The American Society of Concrete Contractors recently issued Safety Bulletins #29 and #30, "Reducing Rear-End Collisions" and "Forklift Rules Update," respectively. The bulletins provide information for contractors to reduce costs related to rear-end collisions and remain in compliance with new forklift rules.

CNA Commercial Insurance reports that for the concrete contractors they covered, of the 4,944 commercial auto claims filed between January 1997 and December 1999, 14 percent were rear-end collisions costing $28 million. Safety Bulletin #29, "Reducing Rear-End Collisions," states that controlling the odds against rear-end accidents can improve a business' profitability. With that in mind, the bulletin lists six steps a contractor can take to reduce rear-end accidents, including reviewing an employee's Motor Vehicle Reports when he or she is hired.

New rules issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning the training of forklift operators became effective in December 1999. All construction companies are covered by these rules. Safety Bulletin #30 lists the new rules, including a more stringent one requiring operators who will be using different types of equipment to be trained on each type. An operator must be trained on any new equipment before operating it.

These Safety Bulletins are the latest in a series issued by ASCC. One copy is provided free to ASCC members as they are published. Additional copies are available for $3 to members and $6 to nonmembers. Sets of recent Safety Bulletins are available for $20 to members and $40 to nonmembers. Orders can be placed through ASCC, 800/877-2753; MasterCard and Visa are accepted.