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US construction companies with less than 20 employees have experienced an increase in worker fatality rates, as their larger counterparts continue to see rates fall, according to a recent report. The fatal injury rate for smaller construction companies has jumped 57 per cent in recent years, from 15.5 per 100,000 workers in 2008, to 24.4 inRead more

Incomplete initiatives aimed at improving employer reporting of injuries are some of the key management and performance challenges facing OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), according to a new report. The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General recently released a report that recommended how OSHA and the MSHA could best use their resourcesRead more

As part of a state-wide crackdown on waste regulation, the NSW Government has introduced an Amendment Bill that will double the the penalty for unlawfully transporting or depositing waste where any quantity of asbestos is involved. The Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Asbestos Waste) Bill 2018 doubles the maximum fine for waste offences involving asbestos from $1Read more

On November 9, 2017, the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) published its final rule on crane operator certification compliance. Businesses were given a year to ensure that all crane operators were certified. After spending many months addressing stakeholder concerns, OSHA has now finalised new obligations for employers in the construction industry. Employers must nowRead more

There is widespread concern in the U.S construction industry that an impending shortage of skilled workers will have a significantly negative effect on job site safety. According to the latest Q3 report from USG and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the anticipated labor shortage over the next three years will be the number one factorRead more

Many of New Zealand’s commercial buildings do not meet fire safety standards and are putting lives and property at risk, says the Insurance Council of New Zealand. The ICNZ said inspections and risk survey in the construction industry were commonly finding passive fire construction work that did not meet the New Zealand Building Code. PassiveRead more

The construction industry has one of the poorest OHS records out of all industry sectors in Australia, with three workplace fatalities per 100,000 workers and 8.1 serious claims per million hours worked, according to recent Safe Work Australia data. The nature of work in the construction industry means it is a relatively high-risk industry andRead more

Builders and contractors are being warned that they must do more to prevent musculoskeletal injuries, as WorkSafe Victoria begin a proactive inspection program. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common type of injury amongst construction workers, mostly caused by lifting heavy or awkward loads, or slips and trips while moving around a work site. And theyRead more