Cave-ins and Cold Weather Highlight Need for OSHA 10, OSHA 30

Cave-in during excavation. It’s been said many times in many different forums—including at OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 training—that it’s easily preventable. But tragically it remains the leading cause of worker deaths in the United States.

At a Wisconsin excavation site no deaths occurred, but serious violations were committed by a Manitowoc utility contractor to merit citations from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The contractor, the Vinton Construction Co., was cited for one willful and four serious safety violations for failing to protect workers from possible cave-ins while installing water main lines. OSHA has proposed penalties of $95,040. Vinton Construction Co. had been inspected at other times before by OSHA and had been found in violation of trenching and excavation standards.

"Safety should be paramount on every job site,” said George Yoksas, OSHA area director in Milwaukee.  “And OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so."

And now that the cold months are setting in, the old dangers of extreme cold weather are making regular construction work more than ordinary in terms of construction hazards. OSHA and agencies such as CDC have again issued their guidelines to head off cold-weather-related problems, especially from the traditionally vulnerable sectors of the workforce: construction, commercial fishing, maritime, and agriculture.

OSHA is reminding employers and workers to take precautions—such as those listed on the OSHA Cold Stress Card or those covered in OSHA 10 training and OSHA 30 certification—to prevent, combat, and treat cold-related health problems.

Some tips from OSHA to protect workers:

• Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that may be dangerous.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and what to do to help workers.
• Train workers about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Encourage workers to wear proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions, including layers that can be adjusted to changing conditions.
• Be sure workers in extreme conditions take a frequent short break in warm dry shelters to allow their bodies to warm up.
• Try to schedule work for the warmest part of the day.

OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training are course programs that responsible employers now require of and provide to its employees to ensure a safe and healthful workplace for them. OSHAcampus.com, a top resource for online OSHA training programs, provides OSHA 10 training for entry-level workers, and OSHA 30 training for safety directors, foremen, and field supervisors.