-
This SMACNA Press Brake Safety Compliance Kit video helps employers understand how to implement the safe distance safeguarding method including training requirements.
More
-
For 2018, OSHA requirements for posting injury and illness records remain the same but reporting your records to OSHA has changed.
More
-
OSHA injury and illness records from 2017 need to be posted and reported in 2018. Posting requirements remain the same as prior years but new reporting requirements take affect now.
More
-
OSHA extends electronic records submittal date to December 31.
More
-
The OSHA rule for silica in construction became effective September 23, 2017 although OSHA included a 30-day “grace period” for full enforcement.
SMACNA members affected by this rule are encouraged to take a “holistic” approach to silica compliance by assessing the tasks and processes
where silica (found in concrete) is disturbed (cut, drilled, grinded, etc.). SMACNA members should be aware that “Table One” and dust collection tools are not the
only options for compliance. This Safety Bulletin provides further compliance guidance.
More
-
This coming year, submitting OSHA records has a new sense of urgency. Each year, members must post OSHA injury and illness records from the prior year for employee review between Jan. 1 through March. However, new reporting requirements for electronically reporting illness and injury data changes the process significantly.
More
-
OSHA has launched a "portal" for companies to enter injury illness data. However, the (current) deadline for posting 2016 data is December 1, 2017. SMACNA members are encouraged to be prepared for this posting requirement should the regulation be fully implemented by that date.
More
-
Reflecting the new administration's call for limiting regulations, OSHA's recent regulatory agendas have a few new standards and several surprise standards with no action planned.
More
-
OSHA 10 and 30 hour training is important to many clients and general contractors.
So it is important to verify that all workers on your projects have current and legitimate OSHA training cards.
Also see a note on a clarification to last week’s mailing on silica enforcement dates in New York.
More
-
OSHA has postponed the compliance date for enforcing the silica in construction rule to September, 2017.
However, some states may enforce the rule on the original compliance date of June 23, 2017.
See SMACNA Safety Bulletin 17-01 for more information.
More
-
OSHA has delayed enforcement of the Silica in Construction standard until September. However, contractors should continue with compliance efforts as OSHA completes their review of the regulation.
More
-
April 2017 - President Trump signed a resolution finalizing the Congressional Review Act process to invalidate a controversial recordkeeping regulation.
More
-
SMACNA contractors performing service work on flat roofs (low-sloped roofs) received a significant win after OSHA “agreed to” comments submitted by SMACNA and other industry stakeholders.
More
-
This coming year, submitting OSHA records has a new sense of urgency. Each year, members must post OSHA injury and illness records from the prior year for employee review between Jan. 1 through March. However, new reporting requirements for electronically reporting illness and injury data changes the process significantly. Most companies will need to electronically submit their OSHA data by July 1, 2017. The database for submitting the information will not be available until February.
More
-
SMACNA Safety Bulletin 16-08 provides information on recent revisions to several construction standards that provide clarification on outdated regulations.
More
-
SMACNA Safety Bulletin 16-07 discussed the importance of ensuring that SMACNA members conduct proper OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping by understanding that first aid cases are not recordable. A list of what NOT to record is included in the safety bulletin.
More
-
SMACNA Safety Bulletins 16-03 and 16-04 summarized the new reporting requirements under the new OSHA rule for electronic reporting of injury and illness data. This safety bulletin provides further information on post incident drug testing. read more
More
-
The OSHA Confined Spaces in Construction final rule, issued May 4, 2015,
was unclear about how it applied to attics and crawlspaces in residential construction.
However, a settlement has been reached between OSHA and interested parties who
negotiated the rule. See SMACNA Safety Bulletin 16-06 and the actual settlement letter.
More
-
The final OSHA rule for electronic filing of injury and illness data also has certain criteria for implementing a program for reporting injuries and illnesses
that focuses on promoting an open reporting policy, specifically regarding fear of retaliation and incentive programs.
More
-
OSHA has issued a final rule to further complicate the collection and recording of injury and illness data. OSHA currently requires most employers in the sheet metal and HVAC industry to keep a record of injury and illnesses. With this new rule, OSHA now requires employers in the sheet metal and HVAC industry to send OSHA injury and illness data through a dedicated webpage for posting on the agency's website.
More
-
On March 24, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a final rule to improve protections for workers exposed to respirable silica dust. The final rule is written as two standards, one for construction and one for general industry and maritime.
More
-
In addition to OSHA's On-site Consultation Program which offers free and confidential safety and occupational health advice to small and medium-sized businesses, OSHA also offers several cooperative programs under which SMACNA contractors can work cooperatively with OSHA to help prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace.
More
-
OSHA fines will rise dramatically in 2016 for the first time since 1990 due to a provision in a recent budget agreement passed by Congress.
More
-
On May 1, 2015, OSHA issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces. The rule will provide construction workers with protections similar to those in the existing General Industry standard with some differences tailored to the construction industry.
More
-
OSHA recently issued a directive for enforcing requirements of the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.
More
-
This Safety Bulletin provides an update on proposed standards affecting the sheet metal/ HVAC
industry as listed in the most recent Federal OSHA semi-annual regulatory agenda
More
-
A recent thread of emails on the SMACNA Safety Listserve addressed certification and fit
testing for “dust masks”. The following information is provided as a brief guide to using
dust masks and respirators known as “filtering facepieces”.
More
-
An ongoing issue in the construction industry is whether workers can wear hardhats “backwards”. The basic answer is No, unless the hardhat is made to be worn either way.
More
-
In the months leading up to summer, SMACNA encourages contractors to provide workers with
information and training on the hazards associated with working in hot environments.
More
-
The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a direct final
rule and notice of proposed rulemaking that applies the requirements of the August 2010 cranes
and derricks in construction standard to demolition work and underground construction.
More
-
Comments to Proposed Rule on Walking and Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2007-0072
More
-
July 2009 Small Business Forum with OSHA Director of Enforcement and Construction Programs Richard E. Fairfax, CIH. Features discussion items include:
Serious revamping of the training, with more courses, more mandatory courses, hands-on time with equipment and more.
More
-
SMACNA Comments to OSHA on Cranes and Derricks in Construction Crane FAQ Crane Fact Sheet Crane Final Rule A/D Fact Sheet Hand Signal Chart Pocket Size Hand Signal Chart Quiz Hand Signal Chart Quiz Answer Sheet Hoisting and Rigging Student Card Hoisting and Rigging Certificate Signaling Student Card Signaling Certificate
More
-
Comments to Proposed Rule on Clarification of Remedy for Violation of Requirements to Provide Personal Protective Equipment and Train Employees OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2008-0031
More
-
Comments to Proposed Rule on Confined Spaces in Construction OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2007-0026
More
-
PDF of 29 CFR Part 1926 [Docket ID–OSHA–2007–0026] RIN 1218–AB47 Confined Spaces in Construction - proposed rule
More
-
Falls from elevations account for approximately one-third of all deaths in construction. The following tips highlight some of the key issues that employers should consider when planning, implementing, and maintaining their fall prevention programs.
More
-
Seven PDFs covering hexavalent chromium, as well as a link to videos covering the topic at ELCOSH.org
More
-
SMACNA Comments to OSHA on employer payment of personal protective equipment
Subject of memo: Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment - Docket S-042
More
-
Each year 300,000 to 400,000 individuals die from cardiac arrest. Most of these deaths occur outside hospitals. With this in mind, OSHA is now encouraging the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
More