Author: Nazia Shah
Elliott Equipment Company has issued a Service Bulletin/Field Advisory calling for the inspection and torque verification of telescope cylinder mounting bolts on certain Elliott equipment. Affected equipment includes E-Series Aerials, D86, D105 and D115 Digger Derricks, and all Boom Truck Cranes. The inspection is intended to identify loose, damaged, broken or missing mounting hardware and verify that the telescope cylinder mounting bolts are properly secured. Elliott emphasizes that movement or rotation of the washers alone does not indicate whether the mounting bolts are loose. A visual inspection and torque verification are required. What contractors should do Owners and operators of affected equipment…
AGC of America is now accepting speaking proposals for its Summer 2027 Construction Safety & Health Conference taking place July 13-15, 2027, in Orlando, FL. This event is designed for emerging to senior-level management professionals who work in any of the commercial construction markets. All educational sessions should be targeted towards these attendees and should involve topics that reflect current and emerging issues in construction safety and health. We invite you to share your knowledge and help us shape the Summer 2027 experience. For more information and to submit a proposal, please refer to the event guidelines. Proposals should be submitted no later than January 29, 2027.…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a new Lithium-ion Battery Safety Safety and Health Topics page (SHTP) to help employers and workers recognize and address hazards associated with manufacturing, using, storing, recycling, and shipping these batteries. The resource brings together technical information, applicable OSHA standards, national consensus standards, and guidance on evaluating exposures and controlling hazards. For construction employers, the resource is relevant to cordless power tools, battery-powered equipment, and projects involving energy storage systems. While lithium-ion batteries offer portable, rechargeable power, they also present electrical, chemical, fire, and explosion hazards that should be addressed through workplace…
As part of its efforts to keep stakeholders informed, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has shared its key strategies, national outreach initiatives, and calendar of workplace safety and health observances for FY 2027. The agency’s plans emphasize hazard abatement, compliance assistance, small business outreach, and modernizing workplace safety and health standards. The summary below reflects OSHA’s FY 2027 Strategies and Outreach Initiatives document. Dates are subject to change. Visit osha.gov/calendar for updates. I. National Initiatives OSHA will support the following national outreach initiatives in FY 2027: OSHA CARES: Customer Assistance, Resources, & Engagements OSHA CARES is an agency-wide…
AGC participated in OSHA’s annual Alliance Program Forum on September 29 in Washington, D.C., joining Alliance partners and agency leaders to discuss safety and health priorities, share resources, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Hosted by OSHA’s Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, the forum featured updates from OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), along with industry presentations on serious injury and fatality prevention and artificial intelligence. Construction Enforcement Trends and Outreach OSHA’s Directorate of Construction highlighted persistent hazards facing the industry, with fall protection, scaffolding, and ladders leading its list of the most frequently cited…
On October 14, during AGC’s quarterly Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum, Dr. Hongtao Dang of Washington State University explored how psychological safety can help construction workers feel comfortable raising concerns, asking questions, admitting mistakes and seeking support without fear of retaliation or embarrassment. The presentation highlighted a construction-focused psychological safety training program developed through collaboration among Washington State University, Oregon State University and AGC of Washington, with funding from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Attendees learned about free training materials scheduled for release in English and Spanish, including participant and instructor manuals, toolbox talks, construction case studies…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new fact sheet to help employers and workers recognize and respond to opioid overdose emergencies in the workplace. Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications outlines practical steps that contractors can use to strengthen jobsite emergency preparedness. The guidance encourages employers to keep overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone, readily accessible alongside other emergency supplies and train workers to recognize overdose symptoms, administer medication, and provide support while awaiting first responders. OSHA emphasizes that reversal medications do not replace emergency medical care: responders should always call 911 immediately when an overdose is…
On September 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established a new two-year alliance with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), University of Colorado Boulder’s Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA), and National Safety Council (NSC) to advance serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention. The alliance will develop and share practical guidance, training, and resources to help employers and workers identify and prevent SIFs. Planned activities include workshops, webinars, industry discussions, and technical briefings for OSHA staff, with materials available in languages and formats appropriate for their audiences. Injury, illness, and hazard exposure data…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that it has awarded approximately $10.2 million to 67 organizations through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. The funding will support workplace safety and health education, emphasizing small businesses and industries with high injury, illness, and fatality rates. Several awards directly address construction hazards, including falls, electrical hazards, extreme temperatures, trenching and excavation, silica exposure, and roadway work zones. Other grants will fund new construction training materials on PPE, lithium-ion battery safety, fall prevention, confined spaces, and heat stress. These projects will expand resources available to help contractors recognize hazards and…
The next AGC Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum is scheduled for October 14, 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Eastern Time. Mandi Horton, Director of Safety with AGC of Washington, and Dr. Hongtao Dang, Assistant Professor of Construction Management with Washington State University will highlight new research examining the role of psychological safety on construction jobsites. Participants will learn how psychological safety can strengthen mental well-being, physical safety, productivity, quality, communication, teamwork, belonging, and inclusion. The forum will also introduce practical tools and examples that construction leaders, supervisors, and safety professionals can use to build jobsite cultures where workers feel heard, respected, and empowered to…