Dirt Talk: Is your jobsite safe?
May 17, 2010
As the weather gets warmer, work on the jobsite is starting
to heat up as well. Sometimes in the rush to get work done, safety precautions
can be overlooked—but that could ultimately be very dangerous or very costly.
Recently, OSHA inspectors found workers at a Newton, Mass., construction site in a
14-foot excavation hole without hard hats or other safety equipment.
According to OSHA, the workers were in danger of being
crushed by concrete and dirt. Inspectors found hazards that included lack of
proper bracing to prevent excavation holes from collapsing and protruding rebar
that could have harmed workers. The two contractors were fined $178,000 for the
hazards.
With proper planning, companies can avoid both potential
safety risks and hefty fines. Check out “Prepare for OSHA’s Next Visit” for
steps companies can take to plan ahead for OSHA inspections and prevent worker
injuries at your excavation site. Is your company taking the proper steps to
stay safe on the jobsite? Do you feel that more could be done to avoid injuries?
Editor's note: A version of this blog is also posted at www.rpls.com/blogs/2/22.
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