Authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to conduct hearings on worker safety and health at construction sites in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees; and

WHEREAS, Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health; and

WHEREAS, OSHA has reported that 1,224 construction workers died nationwide last year, and 39 percent were the result of falls; and

WHEREAS, In OSHA's Philadelphia District, which includes Delaware County, there have been 15 fatal construction accidents in the last 12 months, and about half have been the result of falls; and

WHEREAS, A worker cleaning up a multimillion-dollar Symphony House construction site in Center City fell through a barrier and to his death on September 20, 2006; and

WHEREAS, The subcontractor on the condominium project has a history over the past ten years of numerous safety violations; and

WHEREAS, Since conditions change at construction sites, it is imperative that companies follow federal law and install a safe perimeter that is six feet high for the safety of the workers; and

WHEREAS, This responsibility falls on the general contractor and subcontractor to make sure such perimeters are secure; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Labor and Civil Service is authorized to conduct hearings on worker safety and health at construction sites in the City of Philadelphia.

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