The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the continuation of its region-wide special emphasis program aimed at reducing employee injuries and deaths in the construction industry resulting from falls, contact with overhead power lines, and the use of scaffolds.

Charles E. Adkins, CIH, OSHA regional administrator said, "Effective immediately, the initiative will operate in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. OSHA Area Offices will conduct extensive outreach to encourage voluntary compliance by employers and employees, and to increase community awareness of fall hazards and others related to scaffolds and overhead power lines."

During the last 10 years, 39 percent of the fatal and catastrophic incidents within the three-state area occurred in the construction industry. Falls accounted for 38 percent of the incidents and 17 percent were due to electrocutions. More than half of the electrocution fatalities involved contact with overhead power lines.