Construction) and Co-Vice Chair of the Safety & Health Council Justin Wheaton (Skanska USA Civil West), was able to provide feedback on how the construction industry wants the new standard to be written to ensure equity across the industry. As the regulation was previously writ-


ten, many of its definitions and verbiage were vague and subject to interpretation. AGC of California and its members be- lieved this left loopholes that could result in contractors being able to “work around” the standard. As a leading advocate for the construction industry, AGC of California seeks to ensure that the standard is clear and concise and uniformly applicable. Te goal is to create an even playing field for not just regulating this standard, but also for the bidding of future projects. Te new Cal/OSHA Advisory Com- mittee was convened based on previous requests to receive a new or updated standard, as well as the decision by the Cal/OSHA Standards Board to grant Petition 587 (Zampa and McClelland), which requested Cal/OSHA to develop a permanent rulemaking that clarifies when a Construction Personnel Hoist (CPH) needs to be installed.


The Regulation in Current Form A few things that Section 1630, Elevators for Hoisting Workers (the regulation) covers include: • When a CPH needs to be installed. • At what heights the CPH needs to be installed.


• When landings need to be installed.


Te newly updated regulation would: • Allow emergency responders to reach and evacuate workers expeditiously in the event of an injury.


• Allow for a safer work environment where workers can use the hoist rather than stairs to haul tools and equipment to upper floors.


As a leading advocate for the construction industry, AGC seeks to ensure that the elevator regulation standard is clear and concise and uniformly applicable. The goal: to create an even playing field for not just regulating this standard, but also as it pertains to the bidding of future projects.


• Allow for emergency access to upper floors in a timelier manner.


• Allow stocking of the building without the use of additional equipment such as forklifts and cranes.


Changes Sought by AGC of California on Behalf of the Industry AGC of California and its member rep- resentatives advocated for a “definitions section” to be added to the standard. Tis section would be used to help with the clarity of the standard. Examples of what words would be in the definition section include: ground level, operating, landing height, floor depth, etc. Members from both the building and


heavy civil industry expressed their frus- tration around “alternative access plans” as currently stated in the standards. Tese plans get submitted to Cal/OSHA when contractors are unable to have a CPH on their project; however, Cal/OSHA does not clearly define what content needs to be in the contractors’ “alternative access plan” for it to get approved. AGC of California advocated that


Cal/OSHA needs to define what must be listed in an “alternate access plan” so companies can ensure that their plan is approved, rather than going through


the effort of creating the plan only for it to get denied. Te industry advisory committee will


be reconvening at a later date to continue their review of the standard, as they were unable to address the entire proposed regulation during the day-long August meeting. AGC of California member representa-


tive Michael Holland, area safety manager for Clark Construction, was among those involved in providing member input as part of the Cal/OSHA advisory committee “There was a good representation


from general contractors and the Western Steel Council,” Holland said. “I believe everyone is committed to revising the language in 1630 so it is understandable and addresses unique circumstances for alternative access such as towers and bridges. Te Division (Cal/OSHA) appeared willing to work with everyone to find mutual language that was reason- able as well.”


Tresten Keys


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022


25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32