Under the Hard Hat

Tag: Safety

  • 140k contract led to gas explosion killing 1, injuring 7

    140k contract led to gas explosion killing 1, injuring 7

    A $140k contract to remove and relocate utility lines under a mixed-use building in Youngstown led to a May 28 fatal gas explosion that killed one and the evacuation of nearby buildings, displacing businesses and residents. That small contract, issued by the city of Youngstown to Youngstown-based GreenHeart Construction, could result in millions of dollars in damages for injuries and property losses due to the explosion.

    The blast happened after a small construction crew removed utility lines in the building’s basement and made three cuts into a gas line that was thought to be abandoned and inactive. After the third cut, the crew realized the line was still pressurized with gas and that the situation was dangerous. They alerted the building’s occupants, including residents in apartments and employees of a Chase Manhattan Bank on the first floor, to evacuate.

    One worker pulled the fire alarm, as well. But the building wasn’t fully evacuated when the blast occurred. The explosion killed Chase employee Akil Drake, 27,  and injured seven others.

    NTSB investigates explosion

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the blast and will release preliminary findings by early July. NTSB officials said the full report could take one to two years to complete.

    It’s clear that the culprit in the devastation was the still-pressurized gas line being removed in the Realty Tower’s basement. A three-man crew cut it, releasing gas and leading to the explosion shortly after.

    “The explosion apparently occurred approximately six minutes after the line was cut,” said Tom Chapman, an NTSB board member.

    Depending on the conditions on the worksite at the time of the accident, noise or dust might have prevented the workers from knowing there was a problem when the first cut was made. Also, the smell of gas might not have immediately been a warning. One former plumber said it may have taken until after the third cut for the workers to realize there was a problem.

    “Removing gas lines is a situation in which you expect to smell some gas,” said retired master plumber Jim Gerard of Plum, PA.

    Multiple parties culpable

    At this point, it is unclear who is blameworthy for the explosion. More than one party may be responsible, and even if only one party seems accountable, others will likely have to pay those who were hurt or whose businesses or properties were damaged by the explosion.

    Chapman said that the gas line that caused the explosion was a service line coming off the main line. He noted that the NTSB’s role is to determine the facts regarding the blast, not to determine negligence.

    While gas explosions of such a magnitude as the Youngstown blast are not common, Chapman said, “this is particularly catastrophic. The damage to the building is devastating.”

    NTSB video footage of the Realty Tower shows a hollowed-out structure with little remaining on the first floor. Piles of rounded rebar-studded concrete rubble top mounds of cement dust littering the floor, and a long hunk of rusty pipe sticks up like a skewed flagpole.

    It resembles a scene of devastation, as seen in war footage. But a simple few ill-placed cuts into a gas line caused it all to happen, killing Chase Manhattan Bank employee Akil Drake.

    Contractor trustworthiness in question

    The contractor involved in the work leading to the accident has a questionable history. Its reported work history at the Realty Building doesn’t include any work permit for the construction work that led to the blast.

    According to WKBN, no building permits were issued for the utility line removal work at the Realty Building. The last permit issued to contractor GreenHeart Construction for work on the building was in 2020.

    An engineer’s report issued by Youngstown Deputy Director of Public Works Chuck Shasho said the ground floor of the Realty Building collapsed in several places, along with the elevator shaft. Several of the building’s columns are now precarious, braced only by a single steel beam. The situation is so bad that it has caused the partial abandonment of downtown Youngstown. That is undoubtedly a prudent move.

    The engineer’s report recommended closing all buildings within a 210-foot radius of the Realty Building. At the time of the report’s release, some nearby buildings had already been emptied. It appears that the blast could disrupt downtown activity for months.

    Within that 210-foot radius, buildings include the Doubletree Hotel and International Towers, a residential building housing seniors. The report also recommended maintaining a hazard zone around the building until it’s braced or razed.

    According to documentation uncovered by The Youngstown Vindicator, on April 25, the Youngstown Board of Control approved a $140,133 contract with GreenHeart to remove utility lines from under the sidewalk in front of the building and relocate them in the basement. Those lines included water, electrical, gas, sprinkler lines, furnace water tanks, and data and phone lines.

    “I don’t know why they were cutting a gas line. They obviously thought it was dead,” said Charles Shasho, Youngstown’s Deputy Director of Public Works. 

    YO Properties 47 LLC, which owns the Realty Tower, issued a statement through its legal counsel, Bryan M. Ridder, stating: “YO Properties 47 LLC, in cooperation with the relevant governmental agencies, is investigating how and why this explosion happened. Pending this investigation, YO Properties 47 LLC will not be making any future public statements.”

    According to The BlueBook, GreenHeart Companies, based in Boardman, OH, is a general contractor with 20 years of experience in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company does residential and commercial construction, including malls, plazas, and freestanding single-use buildings. It has worked for Dollar Tree, Dunkin Donuts, and Stonebridge Restaurants. It also performs manufacturing and distribution facility construction, warehouses, apartment buildings, hotels, hospitals, and assisted care facilities.

    First lawsuit filed

    Drake’s family has filed a lawsuit over his death. One of their attorneys, Ben Whitman of Clark Fountain law firm in Florida, said other claims resulting from the catastrophe, such as injury and property claims, do exist. He wouldn’t speculate on how large a settlement might occur if his clients win the lawsuit, saying you can’t put a price on a human life.

