Please join fellow construction safety professionals Jan. 20–22, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona for the AGC Safety and Health Conference. You'll have the opportunity to participate in the development of regulatory and legislative activity at the national and local levels, assist in the development and creation of new safety training programs and products and hear the latest initiatives from OSHA and other industry experts.

The Department of Labor and the Department of Justice have established a new initiative to prevent and deter crimes that jeopardize the lives and health of workers. The initiative strengthens the ability of the two departments to investigate and prosecute employers who fail to provide a safe workplace for their employees. Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu joined Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates in signing the agreement during a ceremony at the Dept. of Justice on Dec. 17.

The Memorandum of Understanding calls for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Attorney's Offices to work with the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, and Wage and Hour Division to investigate and prosecute worker endangerment violations. The worker safety statutes generally provide for only misdemeanor penalties, and the new initiative will encourage them to use the federal criminal and penal code and environmental offenses, which often occur in conjunction with worker safety crimes, to enhance penalties and increase deterrence.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently renewed its alliance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners (including AGC of America) to protect workers in roadway construction work zones from injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The renewed alliance will continue for five years.

The alliance promotes a culture of safety in the roadway construction industry, especially among non- and limited-English speaking workers. Members collaborate to reduce workplace incidents, especially preventing worker exposures to run-over and back-over hazards, excessive noise, sprains and strains, and illnesses related to silica exposure.

"Employees who work in highway construction work zones face serious dangers, not only from construction equipment but from motorists as well," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "I am confident that the information and resources generated from this renewed alliance will prove beneficial in reducing worker injuries and fatalities."

Created in 2007, the alliance has developed case studies on worker fatalities in roadway work zones, produced an infographic on the causes of the fatalities, and contributed to the development of documents and training courses to prevent falls and other construction safety hazards. The Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners have distributed information on OSHA’s campaigns to prevent falls in construction and reduce the risks of heat illness.

Signatories include the American Road and Transportation Builders Association; National Asphalt Pavement Association; Laborers’ International Union of North America [LIUNA]; Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America; LIUNA Training and Education Fund; International Union of Operating Engineers; Associated General Contractors of America; International Safety Equipment Association; and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Through its alliance program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits.

Third Annual National Safety Stand Down 
May 2-6, 2016
OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Center for Construction Research and Training will hold the third annual National Safety Stand-Down May 2-6, 2016, to raise awareness of the serious risk of falls in the workplace. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and lack of proper fall protection remains the most frequently cited violation by OSHA. More than 4 million workers have participated in the last two years, dedicating themselves to on-the-job safety. This year the stand-down will highlight the safe use of ladders and encourage employers to pause during their workday for topic talks, demonstrations and training on how to prevent falls. For more information on the success of last year's stand-down, see the final data report. Visit the 2016 National Safety Stand-Down webpage for more updates.