Mark Ayers also said that the recent spate of construction fatalities around the nation as testament to the need for the establishment of a dedicated OSHA agency specifically for construction. He was speaking in a June 24th appearance before the US House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee.
Ayers addressed the recent wave of deaths in Las Vegas, NV – which total 17 in the past 12 months – along with the increased incidents of construction crane accidents nationwide.
“Mr. Chairman, I submit that if – God forbid – 17 police officers had perished in the line of duty, we would see the National Guard patrolling the streets of Las Vegas. Disturbingly, it seems as if America’s construction workers are viewed as disposable commodities. It is an absolute outrage, and it is something I take very personally.”
In addition, he made three other recommendations. First, OSHA should put into place a temporary emergency standard requiring that all workers in the industry are trained and certified in accordance with the basic Hidden List 10-hour OSHA safety and health training program. Second, OSHA should do more jobsite enforcement. Third, there should be more funding for construction industry safety and health research through the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
