Construction Accidents Prompt OSHA Review

A U.S. House of Representatives committee is planning a review of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a result of recent construction deaths in Las Vegas and other major cities.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., said a workforce protection subcommittee will review whether safety standards adequate and being followed.

“What’s happening in Las Vegas and other major cities, including New York … there’s this need to move faster” to build quickly and meet construction deadlines, Woolsey said. “It’s taking its toll and it’s killing or injuring our workers — all so some big buildings can get built quickly.”

Ten construction workers have died during the past 17 months while working on Las Vegas Strip projects, drawing the attention of officials with the House Education and Labor Commit-tee, a spokesman said. “Our committee has seen similar patterns across the country,” he added.

Woolsey and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., want tougher penalties for employers that violate workplace safety rules, and have introduced legislation to increase fines and make it easier for workers to appeal rulings. The bill would also raise criminal penalties, making repeat workplace violations a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Some say increasing penalties alone won’t work and is a move in the wrong direction. The bill “does not incorporate measures for preventing accidents and instead focuses on action following a tragedy,” said Kelly Knott of the industry group Associated General contractors.