Iron Workers spur OSHA survey on accident reduction in rebar placement

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, D.C.

OSHA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks comments on how to prevent injuries and deaths from reinforcing concrete activities in construction, and from vehicles and mobile equipment backing into workers in construction. The administration will use the comments received to learn more about how workers get injured and what solutions exist to prevent injury and death, including possible regulatory action.

Workers who use reinforcing methods to strengthen concrete face potentially life-threatening hazards including impalement; collapsed walls; and, slips, trips and falls. OSHA data indicate that more than 30 workers died while performing these activities from 2000-2009. Safety issues relating to these operations were brought to OSHA’s attention in a 2010 petition from the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron Workers and an industry coalition of stakeholders including the Concrete Steel Reinforcing Institute, the Western Steel Council, and the Center for Construction Research and Training.

Comments on this RFI must be submitted by June 2 at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal.