Cost of Safety

CTC-415

Accidents

• Costs– Increased Worker’s Comp rates– Increased health insurance rates– OSHA fines & remediation– Legal fees– Negligence payments– Gaetano Const – dropped 1/3 of WC rate with

improved safety

Safety costs

• OSHA site visits– Fines possible– More visits with higher accident rate

• Safety Meetings– On site

• Usually weekly or monthly depending on craft• All members of craft on site• Also general safety meetings w/ everyone

Safety costs

• Site must have emergency shower, eyewash, first aid kits

Safety Costs

• Safety harnesses– Harness - $90– Lanyards - $90– Carabiners - $20– Life Lines - $70

Each

Must be checked with each use

People in harnesses have to be connected to safety cables at all times – requires 2 lanyards

• Safety Rail– Railing with base plate and toe bracket

• 10’ - $400 + installation

– Or cable (Rome Hosp.)• Requires welder

– Rail or wire must support at least 200 # on top rail

– Must have toe board located on surface • 2x4 – catches stuff before it falls

• Used anywhere distance to ground >=6’– Forms at Rome Hosp– Includes all ladders and stairways

• Also need nets for long vertical distances and over water

Trenches

• Any trench over 4’ deep – need ladder every 25’ for access– Over 5’ deep need to modify trench walls– Can bench trench walls or slope away from

opening– May need to use trench box or sheet piles– Trenches are inspected on daily basis

• Adds to excavation cost

Eyes, Ears, nose and throat

• Cutting concrete, solvents, cement, demolition

• Sawing, drilling, hammering

• Pneumatic hammers

• Etc

OSHA Regs

• Regs