Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH)
Minutes of May 7-8, 2014 Meeting

U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
The meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) was called to order by Chairman Erich J. (Pete) Stafford at 9 am on Thursday, May 8, 2014. The following members and OSHA staff were present:
                                     NAME
                              SECTOR REPRESENTED
                           TITLE & ORGANIZATION
Kristi Barber 
Employer Representative
President, GBA Construction, Inc., Glenn C. Barber & Associates, Inc.
Jeremy Bethancourt 
Public Representative
Co-Owner and Program Director, Arizona Construction Training Alliance
Christine Branch 
Federal Representative 
Director, CDC- NIOSH, Office of Construction Safety and Health 
Kevin R. Cannon
Employer Representative
Director of Safety and Health Services, The Associated General Contractors of America
Sarah Coyne
Employee Representative
Executive Assistant Director, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades/Finishing Trades Institute
Letitia K. Davis
Public Representative
Director, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Steven Hawkins 
State Representative
Administrator, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Walter Jones
Employee Representative
Associate Director, Occupational Safety & Health, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund
Thomas Marrero, Jr. 
Employer Representative
National Safety Director, Tradesmen International, Inc.
Jerry Rivera
Employer Representative
Regional Safety Director, Power Design Inc.
Donald L. Pratt
Employer Representative
President & CEO, Construction Education and Consulting Services of Michigan
Laurie A. Shadrick 
Employee Representative
Training Specialist, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters
Erich J. (Pete) Stafford
Employee Representative
Director of Safety and Health, Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO; Executive Director, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training
Charles Stribling
State Representative
OSH Federal-State Coordinator, Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Workplace Standards
Lisa A. Wilson
ACCSH Counsel
Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Dept. of Labor
Dean McKenzie
Designated Federal Official
Deputy Director, Directorate of Construction, DOL- OSHA
Opening Remarks
Speaker: Chairman Pete Stafford
Chairman Stafford welcomed the attendees and provided an overview of the meeting agenda. He informed the audience that if they wanted to address the committee, they must sign up to be recognized during the public comment period at the conclusion of the day.
Office of Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health presentation
Speaker: Ms. Deborah Berkowitz, Senior Policy Advisor
Ms. Berkowitz welcomed ACCSH members and all others in attendance and thanked them for their participation in the ACCSH workgroups and for their involvement in the Workers Memorial OSHA event in DC. She informed them that the Agency had been particularly busy over the last several months, and provided brief updates on OSHA regulatory activities, general outreach activities, and enforcement activities. 
Directorate of Construction Regulatory Update
Speaker: Mr. Dean McKenzie, Deputy Director, OSHA Directorate of Construction
Using the "DOC Updates 2014" PowerPoint presentation, Dean McKenzie presented the update, which included statistics, some of the more significant issues involving current and proposed construction standards, pre-rule initiatives and outreach, and the 2014 Fall Prevention Campaign Stand Down.
For the Power Point presentation: "DOC Updates 2014," refer to Exhibit 7 of May 8, 2014.
Training and Outreach Workgroup Report 
Speaker: Mr. Jerry Rivera, Employer Representative 
Mr. Rivera read the Training and Outreach Workgroup Report, which reflected the group's May 7, 2014 discussion of possible amendments to the OSHA 502 course, Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers. The workgroup emphasized that it was not able to make a strong recommendation because there was no OSHA OTI representation during the workgroup meeting.
Motion#1: Walter Jones moved that ACCSH approve the Training and Outreach Work Group report. The motion was seconded by Donald Pratt. It passed unanimously. 
Motion #2: Jerry Rivera moved that the Training and Outreach Workgroup recommend that ACCSH and OTI staff meet to evaluate current training and enabling objectives of the OSHA #502. Letitia Davis amended the motion to add "and alternatives to meet those objectives" at the end of the motion. The amended motion was seconded by Donald Pratt. It passed unanimously.