    “Our understanding is that [Akil] was trapped and passed away,” Whitman said.

    Clark Fountain attorneys Don Fountain, Julie H. Littky-Rubin, and Ben Whitman filed the suit on behalf of some of Drake’s family, including Traesha Pritchard, Drake’s sister. She said in a statement, “Our family is devastated by Akil’s death. He was a wonderful son, brother, boyfriend, and community member who was innocently doing his job when this preventable tragedy took him from us.”

    The lawsuit was also filed on behalf of Sharnette Crite-Evans, Drake’s mother.

    The suit has many defendants, including but not limited to YO Properties 47, LLC, LY Property Management LLC, of Youngstown; GreenHeart Companies LLC, of Boardman, OH; the East Ohio Gas Company, of Cleveland; Enbridge Elephant Holdings, of Houston; Enbridge Alternative Fuel, of Columbus, OH; Dominion Energy Incorporated, of Richmond, and others.

    GreenHeart did not return requests for comments on this story. YO Properties 47, LLC also didn’t respond to requests for comment. LY Property Management declined to comment.

    Mathew Stoddard, a personal injury attorney based in Atlanta, said the costs of this and other lawsuits could be significant.

    “When there’s a natural gas explosion, the results tend to be catastrophic…We had a client who was injured in that way and died several months later,” said Stoddard. “Natural gas is an extremely dangerous product that’s highly explosive.”

  • Fern Hollow Bridge lawsuits target Pittsburgh and three engineering firms

    Fern Hollow Bridge lawsuits target Pittsburgh and three engineering firms

    A dentist, former bus drivers, and other survivors of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse are suing the city of Pittsburgh and three prominent engineering firms for negligence. The suits claim the four parties are responsible for not fixing decades-long issues with the bridge, which collapsed on January 28, 2022.

    Lawsuits claim incompetence

    Former Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus driver Daryl Luciani and his spouse are two of several plaintiffs involved in these lawsuits. They were filed on behalf of nine plaintiffs who named the city of Pittsburg and its consultants and engineering firms Larson Design Group, Gannett Fleming Inc., and CDM Smith Inc. defendants.

    Dr. Clinton Runco, a dentist traveling on the bridge when it collapsed, is also suing the city with his wife Irene (who was not present at the collapse). Runco was on his way to work when the bridge collapsed and plunged his car into the chasm, where it hit the hillside beneath the bridge and rolled before stopping. He broke his neck, sternum, and several of his ribs in the accident.

    Runco’s attorney, Jason Matzus, said the evidence in this case is clear.

    “The engineering companies’ incompetence, coupled with the city’s inaction, created a recipe for disaster. Collectively, over 15-plus years, the defendants watched the Fern Hollow Bridge rot, crumble, and deteriorate until the inevitable happened—it collapsed,” Matzus said.

    When contacted for comment on the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh’s mayor said the city had no comment due to pending litigation.

    Engineering powerhouses under fire

    Larson Design Group, Gannett Fleming Inc., and CDM Smith did not return calls for comment on this story. The three firms are well-known in the construction world and collectively have over 200 years of corporate history. Given their history and reputation, their involvement in this matter is shocking.

    CDM Smith is a 75-year-old Boston-based firm with 5,000 employees. In 2023, the company had $1.3 billion in revenue.

    Larson Design Group is a Williamsport, PA-based firm that has repeatedly been ranked among the nation’s top 300 design firms. The company had $75 million in revenue in 2022.

    Founded in 1915, Gannett Fleming employs about 1,900 people and had revenues of $483 million last year.

    Matzus said that the defendants’ failure to fix the bridge before it collapsed on its own put thousands of people’s lives in jeopardy for many years.

    “You’re talking about national and international engineering firms… They promise the best service, but Fern Hollow Bridge is a damning indictment of that,” Matzus said. “It’s appalling to think that professionals who were well paid did their work so poorly and with such a disregard for public safety.”

    Municipal cap on damages

    When these lawsuits are settled, the engineering firms may hold the compensatory bag for a collapse that was arguably primarily Pittsburgh officials’ fault. Due to a Pennsylvania statute, plaintiffs in this collapse, if they win, can only receive $500,000 in total damages, meaning all plaintiffs would receive a share of that total amount.

    Such a statute is meant to protect cities and municipalities from insolvency resulting from lawsuits. But it also shields incompetent public officials from paying heavily for near-fatal mistakes, Runco said.

    “That $500,000 cap incentivizes carelessness and disregard… These organizations [like the city of Pittsburgh] are capable of buying insurance to manage their risk,” Matzus said.

    How much of a payout can taxpayers expect these plaintiffs to get? Matzus said that it was at least in the millions of dollars for the compensatory verdict part of the case. Punitive damages also could be awarded, he added.

  • Fire safety for construction sites

    Fire safety for construction sites

    Fire prevention is one of the most important factors in job site safety. Proper training, in-place fire procedures, and situational awareness are key strategies for reducing and preventing fires on construction sites. 

