Ironworkers ask OSHA to reinstate safety penalties

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.lvrj.com/news/19708599.html

By ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY
REVIEW-JOURNAL

An alliance of ironworker unions from four states including Nevada is asking federal OSHA officials to rescind directives that removed penalties for a pair of safety standards the union claims are crucial to steel workers' safety.

"We were shocked and disappointed that OSHA would issue compliance directives that remove safety provisions for the steel erection industry," District Council of Iron Workers President Joe Standley said. "These compliance directives continue to be a source of regulatory confusion, costly job site delays and unnecessary litigation."

The federal directives, issued in the mid-1990s, supercede Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and say contractors should not be cited for failure to comply with the standards.

The two safety standards at issue require that flooring or nets be placed at least 30 feet below workers doing any high-rise work and that metal decking or other work surfaces be installed before any steel connectors or other possible tripping hazards can be installed.

Standley announced the alliance's request Monday at a news conference held the day before Edwin Foulke, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, is to speak about workplace safety at the annual American Society of Safety Engineers Conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Las Vegas Hilton.

"We are outraged with the news that Mr. Foulke would come to Las Vegas to pontificate about fatalities and workplace safety matters," Standley said. "He has refused to rescind OSHA compliance directives that have been at the center of controversy in Las Vegas."

Foulke could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

FULL story at link.