For the Training and Outreach Workgroup Report, refer to Exhibit 8 of May 8, 2014.
Temporary Worker Workgroup Report
Speaker: Mr. Jeremy Betancourt, Public Representative 
Mr. Betancourt presented the workgroup report. On May 7, 2014 the workgroup members heard a presentation from Mr. Steven Dwyer and Ms. La Tonia James Rouse of the American Staffing Association, who provided information about their program, how they train temporary workers, and their existing OSHA Alliance. In addition, the workgroup discussed the OSHA Temporary Worker Initiative (TWI) and the challenges that OSHA is experiencing in developing several best practice documents for this specific group of employees. Because of the unique aspects of the construction industry (highly mobile and rapidly changing), the group believes that there should be a separate guidance document for temporary workers in the construction industry, and ACCSH should consider inviting host employers and temporary workers to the next meeting to provide input on this topic. The workgroup also would like to invite stakeholders to review temporary workers documents developed by the Agency. They also would like an ACCSH representative to be part of the OSHA Temporary Worker Initiative group. Lastly, they would like to be informed about decisions and information that has been discussed in other NACOSH and NIOSH groups dealing with temporary workers.
Motion: Christine Branche moved that ACCSH approve the Temporary Worker Work Group report. The motion was seconded by Laurie Shadrick. It passed unanimously.
For the Temporary Worker Workgroup report, refer to Exhibit 9 of May 8, 2014. 
Proposed Rule to Update OSHA Standard on Eye and Face Protection in Construction
Speaker: Mr. Kenneth Stevanus, OSHA/DSG, accompanied by SOL representative Kimberly Robinson.
Mr. Stevanus's presentation reviewed the recent (2009 and 2012) updates in eye-and-face protection, head protection, and foot protection standards for general industry, shipyard/marine terminals and longshoring. OSHA is proposing to update its personal protective equipment standards for eye and face protection including the construction standard as well as the standards for general industry, shipyard/marine terminals and longshoring.
Mr. Stevanus reviewed the two options with ACCSH for changing the construction standard. He then asked the Committee to provide its recommendation for proceeding with either Option One or Option Two. He said OSHA intends to propose one option as a Notice of Public Rulemaking.
The options presented were:
   1.       Option one is to update the construction standard for eye and face protection, 1926.102, by replacing the provisions of 1926.102(a)(1) through (a)(3), and (a)(7) with the provisions found in general industry standard at 1910.133(a)(1) through (a0(4) and 1810.133(b). 
   2.       Option Two is similar to Option 1, except OSHA would substitute only current 1926.102(a)(2) with the list of updated consensus standards from 1910.133(b)(1) and the equivalent-protection provision in paragraph (b)(2) of the general industry standard. 
Motion: Walter Jones moved that ACCSH support option #1 for the update to the eye and face protection standard in construction. Thomas Marrero seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 
For further details about Mr. Stevanus's presentation, refer to Exhibit 10 of May 8, 2014 (Proposed Rule to Update OSHA Standard on Eye and Face Protection in Construction)
Health Hazards, Emerging Issues and Prevention through Design Workgroup Report
Speaker: Mr. Walter Jones, Employee Representative, Associate Director, Occupational Safety & Health, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund
Mr. Jones presented the workgroup report and pointed out that the work group discussed what a focus four for health for construction might look like. He pointed out that the majority of construction incidents are safety related rather than health related. Although health hazards can take a lengthy period of time to manifest, they are as important as safety hazards. He reported examples of health hazard issues that occurred in construction, e.g. respiratory, hearing, dermal absorption, and musculoskeletal. He discussed the possibility of adding a focus four for health to the OSHA 10 or 30 training. Most of the workgroup members believe there should be a construction health awareness campaign utilizing the OSHA website to help raise the profile of health hazards. Some members expressed their opinion that increasing the hours of the OSHA 10 was not advisable, even though adding health hazards would be a good change to the OSHA 10 training. Christine Branche reminded the group that funding for NIOSH's Adult Blood Lead Epidemiological and Surveillance (ABLES) program had been eliminated. 
