Written by: Darlene Fossum Area Director, OSHA
Many workers, who specialize in the labor of roofing and carpentry for small employers with 10 or less employees, expire each year at their workplace in Central and South Florida.
In the past five years the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), investigated 29 fatalities related with these industries. Sixty percent (60%) of these losses of human lives were directly related with falls while conducting daily labor.
The fundamental task of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries and illnesses, and protect workers in the United States. In an effort to reduce the number of fatalities in roofing and carpentry industries, our Agency is providing information to educate employers and employees on how to identify and avoid possible accident factors. This information contains assistance on the development and implementation of Safety and Health Management Systems. Similarly, OSHA is also increasing inspections and other activities in work areas to aid in the reduction of accidents and fatalities in the construction industry within Central and South Florida.
OSHA does not only provide assistance for employers and employees to understand and comply with established laws by the Federal government, but it also offers free consultation on subjects related to safety and occupational health through an independent program with the University of South Florida (USF). This program is confidential and does not bear penalties or fines, when violations are discovered.
With your assistance, the goal for OSHA is to prevent and reduce accidents and illnesses within workplaces during 2008.
*For more information about OSHA programs, visit our website http://www.osha.gov/. You could also call us at the following telephone number (954) 424-0242 or visit the office located at 8040 Peters Road, Suite H-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324.
