Tag: safety: Page 51

Safety

Three-alarm fire destroys historic building in Des Moines undergoing renovation

For the third time in less than a month, a large fire has destroyed a building where construction was in progress. Following five-alarm fires in San Francisco and Houston that completely destroyed unfinished apartment complexes, a three-alarm fire engulfed the historic Younkers Building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, causing the structure to partially collapse. According to […]

April 1, 2014

Safety

Demo Dangers: Be prepared for the unpredictable hazards of demolition work

April 1, 2014

Safety

DitchWitch, AEM produce safety video for vacuum excavation

Ditch Witch and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers have partnered to create a 19-minute DVD sharing tips for safe vacuum excavator operation. Vacuum excavators lessen damage to utilities and are designed for several tasks including soft excavation and cleanup. Ditch Witch says they’ve seen more and more contractors begin using the machines and thought the time […]

March 28, 2014

Safety

Construction worker’s harrowing rescue from massive fire in Houston caught on tape

A $50 million luxury apartment complex under construction in Houston was reduced to ashes Tuesday afternoon by a five-alarm fire that raged for nearly two and-a-half hours. There were 90 construction workers in the building when the fire started and all were evacuated safety and without injury. However, there was an extremely close call when […]

March 26, 2014

Workforce

Aim is admirable, but OSHA’s proposed silica rule has 3 fatal flaws

Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began its public hearings on a proposed update to its 40-year-old rule on crystalline silica exposure. Those hearings will conclude Friday, April 4 and a final rule could follow in short order, possibly providing the basis for a future rulemaking from the Mine Safety and Health […]

March 24, 2014

Safety

Collapse at Boston construction site injures 3 workers

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include the injury of a third worker in the accident. Two workers were hospitalized Thursday morning in Boston in the wake of a partial collapse of a 33-story residential building under construction. The workers’ injuries were said to be non-life threatening, but one of the workers did […]

March 20, 2014

Safety

IPAF, NCCCO promote power line safety, demonstrate proper technique

The International Powered Access Federation and National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators again teamed up at ConExpo-Con/Agg, this time focusing on the need to follow correct procedures when working around power lines. Noting that electrocutions account for the majority of crane-related fatalities, NCCCO Executive Director Graham Brent, said confusing and complex regulations with […]

March 18, 2014

Roadbuilding

Illinois launches ‘Drop It and Drive’ campaign to educate drivers about new hand-held cell phone ban

Drivers in Illinois caught using using a cellphone without a hands-free device (except in an emergency) such as speakerphone or headsets that feature voice-activated or one-digit dialing are ticketed and fined from $75 up to $150 for repeat offenses, with eventual suspension of their driver’s licenses after a new state law took effect on Jan. […]

March 11, 2014

Roadbuilding

Rhode Island DOT to invest $2 million in driver safety

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is planning to install a $2 million system on its highways to prevent drivers who are entering via ramps from driving the wrong way, WPRO News reports. The agency intends to start installation of the system at 20 locations throughout the state in April, with a large focus on […]

March 4, 2014

Safety

More than Tailgate Talks: Creating a safety culture in construction requires proactive, not reactive, judgment

Three people a day don’t go home alive in the construction industry. Nine people a day lose their lives due to distracted driving. Why? Complacency and cognitive bias, says Mike Bennett, the Vice President of health, safety, environmental and human resources for Cianbro a large contractor operating out of Pittsfield, Maine. Speaking at the Association […]

March 3, 2014

Safety

Disastrous Drops: Falls are the number one cause of death in construction accidents

February 28, 2014

Construction Equipment

New Jersey construction worker falls from bridge, lands on his feet without even breaking a bone

A fall is the most deadly accident that can happen to a construction worker. And one that takes place from a bridge 25 feet in the air should be no exception. But in the case of Thiago Santos, it was. Santos, a 29-year-old construction worker from Newark, New Jersey, fell 25 feet from the Pulaski Skyway […]

February 26, 2014