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Thursday, October 09, 2008

OSHA Launches National Initiative On Cranes And Derricks

To coincide with the proposed rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction, published in today's Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has initiated a National Crane Safety Initiative to address safety hazards during construction crane operation.

The Crane Safety Initiative also builds on a number of steps taken by OSHA earlier this year to raise awareness on crane safety and increase enforcement of the current standards, including launching local emphasis programs in a number of regions to inspect high-rise construction, stakeholder outreach and additional training on crane safety.

"Three important features of this initiative are that it will provide information and outreach to the construction industry and other stakeholders, offer enhanced resources to OSHA inspectors who address crane safety and implement a National Emphasis Program on Crane Safety," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported the 2007 fatality rate was the lowest in recorded history, including a reported five percent reduction in fatalities for the construction industry. This initiative builds upon this successful record."

Through its agency partners in the construction industry, OSHA will increase awareness of and provide information on how to avoid crane hazards. The agency's compliance safety and health officers will receive enhanced resources on crane safety. Additionally, the National Emphasis Program will incorporate increased targeted inspections of construction worksites to identify crane hazards and promote compliance with workplace crane safety requirements.

OSHA's proposed rule on cranes and derricks addresses the key hazards associated with construction cranes and derricks.

Our previous posts on crane safety include:
Tower Crane Safety
OSHA To Issue Proposed Cranes and Derricks Construction Standard
Unqualified Hardhats Feared As Fake Crane-Safety Papers Found
OSHA Investigates Crane Accident

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posted by Steve Hudgik | Workplace Safety Post 1 Comments |


1 Comments:

Anonymous Ajlouny said...

That's great and all, but what is OSHA doing about crooked inspectors that take bribes when the unsafe safety violations at construction/crane job sites are seen but not reported.

9:24 PM  

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