Motion: Donald Pratt moved that ACCSH approve the Health Hazards, Emerging Issues, and Prevention Through Design Work Group report. Thomas Marrero seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
For the Health Hazards, Emerging Issues and Prevention through Design Workgroup report, refer to exhibit 11 of May 8, 2014. 
OSHA's Proposed Rule for Beryllium: Alternatives for Construction
Speaker: Ms. Tiffany DeFoe, accompanied by Ms. Maureen Ruskin, Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG).
Ms. DeFoe reported that the proposal for the new beryllium standard is nearly complete, and OSHA is now in the final stages of preparing the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to send to OMB for review prior to publication in the Federal Register. She recapped some of the information presented during the last meeting and presented a few specific regulatory options for ACCSH consideration.
The options presented were:
   1.       Option One is to reduce the construction industry exposure limit to 0.1 or 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter and introduce a STEL. This would improve protection for helpers, cleanup workers, and other workers who might be working in the vicinity of a blasting operation, as well as provide better protection for operators in instances where respiratory equipment isn't functioning correctly. 
   2.       Option Two is to reduce the TWA PEL, add a STEL, and also add a medical surveillance requirement for the construction industry, which would make physical exams and testing for beryllium sensitization available to workers depending on their beryllium exposure, and would offer screening for chronic beryllium disease (CBD) to workers who are found to be sensitized.
   3.       Lastly, Option Three would include construction in the scope of the proposed rule, and the construction protections would include all the ancillary provisions applicable in general industry. The provisions OSHA is considering include the reduced PEL, a STEL, exposure assessment, regulated areas, methods of compliance including a written exposure control plan, respiratory protection and PPE, hygiene areas, housekeeping, medical surveillance, medical removal, communication of hazards, and recordkeeping.
Some of the ACCSH members asked OSHA for more information concerning the proposed new requirements, including the draft regulatory text, and their impact on construction employers, saying they needed this information to provide OSHA with a formal recommendation. One member noted that impact in the construction industry would be primarily with abrasive blasters and those working near the blasters and thus exposed, including clean-up workers. Most of the hazards and problems are encountered in general industry. Outside abrasive blasters including helpers, OSHA doesn't expect much risk at all in construction industry. Ms. Defoe asked that if any ACCSH member has any information/data, to please provide it to OSHA. Option One and Option Two would lower the PEL, and Option Three would lower the PEL and require additional activities.
Public comments presented were:
   1.       Paul Mellon compared beryllium, silica, sand/glass exposures and toxicity. He referenced an OSHA study that beryllium exposures routinely exceed current PEL. Employers always have option to use non-beryllium containing abrasive materials, for example, crushed glass. Option Three brings beryllium in line with protections for asbestos, lead, and other exposures.
   2.       Dominic DeAngelo, VP of Sales and Marketing, Harsco Metals and Minerals, formerly Reed Minerals, the largest U.S. manufacturer of coal slag abrasives for the surface preparation market. He was unaware of any direct correlation between their Black Beauty brand of coal slag abrasives and beryllium disease or beryllium sensitization. Concern with Option Three's impact on the abrasive market: how to monitor/control at thousands of work sites? Option Three's costs are excessive and unwarranted. ACCSH Sarah Coyne asked, "Do you support a lower PEL?" Mr. DeAngelo responded there was need to enforce proper PPE. Ms. Coyne said that PPE does not eliminate exposure. In her experience, she would start blasting and immediately be covered in dust.
   3.       Keith Wrightson, Worker Safety and Health Advocate with Public Citizen's Congress Watch Division. In 2001 Public Citizen petitioned OSHA to lower the beryllium PEL to 0.2. The process has been stalled for 13 years. Public Citizen strongly supports Option Three. Public Citizen now recommends a PEL of 0.1 and the Option Three provisions.
