Posted January 30, 2002 Manufacturing News OSHA Steel Erection Standard Takes Effect The nation's iron workers have enhanced workplace safety protections as a result of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new steel erection standard, which goes into effect today. The standard improves iron worker protection by placing emphasis on the most serious hazards in the steel erection industry. These include working under loads; hoisting, landing and placing decking; column stability; double connections; landing and placing steel joists, and falls to lower levels. This rule is the first OSHA safety standard developed under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 and the Department of Labor's negotiated rulemaking policy. Developed in conjunction with industry and union groups, the new rule is expected to save employers nearly $40 million a year. Although the new steel erection requirements are now in effect, OSHA will not conduct general schedule inspections until March 19, 2002. The Manufacturing Report © Copyright 2002 by Lionheart Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. E-mail Editorial Dept: tmr-editorial@lionhrtpub.com Lionheart Publishing, Inc. 2555 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 299, Atlanta, GA 30339 USA Phone: 770-431-0867 | Fax: 770-432-6969 E-mail: lpi@lionhrtpub.com