Building Industry Magazine - April 2014 - (Page 14)

HEALTH & SAFETY, PART II What's Happening with HIOSH and OSHA And How Does It Affect You? BY LEE SCHALLER The Big Change It all began in 2010 when the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) increased its presence in Hawaii in an unprecedented manner, bringing in an area manager and establishing a headquarters here. The stated purpose was to oversee OSHA's expansion in the Islands in the wake of staffing and funding cutbacks at Hawaii Occupational Safety and Heath Division (HIOSH). At that time many of the industry members supported OSHA's increased presence, viewing it overall as a positive action, which would help in compliance and other health and safety areas. Progress has been made in the challenges HIOSH had been facing, and today, says Joaquin Diaz, environmental health and safety director for Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. and past chair of the HIOSH advisory board, "HIOSH currently is on pace to receive full jurisdiction according to its plan, by 2015." But what is the industry sentiment today in light of stepped-up activity by HIOSH and OSHA, including a recent announcement by Patricia Dougherty, assistant secretary of labor, regarding the development of a detailed inspection strategy for all new construction, including the largest project, rail? "We have seen an increased presence from both agencies," says Diaz, "and it has been welcomed. Because of this increased activity, we have seen increased interest in safety." Jonathan Young, president and CEO of ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.) Hawaii chapter, says, "OSHA and HIOSH don't really want to fine you. What they want is 14 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | APRIL 2014 for you to have a safe workplace." Tristan Aldeguer, regional safety manager-Hawaii for dck pacific construction, LLC, feels strongly that contractors large and small must be committed to safety as a core business value and successfully implement their safety programs. "This past year contractors have seen an increase in regulatory inspections Tristan Aldeguer by HIOSH and OSHA," he says. However, with an increase in staffing for HIOSH and support from OSHA, the frequency of safety inspections our local contractors have experienced is quite normal.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - April 2014

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH HIOSH AND OSHA
DEVELOPERS REFLECT ON OAHU’S ‘THIRD CITY’
RENOVATION & REDEVELOPMENT
Departments: Low Bids
Concept To Completion: Aiea Public Library Replacement Facility
Spotlight On Success: Halekauwila Place
Contracts Awarded
NewsMakers
New Products
Best Practices: Life Is a Presentation - Take Off Your Mask
NEWS BEAT President’s Budget Includes $250M for Rail
Clean Energy Comes to Port of Honolulu
New Subdivision Planned Near Honolulu
New Center Set for KPHC

Building Industry Magazine - April 2014