Advisory Committee on Construction Safety & Health
Health Hazard, Emerging Issues & Prevention through Design
Work Group Report

December 3, 2014
USDOL Washington, DC
1-3:00PM

ACCSH Members Present:
Dr. Christine Branche
Director, Office of Construction Safety & Health
NIOSH

Charles Stribling
OSH Federal State Coordinator
Kentucky Labor Cabinet

Donald Pratt
President & CEO
Construction Education & Consultation
Services of Michigan

Steven Hawkins
Administrator
Tennessee OSHA

 

  1. George Kennedy, of the National Utility Contractors Assoc., described the hazards associated with horizontal directional drilling. The presentation was requested, given that problems experienced with directional drilling seem to be outpacing regulations (standards?)

    During our discussion, key issues emerged concerning the locator (e.g., the contractor tasked with locating existing utility lines before drilling or digging commences.

    The discussion closed with the work group and guests agreeing on the following:

    • Locaters need better training
    • Better and more detailed maps are needed for existing utility lines
    • Utility companies should step up to their responsibilities

     

    Best practices are available at www.commongroundalliance.com

  2. The work group had a brief discussion on construction focus for health hazards.

    Questions emerged on how focus for health could become confused with construction focus for safety. We agreed that marketing this will need to proceed carefully. We discussed briefly also what the four health topics would be, but no decisions were made.