News

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Why are more construction workers dying on the job lately?It seems as if we’re regularly reporting on preventable trench-related injuries and deaths. While it shouldn’t be a “routine” part of the job, unfortunately, it seems like it is. In late November, OSHA reported the number of fatalities in 2016 was 23 (as of today, there isn’t an updated 2016 number to report). In both 2014 and 2015, there were only 11 fatalities. Given how many folks are working in construction across the country, you might think 23 is a low number. To us, it is a frustrating reality, since trench-related deaths are so easily preventable.

Cincinnati-area OSHA director Ken Montgomery attributed the rise in fatalities to an increase in business, thus leading to an increase in exposure for workers. In fact, fatalities in construction overall are the highest they’ve been since 2008, which was also the last time the employment rate in the industry was as high as it is today. It seems there is a direct correlation between the health of the industry and the number of accidents.

In case you hadn’t heard, OSHA has issued a new requirement, effective January 1, 2017 that requires companies to electronically submit injury and illness data. Employers with 20 – 249 employees in high hazard industries must submit data from their 2016 300 A form prior to July 1. Companies with more than 250 employees that are covered by recordkeeping requirements will need to do the same. You can visit the OSHA website for more information on reporting a workplace injury, illness, or fatality.

As always, Luby Shoring Services is available to provide support and guidance during your next construction project. We are well-versed in all OSHA safety regulations and can get you the right equipment for the job. Keep your team safe and avoid those harsh penalties. Give us a call at 636-660-7467.

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It’s probably safe to say that there’s a bit more uncertainty in the country than usual, and the reports of recent lost jobs in the construction industry can have you feeling a little unsettled. Is this the right career to stick with? What does the future look like for construction?

While no one can predict the future, there are some real numbers that paint of picture of what the industry looks like today and where it’s expected to go in the future. It’s good to arm yourself with real facts and data when you’re making a decision about your career.

According to an article from Construction Dive published in early January, 3,000 jobs were lost in the construction industry in December of 2016. However, there’s been a 1.5% increase in overall jobs in the past year. The jobs that were lost in December were generally from the non-residential sector. The residential sector actually gained jobs.

Also in the last year, wages for those working in the construction industry went up around 3% to hit an average of $28.42 per hour. This is the fastest construction wages have grown since 2009, according to the AGC.

You might think that because jobs are being lost, that means there’s not a lot of room for growth. This isn’t the case. In fact, there is a lot of available work, however, companies are struggling to find skilled people to hire. Once the workforce is strengthened, the sky is the limit! In fact, according to the Dodge 2017 Construction Outlook, the construction industry is expected to prosper this year. The outlook predicts a 5% increase in overall value created by the construction industry this year, which equals more job security and more pay.

When it comes to your next excavation project, rely on Luby Shoring. We’ll help you navigate OSHA safety regulations so you can get the job done quickly, on budget, and safely. We’ll help you determine the right equipment for the job and deliver it quickly. Contact us if you’d like more information on any of our services or rentals. Here’s to a prosperous 2017!

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The Department of Labor recently made several adjustments to penalties for various agencies, including OSHA. If your company is regulated by OSHA, you will want to make sure you are up to speed on these changes, as they could seriously impact your bottom line or slow down your projects.

Were you aware that OSHA adjusts their penalties to account for inflation? The last time they made an adjustment was in 1990, so this new update is a big one. The maximum penalties have been increased by 78%. The changes went into effect on August 1, 2016, but if the violation occurred after November 2, 2015 you will be subject to the increased penalty rate. Moving forward, they will be adjusted annually so you shouldn’t expect to see a jump like this again.

Want to know what these adjustments look like in dollars and cents? Here’s a quick overview:

Serious, Other-than-Serious, and Posting Requirements Violations – The maximum penalty for these violations was $7,000 per incident. The new maximum penalty is $12,471 per violation.

Failure to Abate – In the past, you could face a penalty of $7,000 per day beyond the abatement date. Now, you’re looking at $12,471 per day.

Willful or Repeated Violations – These hefty violations used to cost $70,000 per violation. After August 1, these penalties are $124,709 each. Talk about a major increase!

In addition to these changes, a new size category has been created to accommodate small businesses. OSHA will provide penalty reductions based on the size of the employer and other select factors. For more information on the changes and what they mean for you, visit OSHA.gov.

 

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It’s a reality that’s sadly far too common in the construction industry… collapsed trenches due to shortcuts and lack of adequate shoring equipment. The news is regularly reporting on these incidents, which almost always result in injury or even death. You’d think after seeing these tragedies in the headlines, construction companies would pay more attention to OSHA regulations surrounding trench digging, but unfortunately they do not.

When a trench does collapse, the first people that are called are emergency personnel such as the fire department. They put their lives in danger trying to save those that are trapped in trenches, and as a result, many of them suffer injuries as well.

According to an article on FireChief.com, “trench events have a mortality rate 2.5 times greater than all other construction-related events.” The fire department has a tough job to do, and that is why OSHA has specific guidelines in place regarding rescue situations, just like they have guidelines for trench digging. Fire departments must learn and follow these guidelines or else face penalties just like construction companies that fail to use proper procedures.

Of course, the best case scenario would be that all jobs utilize proper shoring equipment and follow all safety guidelines from the start of the project through completion. The fewer rescue situations that are required, the fewer lives are put at risk. We are more than happy to work with you on any job, and recommend the right tools to do the job quickly and safely without any OSHA violations. To learn more, visit our website or give us a call at 636-660-SHOR.