www.agc.org • January 2013

OSHA Schedules Stakeholder Meetings

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has scheduled five informal stakeholder meetings to solicit comments on preventing injuries and fatalities from vehicle backovers. The purpose of the meetings is to gather information and evaluate backover risks across various industries, determine whether or how backovers may be prevented by new technology or other methods, and discuss the effectiveness of those measures. The first two meetings were held Jan. 8-9, 2013, in Washington, D.C. and the last three will be held Feb. 5, 2013, in Arlington, Tex.

OSHA published a Request for Information on backover hazards in the Federal Register on March 29, 2012. The agency received responses from individuals and organizations about how workers get injured and what solutions exist to prevent injury and death. These stakeholder meetings will provide employers, workers, safety professionals and equipment makers with an opportunity to inform OSHA about ways to address backover risks.

OSHA held the first round of meetings at 9 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2013, and at 9 a.m. on Jan. 9, 2013, at the U.S. Department of Labor, Room C-5515, rooms 1A&B, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. The second round of meetings will convene at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2013, at the University of Texas at Arlington, OSHA Education Center, Bluebonnet Ballroom in the University Center, 300 W. First St., Arlington, Tex. Individuals interested in participating must register electronically, by fax or mail. See the Federal Register notice for registration details.

Seventy-nine workers were killed in 2011 when backing vehicles or mobile equipment crushed them against an object or rolled over them, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. For information on backover hazards and preventing backovers or to view a prevention video, visit OSHA’s Preventing Backovers Web page.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.