August of 2000 after 35 years as an active Local 86 Union Ironworker, I retired to pursue a career in safety. Seeing the need to help bring steel erectors and general contractors together with the OSHA/DOSH EM 385-1-1 Steel Erection codes I established Fall Protection Consulting, Inc. UBI # 602 761 612I provide Safety and Health service to Steel Erectors & Rebar Contractors signatory to collective bargaining agreements affiliated with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers specifically, training employers and employees, developing, managing their company Accident Prevention Program's in an effort to comply with state, federal, and general contractor specific jobsite safety requirements.

Lets Work Together Employer Responsibilities Each employer is required to provide a safe and healthy workplace free from recognized hazards. WAC 296-800-110 outlines some of the basic responsibilities, including: ·       Providing and using methods to make the workplace safe. ·       Prohibiting employees from entering or being in any part of a workplace that is not safe. ·        Constructing the workplace so that it is safe. ·        Prohibiting alcohol and narcotics from the workplace. ·     Prohibiting employees from using equipment and materials that do not meet DOSH requirements. ·       Establishing, supervising and enforcing safety rules that are effective in practice. ·       Controlling chemical agents. ·       Protecting employees from biological agents. Employee Responsibilities Each employee is responsible for playing an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace, and complying with applicable safety and health rules. WAC 296-800-120 outlines some basic responsibilities, including: ·        Studying and following all safety practices to the work being performed. ·        Coordinating and cooperating with all other employees to try to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses. ·        Applying the principles of accident prevention to the daily work. ·        Using proper safety devices and protective equipment as required by the job or employer. ·        Taking care of and wearing all required personal protective equipment (PPE). ·        Not wearing torn or loose clothing while working around machinery. ·        Promptly reporting hazards, injuries and illnesses to a supervisor. ·        Not removing or damaging any safety device, notice or warning provided to make the workplace safe. ·        Doing everything reasonably necessary to protect the lives and safety of employees.

Why is it that the General Contractors are always after my Site Specific Safety Plans? OSHA and DOSH recognizes that steel erection subcontractors are hired for their expertise in performing steel erection work. In that respect, steel erector/rebar placer subcontractors are similar to other subcontractors, all of whom are hired because they are experts in their specialties. But while each subcontractor has special expertise, it is typically the general contractor or construction manager who controls the overall project and coordinates the work of the subcontractors.              The general contractor's or construction manager's control over the project gives them the ability to see that safety and health hazards created by subcontractors are corrected. Accordingly, when the general contractor or construction manager has reason to know of violative conditions created by a subcontractor, they have the authority to prevent or correct that condition by reason of its supervisory authority over the worksite, and fails to take appropriate action to prevent or correct the violation, the general contractor or construction manager is liable for the violation as a controlling employer. See OSHA Directive No. CPL 2-00.124 (Dec. 10, 1999). OSHA stresses that the general contractor or construction manager is not strictly liable for subcontractor violations but is only responsible if it fails to take reasonable and feasible steps to discover and correct unsafe or unhealthful working conditions on the work site.                 If you as a a steel erector/rebar placer fail to have the REQUIRED safety and health documents ON SITE that address how you are going to protect your Ironworkers from hazards associated with steel erection/rebar placement, then that would be a violation and subject to the language above. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Questions or comments about Fall Protection Consulting, Inc., please contact us at: craig@ironworkersafety.com © 1991-2009 by ® Fall Protection Consulting, Inc. Web Site designed by Craig Carlson Updated 11-17-09