    Liberty bridge fire

    While under rehabilitation, the fire at Liberty Bridge in 2016 prompted an investigation that closed the project for 24 days. Not only did it create headaches for contractors, but it also created hassles for commuters. 

    The blaze started when sparks from a welder’s torch ignited plastic tubing [and tarps on and beneath the bridge. Post-investigation, officials said the bridge was moments from collapsing before the fire was contained. 

    The lesson: Though no injuries resulted from the fire, it could have easily been prevented had workers implemented a fire safety plan. 

    Fire safety plans can prevent flames

    In a case like the Liberty Bridge fire, having the right fire safety plan—including more than one plan of action if a fire occurs—could have prevented the blaze. Greater situational awareness could also have prevented the blaze. For example, if workers had taken notice of flammable material in an area where torches were used, the fire could have been avoided.

    When it comes to fire safety, planning is critical.

    Proper safety planning and environmental awareness among workers can prevent on-site fires. Even when they can’t, having the correct procedures will save lives.

    Here are some of our top tips for preventing job site fires. 

    6 tips for work site fire safety and prevention

    1. Implement fire prevention training

    Every person on a job site should be trained in the codes, regulations, standards, and best practices of having a solid fire prevention plan. The National Fire Protection Association’s 241 standard helps safeguard construction and demolition work from fire.

    2. Include fire prevention in safety meetings

    Safety meetings should include fire safety as well as machine safety. Identify work areas more prone to fire and devise fire prevention plans in the event a fire breaks out. 

    Remind workers of fire hazards and have safety devices like fire extinguishers readily accessible. Workers should also be encouraged to speak up about potential fire hazards seen in the workplace.

    3. Set fire procedures

    Devise multiple fire evacuation routes in the event of a fire. Have a plan of action for notifying authorities and set a worker chain of command to follow during an onsite fire.

    4. Teach workers situational awareness

    Remind workers they are crucial to preventing fires. Teach them to stop, look around, listen, and smell throughout their shift. 

    Being aware of your surroundings is vital to preventing accidents. Heightened awareness means they won’t miss any environmental clues that a fire has started or could be about to start.

    5. Use technology to prevent or stop fires

    Almost all workers have cell phones that can be used to take photos when a fire hazard is spotted. It’s then their duty to inform management. Technology is also critical to a fire safety plan—mainly to notify authorities and co-workers. 

    6. Learn from mistakes

    Fires of all sizes happen on worksites, but most are caught before extensive damage. Learning from mistakes is key to preventing future issues. 

    Mistakes caught in time are excellent teaching moments for employees to evaluate the situation and what could have been done differently—what was done wrong, what was done right, and how the blaze might have been prevented. Analyzing failures can devise better procedures.

    Wrapping up

    Fire prevention on a construction site involves proper training and devising preventative measures to avoid fires, including properly staging materials. It means teaching workers to spot fire hazards before they happen and report them when they see them. It also involves planning to respond safely to fire emergencies and teaching workers how to respond appropriately.

  • OSHA rule change on employee representation is effective May 31

    OSHA rule change on employee representation is effective May 31

    Despite pushback from contractors and industry groups, a proposed change to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations governing employee representation during a walkthrough investigation will take effect on May 31. OSHA’s Final Rule clarifies that third-party, non-employees may accompany the OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) during the walkthrough inspection of a workplace.

    What the rule change means

    As background, OSHA currently allows employees to have a representative present during a workplace walkthrough inspection. In most cases, the representative is an employee, but the proposed change would enable a non-employee to act as the employee’s representative. 

    OSHA’s current employee representation regulation states that an employee representative “shall be an employee(s) of the employer.” 29 CFR 1908(c). But in certain cases, it also allowed for participation of a “third party who is not an employee of the employer (such as an industrial hygienist or a safety engineer)” if that person was “reasonably necessary.” 29 CFR 1908(c).

    The new rule change will allow workers to choose any person they might designate for the task of representing them during OSHA walkthrough inspections on a job site. It states that “the representative(s) authorized by the employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party.” 89 Fed. Reg. 22601. It then limits third-party representation to instances where “good cause has been shown why accompaniment by a third party is reasonably necessary to the conduct of an effective and thorough physician inspection of the workplace.” 89 Fed. Reg. 22601. 

    Put simply, the new provision clarifies “that the representative(s) authorized by employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party.” 89 Fed. Reg. 22558.  

    Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the rule change is that it allows an employee to choose a non-employee of the company as their representative, including a union representative or even a community organizer. The regulation also doesn’t stipulate that the rep must have any construction experience to act as a representative.

    Critics of the rule change say allowing persons unrelated to a construction site onto it creates a liability risk for the contractor and project owner.

    The previous version of the rule stipulated that an employee representative should be an employee of the employer. Under the new rule, even union officials can glean valuable information on nonunion shops and potentially ramp up organizing efforts there while acting as an employee representative.

    An argument with two sides

    There is something to be said on each side of this argument, for and against a nonemployee rep representing a worker. 

    Workers need to feel safe to tell the truth about incidents and accidents, and unsafe practices on a worksite. If the employee rep in an OSHA walkthrough must be a fellow employee, it limits the pool of potential reps. It may also invite the opportunity for employees to collude to cover the truth of a matter being investigated by OSHA.

    But nonunion shop contractors have rights, too. One of their rights is not to allow any person onto a construction site being built for a third party. Nonunion contractors also have the right to keep union organizers off of their worksites.

    Employers will be able to contest a rep

    Despite what may seem a true rigidity in this rule change, employers might have options to contest a nonemployee representing an employee in a walkthrough—at least on a case-by-case basis.

    OSHA must demonstrate that the non-employee representative is “reasonably necessary to the conduct of an effective and thorough inspection of the workplace.” If a nonemployee representative deviates from their role by encouraging unionization during the inspection or through other actions, OSHA regulations require that they be removed.

    Regardless of where they are from, the employee representative can only conduct employee interviews if invited to do so by the employee being represented. According to the regulation, they should also not be involved in any document production or review; they are only allowed to be involved in the walkthrough inspection.

    Trouble on the horizon?

    AGC fired a shot at OSHA regarding this rule change before approval, which could signal future trouble.

    AGC said in a statement that conflicts of interest could result from allowing a union representative into a nonunion workplace, including “increased liability exposure to the employer that is the subject of the inspection, and the fact that OSHA lacks the constitutional authority to make such a sweeping, controversial revision to the existing regulations. If OSHA decides to move forward with the proposed changes, AGC will explore all options to block the final rule.”

  • Work paused after piece of metal falls at Boston worksite

    Work paused after piece of metal falls at Boston worksite

    Work on a condo tower being erected at Boston’s South Station was halted for less than a week after a steel concrete form fell and smashed windows on the structure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating but hasn’t released its findings yet.

    Suffolk Construction Company has been contracted for a 51-story mixed-use project that includes office, residential, and parking spaces. The tower is being built directly above Metro Boston Transit Authority’s South Station rail and bus terminal.

    The large piece of steel fell more than 20 stories before becoming lodged in the South Station commuter rail platform roof. No injuries were reported.

    Suffolk Construction announced that it had agreed to halt work on the project while investigators investigated the matter. Work resumed six days after the steel fell. It is still unclear what caused the steel, which was described in some reports as a steel concrete form, to fall, damage the building, and lodge itself into the roof of the MBTA South Station.

    Falling objects are common in construction

    While workers and commuters navigating Boston’s South Station construction site dodged a bullet when a large piece of steel recently fell from the under-construction tower, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence on construction sites.

    Falling objects are common. Although not always fatal, OSHA noted that some incidents do lead to fatalities. 

    The reason: Lack of proper worker training, incorrect use of tools or equipment, and malfunctioning equipment are sometimes the causes of these dropped objects.

    Other reasons for potentially deadly drops of materials include:

    1. Improperly securing tools

    2. Wrongly stacking tools, equipment, or materials

    3. Inadequately securing loads on a boom, crane, or hoist

    4. Not using safety devices designed to stop falling debris and objects

    5. Operating in poor working conditions (especially wind)

    Tips to reduce injury from falling objects

    To lower the chance of injury from falling objects, there are a few steps workers can take.

    1. Always wear PPE, including helmets, goggles, and hard-toe boots

    2. Never walk or stand under heavy equipment, such as beneath a front loader, hoist, or crane, particularly when it’s loaded

    3. Use the proper safety equipment for the job you are doing

    4. Never stack materials or objects too high

    5. Inspect equipment and tools before using them

    6. Never use faulty equipment or tools

    7. Secure tools and equipment properly when the workday is over

    8. Block off areas where fall hazards may exist

    9. Inspect PPE before using it to confirm it meets manufacturers’ recommendations

    10. Keep all material a minimum of 3 feet from a leading edge

  • ESA Powerline Safety Week is approaching

    ESA Powerline Safety Week is approaching

    May 13-18 is Powerline Safety Week. Join electrical companies across the nation in the Electrical Safety Authority’s (ESA) annual campaign to promote safety and awareness of the dangers of overhead powerlines. Be aware of the associated risks and avoid fatal distractions by following three critical steps: Stop, Look, and Live.

    With Powerline Safety Week approaching, electrical companies are urging people to practice safety around powerlines. Typical voltages traveling through long-distance transmissions range from 155,000 to 765,000 volts. While no specific voltage can kill or severely injure an individual, electrical currents aren’t something most people want to play with.

    According to ESA data, there were nearly 19 fatalities and 1,393 overhead powerline contacts in Ontario between 2012 and 2021—60% of which occurred in the construction industry, with eight registered fatalities.

    “The consequences of making contact with a powerline can be instantly fatal or physically devastating,” says Patience Cathcart, Director of Data Science and Public Safety Officer for the ESA. “It is crucial to know where powerlines are when you’re working, whether that’s at a job site or doing work around your house. We urge Ontarians to take precautions to ensure their well-being when working in the vicinity of powerlines.”

    To help prevent powerline accidents, ESA has launched a campaign to raise awareness among at-risk workers and the public about the dangers of powerlines. The campaign uses everyday objects like ladders and basketball hoops to help people conceptualize a safe distance from overhead and downed powerlines. 

    A recent ESA survey of trade workers raised some red flags for powerline safety:

    • Only 18% of respondents correctly identified the safe distance to stay back from overhead powerlines
    • Only 26% correctly identified the limit of approach for downed powerlines
    • 70% think it’s okay to touch a powerline with an orange cover-up

    Despite these risks, 45% of survey respondents said they don’t receive regular training on powerline safety. According to ESA, this points to “a significant gap between awareness and education in this crucial area.”

    The haulage industry, aerial lifts, and excavators are the biggest contributors to the accident figures. So, ahead of Powerline Safety Week, the ESA is offering the following tips for construction workers to avoid run-ins with powerlines.

    8 powerline safety tips for Ontario construction workers

    1. Do not begin any work until you’ve identified all the powerlines around you. Knowing where the powerlines are is the first step to avoiding them.

    2. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 3 meters from overhead powerlines. You don’t have to touch a powerline to get a deadly shock. Electricity can jump or “arc” to you or your tools if you get too close. Have someone watch to ensure you stay at least 3 meters away from powerlines—about the length of a 10-step ladder.

    3. An orange coverup does NOT make a powerline safe to touch. A brightly colored coverup helps make the powerline more visible—it does not make it less dangerous. You can still get a deadly shock if you touch it or get too close.

    4. Before you begin any excavation work, contact your local utility or call Ontario One Call. Ask for a cable locate for all utility-owned underground infrastructure. Privately-owned underground powerlines need a private locate. 

    5. You must have a competent, dedicated signaller to support drivers of dump trucks and other high-reach vehicles. This ensures that the equipment doesn’t come within 3 meters of overhead powerlines. 

    6. Ensure that dump trucks on site lower the box after dropping off a load. It’s good practice to install a “raised box” indicator in the truck to remind the driver when the box is raised. 

    7. Stay alert! Incidents often happen at the end of the day, when workers are tired or rushing to finish a job. 
    8. If wires fall on the truck or the ground, always assume they are still energized. Stay in the vehicle, call 911, and keep everyone 10 meters back. Only the local utility worker on-site can confirm when the power is off and tell you when it’s safe to exit the vehicle.

  • Fall safety violators targeted by OSHA

    Fall safety violators targeted by OSHA

    OSHA has recently cracked down on fall safety violators, with penalties reaching high into the hundreds of thousands. Across the country, OSHA is taking contractors to task over fall safety—and sometimes even forcing compliance. 

    While it might seem like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is fining contractors for violations that are questionable, there’s ample evidence to suggest the opposite. Unfortunately, the all-too-frequent fall safety violations in the construction industry generally result from employee deaths on the job. 

    Here are three examples of recent fall safety violations put forth by OSHA. 

    FL roofers fined $174,000  

    The OSHA fined two roofing contractors in Fort Lauderdale, FL, working on a Davie site, a total of $174,000 in proposed fines.  

    Roofing subcontractor AIA Roofing Contractor was fined $163,000 in proposed fines for three serious violations, including:  

    • Working without fall protection on pitched roofs at heights up to 32 feet 
    • A worker using a broken harness 
    • Workers not being trained in how to recognize and prevent falls 

    The primary roofing contractor on the job was Paul Bange Roofing, which was cited for one serious violation with $10,938 in proposed penalties. OSHA’s investigation found that Paul Bange Roofing hadn’t conducted regular inspections of the worksite, as required, to prevent AIA’s workers from being exposed to fall hazards. 

    “Our inspectors found the primary contractor and the subcontractor at a Davie work site failing to protect workers from the risks of falls from elevation, the construction industry’s leading cause of death,” said Condell Eastmond, OSHA Area Office Director in Fort Lauderdale. Fall dangers are widely known in the roofing industry as one of the things that employers must protect employees from. “Neither AIA Roofing nor Paul Bange Roofing have a valid excuse for putting their workers in jeopardy.”. 

    Nearly one in five workplace deaths occurred in construction in 2021—a third of which were related to falls, trips and slips, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics. 

    Updated OSHA fall safety regulations requiring fall restraint systems and the like have been on the books for many years, making contractors who openly flout such laws easy prey for investigators hoping to ensure safety on worksites. Even the smallest infractions can cause an OSHA investigator to linger and possibly impose penalties, and large red flag issues are liable to prompt a harsh response from safety officials. 

    Flouting fall safety laws could cost an otherwise picture-perfect contractor hassles in time, money, legal battles, and a damaged reputation. Still, some must learn the hard way. 

    Consent order for a repeat offender 

    The Department of Labor recently obtained a consent injunction against a repeat offender in New York. The injunction ordered a Rockland County roofing contractor and its owner to provide employees with fall protection equipment and ensure it is being used at all company worksites, as federal law requires.  

    The order found that ALJ Home Improvement Inc. has been exposing workers to imminent danger of death or serious injury by allowing them to do roofing work without fall protection. The injunction is the most recent OSHA action against the contractor. Since 2019, ALJ Home Improvement has been cited repeatedly for fall safety violations. The citations were issued after a company employee suffered a fatal fall in 2019 and also in 2022. 

    In May, ALJ and its owner, Jose Lema, signed a settlement agreement with OSHA to resolve and affirm willful citations issued in 2021. The agreement includes providing better ways to correct and prevent fall hazards. 

