What’s New
According to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on November 8th, the rate at which construction workers got injured or became sick on the job decreased in 2023. 7 out of 19 measured industries had higher incidence rates than construction in 2023. Please feel free to Contact Us with any questions you may have on how you might improve worker safety at your construction sites and/or workplaces.
Recent Projects
- Forensic engineering consultation regarding whether or not various cited Building Code and OSHA provisions apply to an accident which occurred at a residential home site in Sullivan County, NY which was under construction
- Professional Engineering consultation regarding roofing damage at a Convention Center located in Dutchess County, NY
- Forensic engineering consultation regarding a slip and fall at a municipal boat ramp in Westchester County, NY
Stuff that can kill you: Contractors pivot to new ways of tracking jobsite safety
On November 5th Construction Dive reported that “construction jobsite death rates have remained stagnant for a decade. Industry mantras have claimed the only acceptable number of injuries and deaths is zero, yet fatalities haven’t budged…The industry’s fatal injury rate has plateaued at around 10 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers. To help move the needle, safety leaders have begun pursuing new methods to measure success in safety. They say established, existing metrics are flawed. So, some leading contractors now record and analyze safety data differently. Rather than attempting to negate all jobsite injuries, some have turned their focus to the most severe hazards: the stuff that can kill you”.
Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., F.NSPE, as an OSHA certified Forensic Engineering consultant, and as a Past Chair of the National Society of Professional Engineers PE’s in Construction Interest Group, has helped to facilitate discussions between Professional Engineers across the country on important matters such as safety in both industry and construction. As a licensed Professional Engineer, State Certified Code Enforcement Official, and OSHA certified professional, Mr. Yarmus is credentialed to consult on site safety and incident investigation matters. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. is available to consult with business owners, operations managers, property managers, real estate developers, builders, attorneys, contractors, insurance professionals, adjusters, and other related parties regarding site safety issues. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such site safety related matters.
FHWA updates work zone safety rule for first time in 20 years
On November 11th Construction Dive reported that “the Biden-Harris administration has made the first update to highway work zone safety rule in 20 years, the Federal Highway Administration announced Nov. 5…The changes, which will go into effect Dec. 2, seek to decrease the likelihood of work zone fatalities for workers and motorists by establishing minimum requirements and providing guidance for the use of protection devices such as concrete barriers…The updates also provide guidance on the installation and maintenance of temporary traffic control devices, use of uniformed law enforcement during construction and utility operations and a new requirement of contract pay items ensuring the availability of funds for those provisions”.
Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., F.NSPE, as an OSHA certified Forensic Engineering consultant, and as a Past Chair of the National Society of Professional Engineers PE’s in Construction Interest Group, has helped to facilitate discussions between Professional Engineers across the country on important matters such as safety in both industry and construction. As a licensed Professional Engineer, State Certified Code Enforcement Official, and OSHA certified professional, Mr. Yarmus is credentialed to consult on site safety and incident investigation matters. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. is available to consult with business owners, operations managers, property managers, real estate developers, builders, attorneys, contractors, insurance professionals, adjusters, and other related parties regarding site safety issues. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such site safety related matters.