Legislation to protect workers
- In the past year, lawmakers passed several, bills geared toward promoting the safety of workers.
- The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill that requires employers to provide written notification of quotas to employees, provide access to employees’ work speed data and alter quotas to allow for mandated breaks.
- U.S. Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri introduced bills that would require employees needing time off due to a climate disaster to be given emergency paid time off and not be retaliated against.
- The Wind Safety Standard Act protects employees when weather conditions include high winds and devises a standard on high winds that requires employers requires to track winds and have emergency plans in place.
OSHA issues guidelines for blizzards
- Snow storms have wreaked havoc across the U.S. in the past month and the worst might be yet to come.
- OSHA is reminding blizzard recovery workers and employers to be aware of the hazards and safeguards associated with storm recovery work.
- Winter weather can expose outdoor workers to fatal afflictions, such as frostbite, hypothermia, and cold stress
- It is important to know the wind chill temperature to better prepare and perform the work safely.
Construction safety event set
- The 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is scheduled for May 1-5 and is. voluntary event is intended to prevent fall-related deaths and injuries by raising awareness of hazards.
- Falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death in the industry, accounting for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- OSHA encourages workplaces to participate by hosting an event, which can include a toolbox talk or a safety activity like developing rescue plans, conducting safety equipment inspections or discussing job-specific hazards.
- Workers can take the opportunity to share falls or other job hazards with management.
Family suing after woman dies after fall
- An 87-year-old woman was walking through downtown Mt. Lebanon, Pa, when she tripped on an improperly placed construction cone, falling forward and striking her head on the curb.
- She died a few months later from those injuries.
- The family is now suing the construction company and Mt. Lebanon over the “Vibrant Uptown Plan” project.
- The lawsuit alleges that there are areas not properly secured like where the woman fell.