Public meeting planned for US 93 project in Wickenburg

Public encouraged to attend and receive updates on final plans
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to present final design plans for an upcoming project that will improve traffic flow on US 93 between SR 89 and Tegner Street in Wickenburg.

The public meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Wickenburg Community Center on 160 N. Valentine St., will present project information and give the public opportunities to provide comments.

The project includes widening US 93 to two lanes in each direction, constructing raised center medians and constructing frontage roads and roundabouts at Rincon, Cope, Vulture Mine and Scenic Loop roads, and at State Route 89.

Construction is currently scheduled for fiscal year 2020.

Residents, business owners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting, learn more about the project and submit comments. Representatives from the ADOT study team will be available to answer questions.

If you cannot attend the meeting, there are other ways to submit comments:

  • Phone: 855.712.8530
  • Online: Visit azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu
  • Mail written comments or questions to:
    ADOT Communications
    1109 Commerce Drive
    Prescott, AZ 86301
    Attn: Deborrah Miller

All comments must be received by April 5 to be included in the public record.

For more information on this and other US 93 projects, visitazdot.gov/US93corridor.

March is National Ladder Safety Month

Every year more than 100 workers are fatally injured and thousands suffer disabling injuries in ladder-related incidents. In March, the American Ladder Institute is sponsoring its annual National Ladder Safety Month to promote ladder safety at work and home. OSHA will be participating in two symposiums on March 13 in Houston, Texas, (register to attend in person or via live webcast) and March 19 in Arlington, Texas, (register to attend in person or via live webcast).

OSHA Urges Employers to Prevent Worker Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

OSHA is reminding employers to take necessary precautions to protect workers from the potentially fatal effects of carbon monoxide exposure. Every year, workers die from carbon monoxide poisoning, usually while using fuel-burning equipment, tools, compressors and pumps, gas-powered forklifts, and other devices in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. To reduce the risk of exposure, employers should install an effective ventilation system, use carbon monoxide detectors, and take other precautions as described in OSHA’s Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet. Other OSHA resources include videos (in English and Spanish), QuickCards (in English and Spanish), and a fact sheet on portable generator safety.

Sixth Annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls: May 6-10, 2019

OSHA and its partners will host events throughout the country in honor of the sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction May 6-10, 2019. Employers and workers will pause to talk about fall hazards, OSHA compliance, and industry best practices to prevent falls. The 2019 poster is now available on OSHA’s publications page.

Reporting 2018 Injury and Illness Data

March 2, 2019, is the deadline for electronically reporting your OSHA Form 300A data for calendar year 2018. Collection will begin January 2, 2019.

OSHA published a Final Rule to amend its recordkeeping regulation to remove the requirement to electronically submit to OSHA information from the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) for establishments with 250 or more employees that are required to routinely keep injury and illness records. Covered establishments are only required to electronically submit information from the OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). The requirement to keep and maintain OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 for five years is not changed by this Final Rule.

Remember, not all establishments are covered by this requirement. To review which establishments need to provide their data, click here.

OSHA delays enforcement of crane operator documentation requirements for ‘good faith’ employers

Employers who make “good faith efforts” to document their evaluations of crane operators have an additional 60 days to comply with OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Operator Certification Extension, according to a Feb. 7 enforcement memorandum from the agency. Continue Reading»

Bulletin Addresses Safety for Workers Wearing Devices Containing Lithium Batteries

new OSHA bulletin addresses hazards associated with small, wearable devices powered by lithium batteries, such as body cameras. If these devices are damaged or defective, they may catch fire or explode. Employers should ensure that workers are trained to properly use, store, and charge these devices; identify, remove, and properly dispose of damaged or defective devices and batteries; and provide information on their health and physical hazards.

A lithium battery-powered body camera.