Property and Casualty Profile – Construction
Did You Know?
On Aug.10, OSHA issued nearly $2 million in fines to Kehrer Brothers, an Illinois-based construction company, and Joseph Kehrer, the company’s manager, for knowingly exposing workers to asbestos.
Kehrer Brothers brought non-English speaking workers to the United States, knowingly exposed them to asbestos and threatened to fire the employees if they spoke to OSHA inspectors. In total, Kehrer Brothers was cited for 16 “egregious” violations, nine “willful” violations and six “serious” violations.
Melanoma Rates Have Doubled According to CDC Report
Despite the fact that the rates of most other types of cancer have been declining, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that melanoma rates doubled between 1982 and 2011.
Fortunately, the CDC says that skin cancer prevention programs could cut the projected number of new melanoma cases between 2020 and 2030 by as much as 20 percent.
Employers can play a vital role in the prevention of skin cancer. OSHA has identified ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight as a workplace hazard, and employers should encourage employees to do the following in order to protect themselves from UV rays:
- Cover up
- Use sunscreen
- Wear a hat
- Wear UV-absorbent shades
- Limit exposure
In addition, employers can visit OSHA’s website for more information and resources to help protect workers from UV radiation.
Gas Line Explosion Injures 3 NYC Workers
According to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, three construction workers at a high school in New York City were critically injured when one of the construction workers tested a gas line with a lit match. The construction workers were private contractors who had been working on upgrades to the school’s science labs. The explosion caused substantial damage to the floor they were working on and occurred just days before the school was set to open for the year.
Exposing natural gas to an open flame is an obvious hazard, but this accident shows the importance of reviewing workplace safety practices with employees. Employers can consult the American Gas Association’s website for more information on natural gas safety.
Risk Management Tips brought to you by: Southwest Risk Management, LLC
