Page 20 - Builder Brief August 2023

SAFETY
NEW OSHA RULES ON INJURY RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING GO INTO EFFECT JAN. 1
Originally Published on NAHBNow.com
OSHA published a final rule amending its workplace injury and illness record keeping regulation to require certain employers to electronically submit additional injury and illness information annually.
The main change is the requirement that companies with more than 100 employees in certain industries submit information from OSHA Form 300, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, and Form 301, Injury and Illness Incident Report, to OSHA on an annual basis.
The requirement does not cover all of construction but does include some sectors that home builders rely on, like foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors, and manufacturers of many building materials.
These new requirements will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024, and the required data from the previous year must be submitted to OSHA by March 2.
Companies with 20 to 249 employees in certain industries, including construction, will continue to be required to electronically submit information from their OSHA Form 300A, Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, to the agency once a year.
In addition to the new reporting requirements, OSHA intends to post some of the data from these annual
electronic submissions on a public website.
NAHB and other construction trade associations strongly opposed the plan to publish the workplace illness and injury data. NAHB noted in comments during the rule making process that “the publication of establishment- specific injury and illness data would lead to misuse of confidential information by the public and special interest groups.” The Associated General Contractors of America also noted in its comments that the plan, “could result in the potential mischaracterization of a contractor’s safety and health program in the absence of proper context.”
LEARN TIPS TO STAY COOL IN RECORD HEAT
Originally Published on NAHBNow.com
A record heat wave is causing the mercury to hit triple digits on many job sites across the country. Ensuring employees and contractors are regularly hydrated and protected from the sun during hot months is essential to the health and safety of workers.
NAHB’s Heat Stress Safety Toolkit can help members be prepared to take precautions to protect against possible heat related illnesses and/or injuries. The toolkit provides key insights on preventing and identifying heat stress, and includes downloadable resources and videos available in English and Spanish.
Heat stress can be particularly dangerous because most residential construction professionals are used to working in the heat of summer. But acclimatization within a season is crucial to staying safe. If the normal high temperatures in your area are in the high 80s and a heat wave suddenly brings readings in the high 90s, the first
few days are going to be the most dangerous because of lack of acclimatization.
Employers and workers should be sure to have plans in place to provide access to plenty of water and take adequate breaks when needed, as well as access to shade or cool-down areas. Employers and workers should also consider shifting work schedules to times of day when temperatures are lower, such as early morning to mid-day.
This summer, the Las Cruces Home Builders Association (LCHBA) helped its local community stay cool. The HBA delivered popsicles, cold water and sunglasses to residential construction workers on job sites. The drop- ins were an opportunity to help workers cool down, but also show appreciation for their hard work, said Nicole Perez, executive officer, LCHBA.
To access the heat safety toolkit and other safety resources, visit nahb.org.
20 AUGUST 2023 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION