|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (703) 360-7080.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
announced today that its Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory
Committee (SENRAC) has reached consensus on a draft proposal for a revised
steel erection standard.
"This is a major step forward in improving protection for
the tens of thousands of workers in steel erection," said Assistant Secretary
of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Joseph A. Dear. "It is an
outstanding example of how the new OSHA works -- achieving common sense
regulation through partnership with labor, industry, public interests and other
governmental agencies. The language used in the draft proposal also
incorporates 'plain English' that can be understood by both employers and their
workers."
An integral part of the proposal is improved fall
protection for steel erection workers. A new study by the University of Utah
indicates that the fall-related death rate for the steel erection industry over
a six-year period was 13 times higher than for the construction industry as a
whole and 100 times that of general industry.
Richard King, partner and manager of safety and health for
Black & Veatch, a Kansas City, Mo., engineering and construction firm said,
the negotiating process was rewarding. "It was a dynamic process that produced
a standard that will be very usable, easy to understand, and will save lives.
Everybody had an opportunity to be heard. The result was a product that the
government didn't develop and shove down industry's throat. It was a product
developed by the industry itself. I hope OSHA will continue to involve SENRAC
in the implementation of a final rule, using SENRAC members to help explain it
to employers and employees."
Jake West, president of the International Association of
Bridge, Structural & Ornamental Iron Workers, AFL-CIO, a union with members
on the committee, said, "This is a major success that permitted those who must
abide by a government regulation to help write it. Because it was done this
way, it will expedite swift voluntary compliance by the industry. We have
already started working on plans to achieve such voluntary compliance."
The proposal would require fall protection for steel
erection workers working at heights of 15 feet or more. Workers doing
connection work and workers installing decking would be the exception and would
be protected at 30 feet.
Connectors still would be required to wear personal fall
protection equipment but, because they sometimes need mobility, they could
decide whether or not to tie off between 15 and 30 feet while doing connecting.
There would be controlled zones where decking workers would not be required to
tie off below 30 feet.
The current steel erection standards do not require
workers to tie off until they are at 25 feet and, in some cases, 30 feet
high.
Many falls in steel erection are related to causes other
than the worker slipping or falling, such as structure instability.
Responding to these hazards, the draft proposal includes
new requirements for stability such as a minimum number of anchor bolts and the
proper procedure for making double connections (where two pieces of steel share
a common connection point and common bolts on either side of a central piece).
The standard also establishes safe procedures for making multiple lifts (where
several pieces of steel are hoisted at one time) that reflect the best industry
practices.
The proposal is designed to protect all workers engaged in
steel erection activities. It does not cover electric transmission towers,
communications towers, broadcast towers, water towers or tanks.
SENRAC was established May 11, 1994, under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Negotiated Rulemaking Act and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act. Negotiated rulemaking is a process spelled out
in federal law in which a proposed rule is developed by a committee composed of
all interests significantly affected by the final rule. Decisions are made by
consensus.
The members are:
Richard Adams / Donald Pittenger
Safety and Occupational Health Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Sacramento, Calif. / Washington, D.C.
William Brown
Ben Hur Construction Co.
St. Louis, Mo.
Byron R. Chadwick
Regional Administrator,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Denver, Colo.
James E. Cole
International Association of Bridge,
Structural & Ornamental Iron Workers
Washington, D.C.
Stephen D. Cooper
International Association of Bridge,
Structural & Ornamental Iron Workers
Washington, D.C.
Philip H. Cordova
El Paso Crane & Rigging, Inc.
El Paso, Texas
Perry A. Day / Stacy B. Gillen
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship
Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers
Fairfax, Va.
James R. Hinson
J. Hinson Network, Inc.
San Leandro, Calif.
Jim E. Lapping / Brad Sant
Building and Construction Trades Department
AFL-CIO
Washington, D. C.
Richard King
Black & Veatch
Kansas City, Mo.
John R. Molovich
United Steelworkers of America
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Carol Murkland / John P. O'Donovan
Gilbane Building Co.
Laurel, Md. / Providence, R.I.
John J. Murphy / Fred H. Codding, Esq.
Williams Enterprises of Georgia, Inc.
Smyrna, Ga. / Fairfax, Va.
Steven L. Rank
Holton & Associates, Ltd.
St. Louis, Mo.
Ray Rooth
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
California Department of Industrial Relations
San Francisco, Calif.
Al Simmons
Council of Greater New York and Vicinity
International Association of Bridge,
Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers
Lake Grove, N.Y.
William J. Smith
International Union of Operating Engineers
Washington, D.C.
Ronald Stanevich
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Division of Safety Research
Morgantown, W. Va.
C. Rockwell Turner
L.P.R. Construction
Loveland, Colo.
Eric Waterman
National Erectors Association
Arlington, Va.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| |
|
