Technology is increasingly being used to improve safety and efficiency on construction sites, but moves to introduce connected equipment and other resources often face barriers. Lack of data proving the benefits of technology, costs, privacy concerns and difficulties in changing entrenched practices have limited uptake of the devices, experts say. But given the risk of grave injuries and death among construction workers, the number of technology-based safety applications is multiplying, they say. Click to read more.

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - It’s a horrible tragedy that has once again put construction safety to the forefront. Investigators say a painter was working on the 18th floor of the new Bayso Sarasota high rise condo building when he fell to the 5th floor. The 21-year-old man would later die at the hospital. “Unfortunately it’s too common in construction,” said Terrence Grisim, President of Safety Management Consultants. “There has been a lot of work done on it by OSHA and the safety profession over the last few years.” Click to read more.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Three construction contractors might have prevented the death of a 31-year-old laborer who suffered fatal injuries after falling while installing roof trusses at a Tallahassee work site on Aug. 17, 2022, a federal workplace safety investigation has found. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the employee of Big Hammer LLC was installing roof trusses and attempting to upright the truss after a crane released it, causing the worker to fall 12 feet to the ground. The laborer suffered critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital where they died later that day. After investigating multiple employers at the site, OSHA issued citations to the project's prime contractor, Mad Dog Design and Construction Company Inc., and subcontractors, Big Hammer LLC and Forgotten Coast Crane Service Inc. "A worker's life was needlessly lost because the employers did not follow required construction safety procedures," said OSHA Acting Area Office Director Scott Tisdale in Jacksonville, Florida. "Employers must never overlook fundamental industry safety procedures, such as safety communication and fall protection systems. Ignoring them puts workers at risk and can lead to tragedies like this one." Read more here.

Through the first month of 2023, OSHA signaled to employers that enforcement is an agency priority and that it will use a full range of mechanisms to hold employers accountable for workplace health and safety violations. As a result of these developments, employers should expect to see increases in inspection activity and resulting penalties. OSHA Regional Administrators and State Plan Designees have expanded authority to issue an “instance-by-instance” citation for other-than-serious violations of OSHA standards specific to recordkeeping and “high-gravity” serious violations of OSHA standards. Read more here.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance has laid down the law, requiring Florida workers’ compensation insurers to verify employees before arbitrarily charging premium for subcontractors’ exempt officers. The question now is, will insurers abide or will they choose to ignore the concerns that some Florida insurance agents and consultants have raised over the last few years. “This has more meat on the bones now and requires carriers to do something. It’s a fair solution for all, I believe,” said Frank Pennachio, a workers’ comp consultant who advises the Florida Association of Insurance Agents and other groups around the country. Click to read more.

When a cumulative trauma claim is filed with an employer the approach should be much the same as with all claims, experts say: If the claim is accepted, worker advocacy is often the best medicine. “Injured worker advocacy and support early in the cycle of the claim is critical,” said Jennifer Cogbill, Frisco, Texas-based senior vice president of GBCare with Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. The advocacy approach typically involves supporting the worker with improved communication and guidance — the aim is to establish a collaborative relationship instead of one that might be deemed adversarial, according to experts. Click to read more.

Injuries to body parts that are caused by repetitive motion, frequent exposure to sounds, chemicals or even vibrations are among the most perplexing in the workers compensation sector. Injuries to body parts that are caused by repetitive motion, frequent exposure to sounds, chemicals or even vibrations are among the most perplexing in the workers compensation sector. Click to read more.

Seeking to improve accountability among employers who repeatedly violate workplace safety and health rules, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will change the way it cites companies to ensure greater compliance. OSHA says its administrators will now have the authority to cite certain types of violations as “instance-by-instance citations” for cases where the agency identifies “high-gravity” serious violations of OSHA standards specific to certain conditions where the language of the rule supports a citation for each instance of non-compliance. The agency said in a statement that it is also discouraging its administrators not to group violations, “and instead cite them separately to more effectively encourage employers to comply.” Click to read more.

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - The Manatee County Sheriff in cooperation with The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services with the Florida Department of Financial Services, and The Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted a joint Workers’ Compensation Fraud/ Unlicensed Contractor operation. The operation began on Jan. 24 and concluded on Jan. 25. Investigators were sent in to address unlicensed contractors who are working without the required contractor license and engaging in construction class work without the required workers’ compensation insurance exemptions. In total, 7 offenders were arrested and 2 direct files for Failure to Obtain Workers Compensation Coverage and Unlicensed contracting. Click to read more.