The Construction Depot is a newsletter focusing on safe work practices for the construction industry - news you can use to make your workplace a safer, healthier one.

Current issue

May 2013

• Construction workers account for most contractor deaths nationwide, BLS study shows
• Sunscreen – does Oregon OSHA require workers to use it?
• By the numbers: hand injuries caused by powered hand tools, 2008-2012
• Extension cords – who can repair them?
• New publication from The Center for Construction Research and Training

Previous issues

April 2013

• Safety Break for Oregon set for May 8
• Weld splatter torches fall arrest harness
• Fall protection Q&A: When can I use a safety monitor?
• Don't forget to report overnight hospitalizations and fatalities
• Rule updates

March 2013

• Considering the worker in workplace safety and health
• Hazard communication – do you know what's in that portable container?
• Construction safety leaders honored at GOSH conference
• Fall protection – is that roof-top anchor safe?
• A look at construction fatalities in 2012

February 2013

• It's February. Do you know where your OSHA 300-A is?
• Engine exhause - pick your poison
• Arc flash - the dangers persist
• Questions and answers about electrical cords and temporary power sources
• Tool talk - coated hand tools and electrical hazards
• Update on Oregon OSHA's proposed rules
• GOSH conference coming in March

January 2013

• Rulemaking: Hearings scheduled on three Oregon OSHA proposed rules
• The story behind Oregon OSHA's proposed small-capacity crane rules
• How much can you safely lift? Try Oregon OSHA's new lift calculator
• Sawing concrete? Use water.

December 2012

• Don't ignore that crack in your windshield
• Backing up (and today's pop quiz question)
• 12th annual Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit comes to Bend Jan. 29
• Introducing Oregon OSHA's new confined space rule

November 2012

• What is a fall hazard?
• When do workers need to be protected from fall hazards?
• Factors to consider in evaluating fall hazards
• The importance of planning
• Training and supervision
• Dealing with emergencies

October 2012

• Globally harmonized hazard communication - what's it all about?
• Hazard communication in the workplace
• What is a hazardous chemical?
• Understanding the hazard communication process
• Preparing a written hazard communication plan
• Using safety data sheets
• Labeling containers of hazardous chemicals
• Training employees about hazard communication
• Oregon OSHA's hazard communication rules

September 2012

• Tool talk: Portable abrasive grinders
• Small business and obstacles to workplace safety
• New rules update: Hazard communication
• Respirable hazard of the month: silica dust
• What's wrong with this picture
• Three new "quick facts" fact sheets from Oregon OSHA

August 2012

• Tool box talk: Abrasive wheel grinders
• Tool box talk: Laser levels
• Carbon monoxide and small gas powered engines
• Lightning awareness: What are your chances of getting zapped?
• Noise induced hearing loss: perception versus reality
• Using Apps for workplace safety and health

July 2012

• Since when is 'housekeeping' construction work?
• Try Oregon OSHA's new portable ladder app
• Northwest safety staff attend mobile crane training in Portland
• Oregon GOSH Conference coming to Portland: March 2013
• NIOSH team to recommend worker safety requirements in LEED green building certification

June 2012

• The cost of workplace accidents: going up
• Struck-by injuries in construction - what they are and how they happen
• Update: Oregon OSHA's new confined space rule
• Update: Penalties and other Division 1 General Administrative Rules
• Oregon OSHA's "Fatality and accident reports" webpage revised

May 2012

• Falls are still a risk for solar PV installers
• Speed and distraction are deadly combinations when drivers enter cnstruction work zones
• Toolbox talk: Electrocution hazards and how they happen
• Need sleep?
• Rules updates

April 2012

• Since when do landscapers need to worry about falling?
• Scaffold safety: Mast climbing work platforms
• Reporting overnight hospitalizations and fatalities
• Celebrate Safety Break for Oregon on May 9
• Rulemaking updates
• Is there lead where your employees will be working?

March 2012

• Scaffold safety: Is fall protection required during erecting and dismantling work?
• Electrical Safety and the NFPA 70E
• Oregon OSHA's "top violations" reports are now just clicks away
• When does your forklift become a crane?
• Power line safety – evaluating the work zone
• New online citation appeal and extension request form now available

February 2012

• The cost of workplace accidents: it’s more than you think
• Get the lead out - blood lead reporting in Oregon
• Free rigging and forklifts
• How ladder accidents happen
• Oregon OSHA's new Confined Spaces rule delayed
• New ODOT temporary traffic control handbook available
• Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference coming to Eugene

January 2012

• Recent changes to Oregon OSHA's construction industry rules
• Construction safety conference coming to Bend, Jan. 24
• Most frequently violated construction rules for 2011 - fall protection tops the list (again)
• Understanding what's new in Oregon OSHA's lead rules
• New guide: Cranes and derricks in construction

 

Archived issues: Summer 2001-Spring 2008

Spring 2008

Winter 2008

Fall 2007

Winter 2006-2007

• Motor vehicle safety
• Getting traction in the winter
• Electrical safety

Summer/Fall 2006

• Sanitation at construction sites
• Fall Protection in Construction
• Worker Memorial Scholarships 2006 recipients
• Changes to OR-OSHA Web site: Improved navigation and added features
• GOSH 2007 awards nominations

Winter/Spring 2006

• What is safety and health management
• Worksite reponsibility: guidelines for contractors

Fall 2005

• Selecting portable ladders
• Using ladders safely
• Ladder inspection, maintenance, and repair
• Storing ladders
• Transporting ladders
• A checklist of safe pracitices

Summer 2005

• Are you planning to hire a young worker?
• Advice for employers
• Laws to know
• Getting started with young workers
• Advice for young workers
• 2005 five worst teen jobs
• How young workers get hurt

Spring 2005

• Never enter an unprotected trench!
• What causes a cave in?
• Planning: what to consider before you dig
• What’s the difference between an excavation and a trench?
• The role of the competent person
• Getting in and out of a trench
• Materials and mobile equipment
• Hazardous atmospheres
• Water accumulation
• Use appropriate protection to prevent cave-ins

Winter 2005

• Fall Protection: Questions and answers
• Construction industry’s frequently cited standards
• Did you know? Substance abuse — statistics on drug use in the workplace
• Skanska recognized for safety at Bend and Redmond hospital projects
• 2005 GOSH Conference open for registration
• Workers’ Memorial Scholarship deadline is March 1

Fall 2004

• Fall protection, rebar, and concrete formwork: the basics
• OR-OSHA’s 502 Committee produces a new fall protection booklet
• Safe Jobs, Smart Business for construction contractors

Summer 2004

• In the zone: traffic control safety
• Have a nice day: outdoor awareness for the summer
• Workplace Safety and Health Conferences
• Construction fatalities aren't always work related
• Yorke & Curtis recognized for worker safety

Spring 2004

• The 502 Committee addresses fall-protection challenges in stick-framed construction.
• Rod Comstock tells you how OR-OSHA’s training workshops can help
  bring new employees up to speed on workplace safety and health.
• Don Harris highlights the benefits of checking out a safety-training video from the OR-OSHA AV Library.
• Do you have to comply with OR-OSHA rules if youre an independent construction contractor?
• Ron Preece covers criteria you need to consider.
• Finally, a reminder: Be aware of asbestos if you do remodeling work. It’s still a concern for construction workers.

Winter 2004

• Keep the lines of communication open
• Poem: I chose to look the other way
• PESO: a new bilingual training program for construction safety
• I'm OR-OSHA's new Resource Center librarian, Jane Kirby
• Hearing-loss column added to OSHA 300 log
• Construction happenings (a list of events)
• Sign up for OR-OSHA's electronic notification service

Fall 2003

• Should you be concerned about mold?
• How to prevent mold
• How do molds enter a building?
• Should you test for mold?
• Does OR-OSHA have regulations that address mold?

Spring 2003

• The Construction Advisory Committee: working for you (list of members)
• Using a work platform on a rough-terrain lift truck?
• GFCIs: Effective if they're not defective

Winter 2003

• Falling: Truths and consequences
• Why we need protection from fallingFalling without protection
• Chart on "Accepted disabling workers' compensation claims Falls to a lower level in the construction industry, 1997-2001"
• How should we protect ourselves from falling?
• Fall-protection strategies
• Is Humpty safe?
• You know the end to this story.
• COSHA to host Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit

Summer 2002

• GFCIs and OR-OSHA's ground-fault-protection rules
• Types of GFCIs
• How GFCIs protect us
• Testing receptical GFCIs
• About OR-OSHA's new ground-fault protection rule
• Which rule do I follow?
• Where to learn more
• Electrical safety videos available from OR-OSHA
  

Spring 2002

• Should you be concerned about hazardous energy?
• Hazardous energy in the workplace
• How hazardous energy causes accidents: An example
• How to control hazardous energy
• Where to learn more about controlling hazardous energy

Fall 2001

• Do you have a safe and healthful workplace?
• Dermatitis: What is it? What are the symptoms? How to control exposure
• Silicosis: What is it? What are the symptoms? How to control exposure
• Hearing Loss: What is it? What are the symptoms? How to control exposure
• Want to learn more?

Summer 2001

• Going Up?
• Working six feet or more above a lower level? - List of hazardous work areas, and hazardous tasks
• You don't have to fall far to get hurt
• Thinking about fall protection
• Fall protection: what it really means
• Want to know more about fall protection? OR-OSHA training workshop
• List: Fall protection videos