    The injunction requires ALJ and Lema to comply with the enhanced abatement provisions of the settlement agreement. Those provisions include: 

    • Notifying OSHA of future company job sites. 
    • Providing all supervisors with OSHA 30-hour safety training. 
    • Hiring a safety consultant to develop safety and health programs and to conduct worksite inspections. 

    IF ALJ and Lema don’t comply with the agreement, the Department of Labor, of which OSHA is a part,  could file a contempt motion in federal court. 

    In a separate legal action in July, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York filed criminal charges against Jose Lema related to the 2022 worker fatality. 

    The injunction is a sort of insurance policy for the Department of Labor. 

    “These settlement terms provide extra assurance of compliance, enforceable via contempt in district court, given this employer’s history, and underscore the Department of Labor’s commitment to effective and appropriate legal actions to help ensure that employers correct violations and take substantive steps to prevent them from recurring,” said Jeffrey S. Rogoff, Regional Solicitor of Labor in New York. 

    If nearly $174,000 in fines for two contractors and a court injunction and criminal prosecution of another contractor are not enough to convince the doubtful that OSHA officials are dead serious about enforcing fall safety laws and will leave no girder unturned to do it, imagine being slapped with proposed fines totaling more than a half a million dollars.  

    OSHA fines contractor $522,000 

    The law will come after fall safety scofflaws working in construction with all tools at their disposal, and it’s doing so in the case of another contractor investigated for safety failures that allegedly led to a worker’s fatal fall. 

    OSHA announced in November that an investigation recently found a Huntington, NY, contractor could have prevented a worker’s fatal fall at a Glen Cove worksite in April 2023 if the company had followed legally required safeguards to prevent falls. 

    The fatal accident happened when a crew was installing metal decking on a flat industrial roof, and a worker fell through an opening to a concrete floor 20 feet below. OSHA’s investigation determined contractor Elite Roofing Inc. did not provide the employees working on the roof with protection against fall hazards, such as guard rails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, positioning devices, or fall restraint systems.  

    OSHA determined that Elite Roofing Inc. also failed to train employees to recognize and mitigate fall hazards before performing steel erection work, which falls under OSHA’s steel erection standard. 

    OSHA issued the contractor six willful violations for fall hazards, one violation per exposed worker, and one serious violation for not training the workers. OSHA has proposed $522,527 in penalties for the violations. The high fines appear related to the fact that OSHA officials found the contractor’s conduct to be willful, if not brazen. 

    “Despite knowing the risks from falls and the responsibility to safeguard its employees against them, Elite Roofing Services Inc. chose to disregard the law and the safety of its workers,” said Kevin Sullivan, OSHA’s Area Director in Westbury, Long Island. 

  • Emerging risks outlined in survey

    Emerging risks outlined in survey

    An ongoing research program of global risk management consulting firm HKA found that overruns, time extensions, and other costly problems are preventable. Plus, two-thirds of projects requiring a schedule time extension did so for reasons that could have been prevented.

    Disputed costs accounted for more than a third of the $2.27M in projects that were analyzed by the CRUX program. Clashes that resulted from contract interpretation were a factor leading to time extensions in 19.8% of the projects analyzed. 

    Tellingly, about the same amount (19.5%) of projects that were analyzed were hampered in their operation by poor management or administration of contracts or were bogged down by interaction with subcontractors or suppliers. 

    How do you prevent time extensions?  

    Experts suggest smarter business practices by companies in architectural engineering and construction could close this gap in accountability that leads to change orders, overruns, or adding time to a project schedule. 

    “Modern megaprojects are increasingly complex, but the cruel conundrum for the global construction and engineering industry is that those most common causes of claims and disputes are highly predictable and largely within the control of the contracting parties,” said Renny Borhan, Partner and CEO of HKA. 

    The study by HKA found a wide variation in problems with contracts worldwide: 

    • Deficiencies in design and workmanship plague AEC companies in Europe and the Americas. 
    • Incorrect design was top of the European ranking, amounting to the disruption of about one in three projects (32.3%). That problem ranked second in the Americas, where more than one in five projects were affected (20.4%). 

    Highlights from the study include:

    • A recent increase in rail disputes is explained to a large degree by deficient planning and coordination.
    • Changing scope of the project contributed to more than half (57.1%) of the disputes analyzed worldwide. 
    • An incomplete design was a factor in more than a third (40.3%) of the projects. 
    • Offshore wind projects are much more likely to be blown off course by changes in scope (45%) than other renewables or non-energy-sector projects. 
    • All-risk engineering, procurement, and construction projects may not be as sure as they seem to some.  

    Additionally, the study found that nearly one in five projects (18.8%) worldwide are affected by conflicts over unforeseen physical conditions on the site. This is the second-most-common pitfall in the Americas, according to the report. Deficient workmanship was also a more significant problem in Europe and the Americas as compared to other regions, affecting 23.2% and 20.3% of projects, respectively. 

    Buildings and transportation infrastructure projects faced claims for longer time extensions than other sectors, the report concludes, averaging 76.7% and 70%, respectively, of planned duration. 

    Want to learn more? Read the full 2023 report from HKA.

  • Blackline Safety Corp wins $2.7 million job with U.S. energy provider

    Blackline Safety Corp wins $2.7 million job with U.S. energy provider

    Blackline Safety Corp. recently won a $2.7 million, four-year contract with a large upstream energy company based in Houston, Texas. The Calgary-based provider of connected safety technology will provide 800 G7c cloud-connected wearable safety devices, 40 EXO cloud-connected area monitors, and 75 G7 docks.

