Michigan Ironworkers Seek Approval to Stand on Headache Ball
November 16, 2005 — The Department of Labor and Economic Growth in the state of Michigan announced it will conduct a public hearing on November 29 to allow all persons an opportunity to present data, views, questions, and arguments relative to a proposed amendment presented by Michigan workers involved in steel erection after Federal OSHA cited the standard is “not as effective as” their comparable standard 1926 Subpart R • Steel Erection.
The proposed amendment has been presented to clarify the definition of “headache ball,” add a definition for “load line standing platform,” and specifically state when and how a connector may be lifted to the workstation via a headache ball to MIOSHA's R 408.2605 standard. In short, with the addition of the load line standing platform in the standard, ironworkers will be able to stand on a platform attached to the headache ball as it is lifted. The proposed amendments were originally published in the October 15 edition of the Michigan Register. Copies of the amendments may be obtained from www.michigan.gov/mioshastandards under the ‘What's New' section.
At a recent Safety Committee meeting of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, members were encouraged to comment on the
Persons attending the hearings are urged to submit a written summary of remarks as part of their presentation. The submissions of a written statement will in no way prohibit or limit the right of oral expression by any persons at the hearings. Persons unable to attend the public hearings may submit separate written data, views, and arguments relative to the proposed amendments by mail, e-mail, or facsimile and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 30, 2005.
The public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. on November 29, 2005 at:
Operating Engineers Local 324 •
For more commentary on this issue, see Perspective.
