On a construction project, working conditions and equipment are constantly changing, the temporary ramp that was installed today may be removed tomorrow, walls will be added where they didn't exist before and renovation or rehabilitation projects will always have unexpected conditions to work around. With a number of possible hazards on a job site it has become too costly to have people injured. That includes your employees, your clients and the general public. This is why it is so important for employers to make sure that safety procedures are designed, documented and followed and to hold each construction manager or prime contractor responsible for developing and carrying out a safety plan. Each plan should be designed for a specific project site. Each construction manager or prime contractor should be responsible for enforcing the safety plan and take safety seriously. What is the cost of not promoting a safety plan?

Below are some examples of common accidents that have happened on construction and remodel job sites and the initial citation that was given by OSHA. It is important to remember these are only the fines. The cost of wage losses, medical expenses, property damage, employer costs, fire losses and other expenses related to fatal and nonfatal injuries are not included.

The fatal accident occurred when the 17-year-old pipe layer was struck by a collapsing wall of an approximately 20-foot-deep trench and suffered fatal blunt force injuries and asphyxia. No one on site had trenching and excavation training. $238,000 fine.

A carpenter apprentice was killed when he was struck in the head by a nail that was fired from a powder-actuated tool. The tool operator, while attempting to anchor a plywood form in preparation for pouring a concrete wall, fired the gun causing the nail to pass through the hollow wall. The nail traveled some twenty-seven feet before striking the victim. The tool operator had never received training in the proper use of the tool, and none of the employees in the area were wearing personal protective equipment. $550,000 fine.

Under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, L&I is required to investigate all occupational fatalities. AWISHA investigation may reveal numerous violations of safety regulations that may or may not be related to the fatality. If there is a willful violation (indicating that the employer either knew, or should have known, that the violations were occurring and did little or nothing to correct or prevent them), the employer may be assessed a penalty of $70,000 for each violation.

Company failed to instruct workers on the recognition of fall hazards and did not have a written fall prevention program. $64,500 fine.

Company failed to protect workers from potential asbestos exposure. It also failed to have a competent person conduct asbestos exposure assessments; to monitor employees for exposure to asbestos and have employees trained in Asbestos Awareness; to remove asbestos materials in a regulated area; and to exercise general supervisory authority at the project site. $167,775 fine.

Company failed to eliminate hazards associated with cranes, construction of fuel gas storage rooms, paint spray areas and flammable storage rooms, storage of oxygen cylinders, forklifts, energy control, stairs, electrical equipment and failed to provide proper personal protective equipment and eyewash facilities. $350,000 fine.

According to the National Safety Council, in America a fatal workplace injury occurs every 5 minutes and a disabling injury occurs every 1.5 seconds. Wage losses, medical expenses, property damage, employer costs, fire losses and other expenses related to fatal and nonfatal injuries cost Americans an estimated $586.3 billion in 2002. That's equal to about 57 cents of every dollar spent on food in the United States. When employees feel that their leaders don't give a hoot about them, they won't be motivated to do their best when asked to perform assigned tasks. Safety should be the main concern of supervisors and administrators. Keeping your employees safe is good business and shows your staff that you care. The cost for training and safety equipment costs less than a preventable accident. It is important to provide the equipment they need to ensure safety and the time to use it.

There are dozens of safety courses available from several organizations promoting safety, the Department of Labor and Industries, the municipality's insurance companies that want safe working conditions for employees and the Master Builders Association University to name a few. Don't have a safety program yet? Let Safety Resources Management & Consulting help you.  If you are an ABC or MBA member you receive a 10% discount on safety services.

Be aware of serious compliance issues without the price tag of federal or state fines. References Bituminous Insurance Company OHSA citations for 2002 WISHA Unfortunately there is no hiding from ergonomics. As much as we desire to burry our heads in the sand: 50,000 Washington State workers a year suffer from Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD's) and an estimated 1 million U.S. workers suffer from repetitive-motion injuries. WMSD's cost employers more than $411 million annually. One average back claim is costing Washington companies $132,000 and an average shoulder claim $100,000.

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