Two men have recently been killed at work due, it would seem, to the companies involved not complying with the safety requirements of OSHA.To me this is not surprising. Walking around building sites,?small or large, one can see examples of workers' safety being ignored. It is esential that safety officers regularly visit sites under construction to ensure high standards of safety are maintained.
Only this morning I watched a man standing on a wooden platform some 12 or so feet above ground. The platform was only about eight feet or so square with no guard rails. The man was hauling up buckets of wet cement with a rope, not even over a pulley. To stand at the edge of a platform and haul up buckets of cement by hand is just asking for trouble.
It is vital that all building sites are regularly inspected by qualified OSHA representatives to ensure that the safety of workers. Over the years there have been far too many industrial accidents and I do not recall any firms being prosecuted and compensation paid to the injured workmen or to their families.In the UK many years ago accidents on building sites were common, but after the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act there was a considerable reduction in serious accidents which proved it's worth.
All business premises should receive at least annual inspection and building sites weekly or monthly inspections to ensure the law is being complied with.All Companies are responsible for the safety of their employees and for ensuring a pleasant working environment.
Hugh Putt
Via e-mail
All business premises should receive at least annual inspection and building sites weekly or monthly inspections to ensure the law is being complied with.All Companies are responsible for the safety of their employees and for ensuring a pleasant working enviroment.