule, employers are required to train operators as needed to perform assigned crane activities, evaluate them, and document successful completion of the evaluations. Employers who have evaluated operators prior to December 9, 2018, will not have to conduct those evaluations again, but will only have to document when those evaluations were completed.

The rule also requires crane operators to be certified or licensed, and receive ongoing training as necessary to operate new equipment. Operators can be certified based on the crane’s type and capacity, or type only, which ensures that more accredited testing organizations are eligible to meet OSHA’s certification program requirements. The final rule revises a 2010 requirement that crane operator certification must specify the rated lifting capacity of cranes for which the operator is certified. Compliant certifications that were already issued by type and capacity are still acceptable under this final rule.

The final rule, with the exception of the evaluation and documentation requirements, will become effective on Dec. 9, 2018. The evaluation and documentation requirements will become effective on February 7, 2019.

With flu season in full swing, is your workplace ready? Use the following toolkit materials to prepare. 

• 5-Minute Safety Talk: Keep Your Germs to Yourself 

• Checklist: Facts About the Flu

• Flyer: Myths and Facts: Flu Vaccination

• Quiz: Colds and Flu

On Friday, November 2, 2018, the MBA Risk Management Committee held its Annual Safety Appreciation Night at The Rivers Casino. More than 200 MBA members attended to celebrate their award winning safety accomplishments!

Click here to view photos.