Connecticut construction worker survives fall onto forklift
Fed-OSHA is investigating an accident that occurred last week when a 19-year-old worker fell three stories onto a forklift at a Granby, Connecticut construction site. Hartford Courant
Judge affirms citations in employee’s death in tree-grinder
The owner of an Albany, New York-area tree removal service has been fined $66,000 by Fed-OSHA for serious violations after a 23-year-old employee was killed in a tree grinder accident on his first day on the job. The agency determined the company owner directed the employee to use the machine knowing he did not have proper training. News10 (Albany, N.Y.) [with video]
Fed-OSHA issues $8,700 fine over child’s grease trap death
A Rochester, New York coffee shop where a 3-year-old boy died this summer after falling into a grease trap has been fined nearly $8,700 by Fed-OSHA. This incident happened when the child, who was with his mother at work, stepped on the loose lid of the restaurant’s grease trap, which flipped back closed so it appeared undisturbed. Employees discovered the child in the tank about nine minutes later but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Death toll rises in New Orleans hotel site collapse
Authorities last week presumed a third worker, a 63-year-old man, was killed in the Hard Rock Hotel’s partial collapse last weekend in New Orleans. Rescue crews last week were attempting to retrieve the body of that worker, whom they believe was trapped after falling from the 18-story hotel’s top floor, and the body of a 36-year-old coworker. New York Daily News
Oklahoma lawmakers to examine problem of workplace violence in healthcare
An Oklahoma Senate interim study on workplace violence and medical professionals is scheduled to meet today at the state capitol. A 2018 study by a nonprofit organization that administers voluntary accreditation programs for hospitals and healthcare organizations found workers in healthcare settings are four times more likely to be victimized than those in private industry. Duncan Banner
Study links opioid epidemic to $205 billion in excess healthcare costs over four years
An analysis by the Society of Actuaries has found the opioid crisis has cost the nation at least $631 billion over the past four years, and nearly one-third is attributable to excess healthcare spending. The analysis projects costs for the opioid crisis in 2019 will range from $172 billion to $214 billion, depending on key metrics such as prevalence of opioid use disorder and number of opioid overdose deaths this year. HealthLeaders
Residential construction’s silver bullet?
To view one way out of the labor shortages afflicting residential construction, take a drive about an hour south of Washington D.C. Builder Online