CSHO Saves Lives!

It just keeps coming. More and more reports of excavation/trenching hazards show up every day. I just got around to reading the latest "OSHA Quick Takes" issued on the 15th and there was an article reporting on an OSHA Inspector saving a life.

According to the report, "when a compliance safety and health officer (CSHO) from OSHA's Calumet City, Ill., Area Office arrived at a jobsite to conduct a trench inspection under the agency's national emphasis program, he observed an employee working in an unprotected 7-foot deep trench. Although the employee worked for a village public works department, the CSHO identified the hazards and the construction employer agreed to voluntarily remove the employee from the unsafe trench. As the employee began exiting the trench, the side wall collapsed and the water main the employee was working on erupted sending approximately 4 feet of water into the trench. Because OSHA had no jurisdiction, a referral was made to the State of Illinois Department of Labor for further investigation."

This is a good time to remind everyone that the ASSE in Florida is pushing for OSHA coverage for its municipal workers. Several years ago, Florida's "Division of Safety" that covered municipal workers throughout the state, was eliminated. That left municipal workers with no agency looking out for their safety. The ASSE in Florida is pushing new legislation. If you would like to read more on this topic, click here.