Christine Branche moved that ACCSH vote on the options OSHA presented today for the beryllium rulemaking. Jeremy Bethancourt seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 
Ten members then voted for Option #3, and four members abstained.
Walter Jones moved that ACCSH recommend that OSHA proceed with Option #3 for the NPRM in the beryllium rulemaking. Steven Hawkins seconded. The motion passed by a vote of ten for and four against. 
Ms. DeFoe's presentation, "OSHA's Proposed Rule for Beryllium," can be found in exhibit 12 of May 8, 2014. 
Proposed Standards Improvements Project (SIP) IV Rulemaking
Speakers: Paul Bolon and Dayton Eckerson, OSHA Directorate of Construction
Mr. Eckerson reported the proposed regulatory text changes under SIP-IV for several OSHA standards. The SIP-IV candidates presented for revision under 1926 are Subpart G- Signs, Signals, and Barricades; Proposed revision to 1926.605 Marine Operations and Equipment; and Subpart S - Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams and Compressed Air. 
Mr. Stribling wants OSHA to insert the chimney variance into SIP-IV and/or address this issue as a non-mandatory standard. An SOL representative stated that companies are already complying with the chimney variance. Mr. Bolon stated that DOC would reconsider this issue. 
Christine Branche moved that ACCSH recommend that OSHA proceed with the proposed amendments to § 1926.200(g), 1926.800(k)(10), and 1926.605(a) in the Standards Improvement Project - Phase IV rulemaking. Walter Jones seconded. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 
For further details about the SIP-IV candidates, refer to Exhibit 16 of May 8, 2014. 
Proposed Technical Amendments and Corrections to OSHA's Cranes and Derricks Standards
Speakers: Paul Bolon and Ashley Briefel, OSHA Directorate of Construction, and Richard Ewell, SOL
Ms. Briefel discussed crane amendments that OSHA recommends for the existing crane standard. The recommended amendments include changes regarding the digger derrick definition, multi-purpose machines, stabilizer position sensor/monitors on articulating cranes, and proximity alarms and insulating links. 
Public Comments 
Lance Burney, Executive Director, SIG ALARM, Sanford, FL. Mr. Burney identified his company, SIG ALARM, as one of a very few manufacturers in the United States of proximity alarms. He stated there are a few other manufacturers elsewhere in the world. His position was that an added requirement for NRTL approval or additional criteria was unnecessary. There have been no accidents on equipment using proximity alarms. NRTL approval is an extremely expensive process, and there is a lack of interest to pursue. He suggested there be language addressing two concerns: 1) operating the equipment with a boom angle and length significantly different than that used for the device's last sensitivity adjustment; and 2) operating the equipment on sites with multiple overhead power lines, especially where those power lines had differing voltages or involved intersecting installations. 
Art Sapper, representing theCrane Power Line Safety Organization. Mr. Sapper focused on the issue of insulating links. He said that since no NRTL can approve insulating links, OSHA is recommending removing insulating links from the standard. Mr. Sapper believes that there are alternatives that should be considered before eliminating insulating links from the standard. These include certification by qualified testing laboratory, e.g. 1926.449; and certification by manufacturer, e.g., 1926.105(d), 1926.453(a)(2). In addition, other regulations under the crane standard require employers to follow manufacturer recommendations. 
Mr. Sapper then discussed the issue of insulating links that work when wet or dirty and whether self-checks are not needed when using gloves. If OSHA removes insulating links from the standard because NRTL approval is not available, it will degrade employee safety for no reason.
Motion: Steven Hawkins moved that ACCSH recommend to the agency that they proceed with rulemaking to pursue the changes in the Cranes and Derricks construction standard for the definition of digger derricks, to multi-purpose machines, and to stabilizer position sensors and monitors on articulated cranes, and that they maintain options for employers to use proximity alarms and insulated links in a safe manner. Christine Branche seconded. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 