    The new contract marks the shift away from a tech product the company has used for the last three decades.

    The move is expected to enhance employees’ safety, particularly those employees working alone, by delivering consistent, reliable cellular coverage across a wide territory. Blackline’s features—including SOS latch, fall and no motion detection, push-to-talk, and real-time connectivity—sold the new energy sector client on the partnership.

    “The customer evaluated Blackline’s connected safety devices in comparison to products from their long-term supplier,” said Sean Stinson, President and Chief Growth Officer, Blackline Safety. “It took less than a week for G7c to stand out for its broad connectivity range, and the ability to see where their lone workers might be in imminent danger so they can make sure their people are safe.”

    The energy company was also keen on the EXO area monitor’s ability to monitor rigs, tank batteries, and well sites during repair and maintenance operations. “With no power, Wi-Fi, or infrastructure requirements, EXO’s drop-and-go setup is exactly what they were looking for,” Stinson said. 

    Blackline’s G7 personal gas detectors and EXO area gas monitors are built for extreme conditions and, with location-enabled technology, provide a critical lifeline—anytime. G7 Dock is Blackline’s simple solution to calibrating, bump testing, and charging G7 devices, which doesn’t require complicated ethernet or Wi-Fi connections.

    “Blackline products set the standard for the safest lone worker solution on the market,” said Stinson. 

    This contract provides protection for more than 800 workers and represents the current need for reliable safety solutions for lone workers, such as gas detection and area monitoring.

  • 8 best women’s work boots 2024

    8 best women’s work boots 2024

    Timberland PRO Women’s Direct Attach 6’’ Steel-Toe Waterproof Work Boot takes the top spot for the best steel-toe work boot for women, but Double H Women’s Haddie 11″ Comp Toe, Wolverine Women’s Floorhand Steel-Toe Nylon Mesh Lining Work Boot, and Ad Tec Women’s Work Boots 9’’ Steel Toe Logger also rank as the best women’s work boots. 

    Whether on a construction site, behind the wheel of heavy equipment, or wearing a safety vest, finding the right pair of work boots is key to staying comfortable and safe. Compared to “everyday” boots, women’s work boots are designed to offer more protection. They have a higher shaft to shield and support the ankle, a slip-resistant rubber sole to prevent injuries, and a reinforced toe for additional safety. 

    But proper footwear isn’t just about comfort and style—it’s also about foot health, safety, and productivity. When looking for properly fitting women’s safety work boots, it’s important to fit both length and width to optimize comfort and fit.

    8 best safety work boots for women

    1. Best steel-toe boot: Timberland PRO Women’s Direct Attach 6’’ Steel-Toe Waterproof Work Boot

    Timberland Women's Direct Attach 6" Steel Toe Waterproof Work Boot

    Sizes: 5.5-10 (available in half sizes), 11

    Width: Medium and wide

    Materials: Nubuck leather, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Steel toe

    ASTM rating: F2412-18a and ASTM F2413-18 I and C impact and compression safety standards and CAN/CSA-Z195-14 Grade 1

    If you’re after the classic yellow Timberland boot but need it to comply with safety regulations, the Timberland PRO Women’s Direct Attach steel toe work boot is the next best option. It’s built for optimal fit and comfort, is waterproof, and features 200 grams of insulation to ensure your feet stay warm and dry in cold-weather environments.

    These boots are made with Timberland® seam-sealed, waterproof leather, are steel-toe, and have heat-, oil-, slip-, and abrasion-resistant rubber soles for maximum traction. They also have added electrical hazard protection and Anti-Fatigue Technology polyurethane footbeds for ultimate daily comfort and protection. 

    2. Best steel-toe runner-up: Caterpillar Footwear Women’s Echo Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boots

    Caterpillar Footwear Women’s Echo Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boots

    Sizes: 5-10 (available in half sizes), 11

    Width: Medium and wide

    Materials: Nubuck leather, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Steel toe

    ASTM rating: Steel toe (ASTM F2413-18); Electrical hazard protection (ASTM F2413-18)

    CAT’s Women’s Echo waterproof steel-toe boot is made to perform under the toughest construction conditions. Designed specifically for a women’s fit using CAT Footwear’s patented iTechnology™, these work boots are the perfect combination of durability and athletic comfort. Featuring a tall silhouette and plenty of color options, they’re perfect for women in physical jobs who want comfortable yet stylish work boots. 

    To ensure job site safety, the CAT Echo boots are reinforced with a steel toe to protect against impact or compression. They are also electrical hazard-protected for maximum safety. They also feature a slip-resistant rubber outsole that is abrasion-resistant, performs against oil and water, and provides optimal grip on low-traction surfaces.

    3. Best cowboy-style boot: Double H Women’s Haddie 11″ Comp Toe

    Double H Women's Haddie 11" Comp Toe

    Sizes: 6-10 (available in half sizes)

    Width: Medium

    Materials: Leather, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Composite toe

    ASTM rating: Composite toe (ASTM I-75/C-75), slip resistance (ASTM F1677), 

    Double H Women’s Haddie comp toe boots are where comfort and style meet durability, functionality, and strength. The bold western look is enhanced by a sturdy boot with an oil-resistant sole. This work boot features Flex II composite and a wide square toe with an 11” upper for maximum protection. 

