Safe + Sound Campaign

OSHA's 2019 Safe + Sound Campaign encourages employers to implement effective safety and health programs.  Safe + Sound Week will be August 12-18, 2019.  The week is a nationwide event to raise awareness of the value of safety and health programs.

Redesigned Whistleblower Page

OSHA has launched a redesigned Whistleblower Protection page. This new page is more interactive and includes a set of Frequently Asked Questions.  OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, and securities laws and for engaging in other related protected activities. 

OSHA Alerts:Trenches, Forklifts, Flood Cleanup

OSHA has issued alerts on trench safety, forklifts, and flood cleanup.  The one-page alerts summarize key steps that employers can take to protect workers, and provide links to additional OSHA resources.  OSHA has also issued a one-page tip sheet titled Trenching Safety: 5 Things You Should Know to Stay Safe.

PSAs on Safety During Storm Cleanup

U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has issued public service announcements on keeping workers safe while performing cleanup and recovery operations following hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. The 30-second audio messages, in English and Spanish, cover hazards from flooding, electrical, chainsaws, falls, and mold.

Suicide Prevention

A new OSHA webpage provides resources on preventing suicides in the workplace, including in the construction industry. 

Cytomegalovirus

A new OSHA webpage provides information about cytomegalovirus (CMV) for workers and employers.  CMV is  a common, but little know virus that typically causes few or very minor symptoms in adults, but can cause serious birth defects in infants born to women infected during pregnancy.  The webpage provides information on infection prevention measures for childcare workers, healthcare workers, and workers who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Measles

A new OSHA webpages provides information about measles for workers and employers.  It addresses developing infection control plans and other infection prevention measures for workers in general and for those who may be at higher risk, such as healthcare workers, childcare and school workers, laboratory workers, and environmental services workers.

OSHA’s Alliance Program participants did not issue products  from April 1 to June 30, 2019.    For a complete listing of Alliance products, see the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page. Alliance products do not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA.

Construction Falls from Roofs, Ladders, and Scaffolds

A fact sheet from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides recommendations, reports, and resources to help employers, safety professionals, and workers prevent fall injuries and deaths from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds.

NIOSH FACE Reports and Products

The NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program conducts investigations on workplace fatalities to identify the factors that contributed to these fatal injuries. This information is used to develop comprehensive recommendations for preventing similar deaths.  The NIOSH FACE Program issued the following reports and products from April 1 to June 30, 2019. 

Falls

• Fatal Falls in Construction - Michigan Hazard Alert
• Laborer Severely Injured in 60-Foot Fall From Scissor Lift – Washington. Fatality narrative as slideshow.
• Ironworker Falls 80 Feet Through Bent Plate Gap - Washington.  Injury narrative as slideshow. 
• Window Cleaner Falls 50 Feet – Washington.  Fatality narrative as slideshow.

Trenching

• Construction Owner Died in Trench Wall Collapse – Michigan
• Trench Wall Collapses DO Kill - Michigan Hazard Alert
• Spotter Crushed Between Excavator Bucket and Trench Box - Washington.  Fatality narrative as slideshow.

Heat

• Working in Extreme Heat and Humidity - Kentucky

Motor Vehicles/Transportation

• Roadside Workers and Traffic Hazards – Michigan Hazard Alert
• Work-Related Roadway Collisions: Prevention Strategies for Employers – Michigan Hazard Alert
• Dump Truck Operator Electrocuted After Truck Bed Contacts High Voltage Line – Kentucky

Agriculture

• Farmers Killed in Incidents Involving All-Terrain Vehicles – Kentucky Hazard Alert
• Owner of Farm Land Died Due to a Tractor Overturn to the Side Into a Ravine – Michigan
• Owner of Farm Land Pinned Under Tractor While Clearing Fence Line – Michigan
• Orchard Manager Dies When ATV Crashes into Apple Bin - Washington.  Fatality narrative as slideshow.
• Laborer Burned Cutting 55-Gallon Drum When Leftover Fuel Explodes, Washington.  Fatality narrative as slideshow.

Other FACE Reports

• Workers Severely Injured Using Demolition Robots – Washington Hazard Alert
• A 23-Year-Old Worker Pulled Into a Wood Chipper on His First Day on the Job – New York
• Safety Interlocks Bypassed on Feller Bunchers - Washington Hazard Alert (Logging)
• Collecting Union Status for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: A Massachusetts Case Study

CPWR Video: Comparison of Concrete Drilling Methods

A new video from CPWR (The Center for Construction Research and Training) compares the performance of pneumatic and electric drills during concrete drilling, and the different levels of dust, vibration, and noise generated during the work.  The video is available in English and Spanish.

CPWR Nail Gun Safety Information in Spanish

CPWR has translated its Nail Gun Safety webpage into Spanish. 

CPWR Resources for Safe Materials Handling

CPWR has added two new resources to its Best Built Plans Toolkit for safe and productive materials handling.  The Best Built Plans materials are now available as a free phone app, and the resources are now also available in Spanish.