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MBA Risk Management Newsletter - October 21, 2008:

It's official: Crane proposed rule published

OSHA has published the long-awaited proposed rule for cranes and derricks in construction. The proposed rule would apply to the estimated 96,000 construction cranes in the U.S., including 2,000 tower cranes.

The proposed standard addresses key safety issues associated with cranes, including ground conditions, the assembly and disassembly of cranes, the operation of cranes near power lines, the certification and training of crane operators, the use of safety devices and signals, and inspections of cranes. It significantly updates existing tower crane requirements and more comprehensively addresses tower crane safety, with respect both to erecting and dismantling, and to crane operations.

The proposed standard would establish four options for the qualification or certification of crane operators:
1. Certification through an accredited third-party testing organization,
2. Qualification through an audited employer testing program,
3. Qualification issued by the U.S. military, and
4. Qualification by a state or local licensing authority.

Comments, hearing requests, and other information must be submitted to OSHA by Dec. 8, 2008.

For more information and to view the Oct. 9, 2008, proposed rule, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21993.pdf

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OSHA Unveils New Web Page on Fall Prevention in Construction

Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction is a new resource on OSHA's Web site for employers and employees in the construction industry. This new Web page is a central repository of resources targeting ways employers and employees can prevent construction-related falls.

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OSHA launches crane safety initiative

To coincide with the recently published proposed rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction, OSHA has launched a National Crane Safety Initiative. The initiative builds on a number of steps taken by OSHA earlier this year to raise awareness on crane safety and increase enforcement of the current standards, including launching local emphasis programs in a number of regions to inspect high-rise construction, stakeholder outreach, and additional training on crane safety.

"Three important features of this initiative are that it will provide information and outreach to the construction industry and other stakeholders, offer enhanced resources to OSHA inspectors who address crane safety and implement a National Emphasis Program on Crane Safety," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr.

Through its agency partners in the construction industry, OSHA will increase awareness of and provide information on how to avoid crane hazards. The Agency's compliance safety and health officers will receive enhanced resources on crane safety. Additionally, the National Emphasis Program will incorporate increased targeted inspections of construction worksites to identify crane hazards and promote compliance with workplace crane safety requirements.

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Portable generators recalled due to fire hazard

General Power Products LLC, of Loveland, Ohio, is recalling about 13,000 portable generators. The generators' fuel valve can be damaged by the cover plate during shipment and cause a fuel leak and fuel spillage during use, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

General Power Products has received 14 reports of damaged fuel valves. No injuries have been reported.

This recall includes the General Power Products 6000 Watt portable generator and the Poulan Pro 6000 Watt portable generator with serial numbers 060400483 through 060600725. The serial number is stamped on the engine block which is located on the front of the engine below the generator’s control panel. “General Power Products” and “6000 Generator” are printed on the side of the General Power Products generator. “Poulan Pro” and “6000 watts” are printed on the side of the Poulan Pro generator.

The equipment was sold at hardware and home improvement stores primarily located in Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas from June 2008 through September 2008 for between $600 and $800.

Consumers should immediately stop using the generators and contact General Power Products to determine if the generator’s fuel valve is damaged and, if it is, to receive a free repair kit and instructions.

For additional information, contact General Power Products toll-free at (877) 428-3769 or visit http://www.generalpowerproducts.com.

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"QuickTips" from QuickTakes

Trenching and excavation work creates many hazards which can prove fatal to the employees doing the work. OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in the earth's surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined by OSHA as a narrow excavation that is deeper than it is wide, but no wider than 15 feet. OSHA also defines part of a bigger excavation as a trench if the distance from the edge of the excavation to an obstruction in the excavation, like a concrete form or basement wall, is 15 feet or less. Cave-ins are perhaps the most dangerous trenching hazard and can be minimized or prevented by protective systems such as shielding (trench boxes) or benching, sloping and shoring. But other potential hazards exist including falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, vehicular traffic and operating equipment. The following are some general trenching and excavation safety rules.

• Keep spoils and other surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from edges.
• Keep mobile equipment away from edges; use signals, barricades or stop logs.
• Locate underground utilities before excavating; approach them with caution.
• Test for hazardous atmospheres, low oxygen, flammability and toxicity.
• Inspect trenches prior to the start of each shift and as needed throughout the shift.
• Inspect trenches following rainstorms and other hazard-increasing occurrences.
• Do not work under loads and stand clear of vehicles being loaded and unloaded.
• Position ladders no more than 25 feet from employees in trenches.

OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page on Trenching and Excavation is a resource featuring the potential hazards and possible abatements for the hazards associated with trenching and excavation work. The trenching and excavation section of OSHA's Construction eTool is an additional resource that employers can use to prevent workplace injuries and help keep employees safe on the job.

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Propane emergencies: New CSB safety video, "Half an Hour to Tragedy," highlights training needs

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently released a new 23-minute safety video, "Half an Hour to Tragedy," based on the deadly propane gas explosion at a convenience store in Ghent, W. Va., in January 2007.

The CSB's final written report on the tragedy, which killed two emergency responders and two propane technicians, was approved at a public meeting in Beckley, W. Va., on September 25.

The title of the video refers to the nearly thirty minutes that elapsed between the beginning of the propane release and the moment of the explosion. During that period, no evacuation occurred, and volunteer firefighters and others entered the flammable propane cloud.

The video includes a seven-minute, 3-D computer animation showing how a defective valve on a 500-gallon propane storage tank shot propane directly into the store building through attic vents, during what was to supposed to have been a routine change of propane service provider.

"This video shows how a number of factors — a tank placed too close to the building, a lack of necessary training for propane technicians, and a lack of awareness among technicians and responders to order an immediate evacuation - combined to take the lives of four people," said John Bresland, CSB chairman and CEO. "Across the United States, firefighters are responding to propane emergencies almost every day. Training and preparedness are the keys to preventing tragic accidents like the one in West Virginia last year," Bresland said.

The Board recommended mandatory training for propane technicians using improved training materials, regular hazardous materials training and drills for responders, and new propane release guidance for 911 emergency operators.

The new video can be viewed on the CSB's video site, http://www.safetyvideos.gov. Free DVD copies will become available within the next several weeks.

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Pennsylvania anti-idling bill signed into law

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into law legislation (Senate Bill 295) that will reduce the noise and exhaust fumes of idling tractor trailers. The law will bar commercial diesel vehicles from idling for more than five minutes during any 60-minute period.

“I truly appreciate the support of my colleagues in approving this legislation that will improve air quality across the Commonwealth and especially for those residents who live around truck terminals and parking areas. Idling motor vehicles needlessly waste hundreds of millions of gallons of diesel fuel,” Pennsylvania Senator Pat Browne said. “By enacting this restriction, we will save fossil fuel and make Pennsylvania less energy dependent. In a lot of regards, this legislation meets our goals for the environment and energy independence that we have set in the Senate."

Any person who violates the provisions of the new law could face fines ranging from $150 to $300. Senator Browne said the restriction on idling would help Pennsylvania's environment, while helping reduce Pennsylvania’s energy dependence.

Farm vehicles and motor homes are specifically excluded from the provisions of the legislation. There are also certain exemptions included for buses, school buses, and emergency vehicles. Moreover, the new law has exceptions for traffic jams, emergency or security situations, truck maintenance, government inspections, certain cold or hot weather situations, and certain waste collection activities. In addition, large vehicles may idle if certain technology is installed that helps to reduce emissions. Complete details are prescribed in the law.

The bill takes effect 120 days after October 9, 2008. Search for SB295 at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/

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