This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Government Regulations
    • Health
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • Product Case Studies
    • Psychology
    • Safety Culture
    • Training
    • Transportation Safety
    • More Topics
  • Construction
  • Oil & Gas
  • Columns
    • Editorial Comments
    • Best Practices
    • Positive Cultures
    • Training Strategies
    • Closing Time
    • FR Protection
    • Thought Leadership
  • Products
  • Conventions
    • Convention Companion
  • Multimedia
    • eBooks
    • Infographics
    • Photo Galleries
    • ISHN Podcasts
    • Your Digital Mentor Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • ISHN YouTube Videos
  • More
    • Awards
      • 2020 Readers' Choice Awards- Submit Products
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Product Case Studies
    • Product Innovations
    • Showrooms
    • Vendor News
  • Advertise
    • Contact
Home » ASSE protests new Arizona bill that lowers construction worker fall protections
Construction Industry Safety and HealthToday's News

ASSE protests new Arizona bill that lowers construction worker fall protections

June 29, 2012
KEYWORDS construction / fall
Reprints

roofingWith a new state bill that raises the height for fall protection requirements, Arizona is pitting itself against the federal government – and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is urging OSHA to enforce federal fall hazard standards.

“In support of its Arizona members, the ASSE is asking OSHA to to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) will enforce residential fall protection for those working at heights six feet and above, not 15 feet and above, as called for in a new state bill,” said the ASSE’s Terrie S. Norris, CSP, ARM, CPSI,

“Alarmed at the impact this will have on our Arizona ASSE members’ ability to protect workers, we urge you to enforce your responsibilities under Section 18 of the OSH Act and ensure that ADOSH is at least as effective as OSHA is in protecting residential construction workers from fall hazards,” Norris said in her June 25 letter to Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels.

In March, Arizona passed SB1441, actually barring enforcement of fall protection for those working under 15 feet in residential construction.  OSHA last year changed its policy to require residential construction workers to be protected at six feet.  SB 1441 ensures that ADOSH cannot meet the requirement established in Section 18 of the OSH Act that calls for a state plan be “at least as effective” as the same standards and activities of federal OSHA.

In 2010, more than 10,000 construction workers were injured as a result of falling while working from heights and 255 workers died from on-the-job injuries. In Arizona in 2010 there were 77 work-related fatalities with falls being the third leading cause of worker deaths resulting in 10 fatalities. Seven workers died from work-related injuries due to lower level falls and three from ladder falls.

Norris noted that, not only are workers better protected at the six feet threshold, the financial impact of not providing fall protection to workers for businesses is high. A recent OSHA study, compiled with data from 36 states titled ‘Workers’ Compensation Costs of Falls in Construction’ found falls from elevation claims costs by insured roofers average approximately $54 million a year. It also found that each fall from elevations by roofers, carpenters and other workers in construction costs between $50,000 and $106,000 each.

Norris said that, at a time when OSHA is working to develop a better understanding of how to measure the effectiveness of state plans, including a June 25 stakeholders meeting in Washington, D.C., addressing ADOSH’s inability to meet OSHA’s standard in enforcement of residential fall protection will provide all state plans clear notice of the most basic measure of state plan effectiveness and requirements.

Subscribe to ISHN Magazine

Related Articles

Arizona eases up on fall regulations

The Week That Was in Safetyland 7.23.2010.doc – Battle over OSHA bill just getting started; provisions that employers protest

Federal OSHA says Arizona’s fall protection standard not good enough

Related Events

ASSE to host virtual symposium on new OSHA Walking-Working Standard

Related Directories

Safety Rail Source

HySafe

Subscribe For Free!
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • ISHN eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Today's News

2 young part-time UPS workers killed in California

incident investigation

How to investigate a worksite incident

ambulance

Buffalo Wild Wings manager dies after exposure to toxic cleaning product fumes

house

Potted plants are irrelevant to indoor air quality

Tesla

Report finds worker injuries are “routine” at Tesla’s Nevada plant

ISHN Readers' Choice Awards 2020 product submissions


Events

March 7, 2019

Safety and Wellness: The Combination that Drives Engagement and Profitability

On Demand Attend this webinar for the keys to success, as well as mistakes to avoid, when targeting safety and wellness with a Recognition & Reward Program.

View All Submit An Event

ISHN Podcasts


ISHN Podcasts

ISHN Magazine

ISHN1219_cover.jpg

2019 December

Among the articles in the December 2019 issue of ISHN Magazine, we have expert insight on selecting the right respirator, a link to the 2020 Buyers’ & Resource Guide, 10 safety mistakes that can land you in a courtroom, and much more.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Safety A-Z
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Web Exclusives
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing