2 Contractors Cited in Mississippi - $175,000

Yesterday, OSHA reported that it had cited two contractors in Mississippi following the collapse of a wood shoring system. Significantly, OSHA has proposed two willful and five serious violations to the general contractor. The willful violations were the result of the contractor failing to adequately brace the structure. And, as you know, willful means that the contractor knew better. Plain indifference on the part of a contractor is nothing new to any of us.

More importantly, however, concrete subcontractor was cited for three serious violations, "for failure to provide a written hazard communication program, a safety and health program, and fall protection training." The proposed penalty was a mere $2,000. Is that penalty enough to get the contractor's attention? Perhaps - perhaps not. But it brings up a very important point that most of we safety professionals already know; large numbers of subcontractors (most in the residential marketplace) don't know that they must follow safety rules - or don't care. Training? Not they!

Yesterday, I was on a jobsite where painters were using aerial lifts to paint 2nd and 3rd levels on the exterior of a building. Surprisingly, they were all wearing harnesses. Upon closer inspection, however, none of them had lanyards. There employer had been told that workers using aerial lifts must have harnesses, so he gave them harnesses. NO TRAINING!

There are two things that employers can do to significantly reduce accidents on the job: (1) Train workers in hazard recognition, and avoidance; (2) make sure that all workers understand that they will not be penalized for telling their employer about safety hazards and asking for corrective action before they are exposed to the hazard. Yes, I know, it's a cultural change!

Over the years, I have come to realize that the single most important function of a safety professional is the education and training of workers. Not just in the classroom, but in the field - one-on-one explaining why you just told that guy to get off the top step of a step ladder, or why tying off to a guardrail is hazardous.