A general contractor can be fined as a controlling employer.

• A general contractor in the construction industry can be held liable for the safety and health violations of subcontractors on the worksite.
• While the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has found a general contractor’s lack of knowledge of the alleged violations justified vacating citations against them, OSHA can cite them in these situations.
• Under OSHA’s multi-employer policy, more than one employer can be cited for the same hazardous conditions at a worksite under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, regardless of which entity created the hazard and whose employees were exposed to the hazard.
• While OSHA’s multi-employer policy applies to employers in all industries, OSHA most often enforces it in construction against the general contractor. Under this policy, OSHA may cite a general contractor as a controlling employer.
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Ohio auto carpet maker cited after worker suffers partial amputation

• After a worker sustained a partial finger amputation, an OSHA inspection found that UGN Inc. did not provide or require the use of machine-specific lockout procedures for machinery located in manufacturing cells that contained rotating drums, hot air boxes, burn boxes, chains, and sprockets.
• The cells were enclosed on only three sides, which allowed workers to walk inside and around equipment removing excess fiber to prevent machine clogs during the manufacturing of carpet underlayment.
• OSHA cited the company for three repeat and four serious violations for not having required machine safety procedures, lack of machine guarding on rotating drums, failing to train employees in lockout procedures, and not providing workers heat-resistant personal protective equipment to protect them from exposure to thermal temperatures.
• UGN Inc. faces $234,376 in proposed OSHA penalties and was placed in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
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Teens are limited to working as roofers in Florida

• Florida senators revised a bill that limits 16- and 17-year-olds to work on roofing projects at residential construction jobs below 6 feet.
• Originally, SB 460 would have authorized 16- and 17-year-olds to work on roofs at residential and commercial sites.
• But state Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, rewrote the measure to exclude them from commercial jobs and working on any scaffolding, roof, or ladder above 6 feet.
• Supporters say the measure will allow teenagers to gain real-world experience that will serve them whether they continue in construction or go to college.
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OSHA seeking input

• OSHA and the National Safety Council are seeking input on how safety and health metrics can be used more effectively to prevent workplace injuries and illness.
• The agency has contracted NSC to survey businesses and organizations nationwide to gain insight into the current use of such metrics, with a special emphasis on leading indicators.
• Respondents have the option to receive a summary of the survey results, as well as other study findings that can help improve the use of workplace safety and health metrics.
• Responses will be kept confidential. Only researchers at NSC will have access to the data collected. All findings will be reported in aggregate form, and individual survey respondents or their employers will never be identified in any report or communication.
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