In OSHA Regulations and their Complexity construction site expert witness William Gulya, Jr., President & CEO, Middlesex Trenching Company, writes:
Staying competent with OSHA, EPA or other agency regulations can be difficult and sometimes exasperating. This can be particularly challenging when the people charged with their enforcement are sometimes a little fuzzy about their interpretation and application. Still, organizations and contractors are held responsible for understanding the rules and regulations under which they operate. So the complexity of agency regulations and the obscure manner in which they are sometimes published and enforced must also be clearly understood by experts.
Find the right path Having more than one person, such as a research assistant, look for answers or even figure out exactly what questions to ask can be a big help. I will often have two or three of my research assistants look into a tough question or the applicability of an ambiguous rule or regulation. We sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to industry colleagues to tap into their information and experience. This just may lead you down a path you had not previously considered.
William Gulya, Jr., President & CEO, Middlesex Trenching Company for more than 35 years, specializes in excavation & construction site preparation – earthwork and grading, water mains, sewer installation, trenching, containment, underground utilities, dike repair, heavy equipment rentals. www.siteworkexpert.com