    The boot features a non-metallic lightweight shank and composite safety toe that meet safety standards for Electrical Hazards and oil- and slip-resistant soles for maximum traction and safety on the job.

    4. Best lightweight boot: Wolverine Women’s Floorhand Steel-Toe Nylon Mesh Lining Work Boot

    Wolverine Women’s Floorhand Steel-Toe Nylon Mesh Lining Work Boot

    Sizes: 5-10 (available in half sizes), 11

    Width: Medium and wide

    Materials: Full-grain leather, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Steel toe

    ASTM rating: Steel toe (ASTM F2413-18 F/I/C EH)

    Steel-toe work boots aren’t known to be exceptionally lightweight, but the Wolverine Women’s Floorhand Steel-Toe work boot seems lighter than its competitors. While the steel caps protect your feet on the job, the boots feature a removable cushioned anti-fatigue footbed and a moisture-wicking nylon mesh lining to keep your feet comfortable, dry, and cool, even after a long day on the job.

    You may want to look elsewhere if you’re looking for a stylish work boot. This Wolverine steel-toe boot has a no-frills design—a traditional lace-up closure, waterproof leather upper, and rubber outsoles for maximum traction on challenging surfaces. Put simply, it’s a great option for first-time steel-toe wearers or those looking for a simple, functional, and durable work boot that won’t break the bank. 

    5. Best rubber boot: LaCrosse Women’s Alpha Thermal 14″ Rubber Work Boot

    LaCrosse Women's Alpha Thermal 14" Rubber Work Boot

    Sizes: 5-11 (not available in half sizes)

    Width: Medium

    Materials: Neoprene, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: None

    ASTM rating: Electrical hazard certified

    Navigating the demands of the outdoors, especially during colder months, requires a pair of work boots that can withstand negative temperatures and rugged conditions. LaCrosse Women’s Alphas stand up to the challenge. They’re the ultimate rubber work boot for women with 7mm of insulating neoprene and a plush fleece lining to keep your feet toasty in the coldest conditions—snow, slush, sleet, ice.’

    The Alpha Thermals are easy to put on and off. They feature an Antarctic outsole for superior grip on any terrain and premium natural rubber over the insulating neoprene for durability, flexibility, and total waterproof protection.

    If steel-toe boots aren’t a must for your job, these boots are the winter warriors you’ve been looking for. 

    6. Best Wellington boot: Carhartt Women’s CWP1250 Work Boot

    Carhartt Women's CWP1250 Work Boot

    Sizes: 6-10 (available in half sizes), 11

    Width: Medium

    Materials: Leather, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Steel toe

    ASTM rating: Electrical (ASTM 2413-18 EH standards), steel toe (ASTM 2413-18)

    When it comes to style and functionality, the rugged 10-inch Carhartt Wellington steel toe work boot takes the cake. It’s a breathable, comfortable, waterproof boot with a slip-on design—no tedious laces or zippers. The shaft measures just over 10 inches, making this boot ideal for working outdoors without worrying about mud, water, or dirt.

    Its steel toe and Goodyear welt construction provide the same level of impact protection as other steel-toe boots. Its slip-resistant rubber outsoles repel mud and provide maximum grip on slippery terrain. The boot is also designed with a waterproof membrane and a sweat-wicking liner to keep feet warm, dry, and protected in all weather conditions.

    7. Best alloy toe boot: Danner Women’s Quarry USA-Made Alloy Toe WP Work Boot

    Danner Women's Quarry USA-Made Alloy Toe WP Work Boot

    Sizes: 5-10 (available in half sizes), 11

    Width: Medium

    Materials: Leather, Vibram® oil- and slip-resistant rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Alloy toe

    ASTM rating: ASTM F2413-18 I/75 C/75 EH

    Danner Women’s Quarry USA-made work boots are a true testament to craftsmanship and durability. Featuring a full-grain leather upper for maximum strength, a GORE-TEX liner for complete waterproof protection, and an alloy toe meeting ASTM standards, these boots are the ultimate in safety and comfort.

    Danner’s boots are triple-stitched and feature electrical hazard protection to tackle the toughest challenges. Plus, the Vibram® Quarry outsole ensures maximum traction. For the modern working woman, these are a solid investment.

    8. Best steel-toe logger: Ad Tec Women’s Work Boots 9’’ Steel Toe Logger

    Ad Tec Women’s Work Boots 9’’ Steel Toe Logger

    Sizes: 6-10 (available in half sizes), 11

    Width: Medium

    Materials: Leather, rubber sole

    Toe reinforcement: Steel toe

    ASTM rating: ANSI/ASTM I75 & C75

    Ad Tec Womne’s Steel Toe Loggers are rugged and ready to work. They’re ultra-durable work boots featuring a rubber slip-resistant outsole for traction and water-resistant, oil-tanned crazy horse leather to protect from the elements.

    The steel toe and Goodyear welt construction also protect your feet. These boots are purposeful yet comfortable and are one of our favorites for an affordable women’s work boot.