Ronald E. Koons

Ron Koons is co-owner, along with his wife Sandee, of RoSaKo Safety. RoSaKo has conducted numerous presentations on safety equipment since 1993 and is known as a premier safety consulting firm in surveyor safety.

Do you have a question about OSHA compliance or safety? Email Ron Koons at rosakosafety@prodigy.net with the subject line, “POB Safety Q&A,” and he will address your question in an upcoming issue of POB. You can also find safety tips from Koons on POB’s website at www.pobonline.com.

A Workplace Fatality: How Bad Can it Get Afterwards?

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Ronald E. Koons

May 16, 2014

No Comments

I have had the unpleasant opportunity to consult with companies after a worker was killed while working on several occasions the past few years.

Surveyors Need to Know About OSHA's Proposed Silica Standard

Ronald E. Koons

February 1, 2014

No Comments

I was speaking with a surveyor a few weeks ago and I migrated to a comment on Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed silica regulations. He commented that he didn’t see how that could affect the surveying profession. After I briefly explained the proposal and what it encompassed, he quickly changed his mind.

OSHA, Traffic Safety and the MUTCD

References to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) have been in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations since at least 2001 and possibly earlier.

Ronald E. Koons

February 1, 2014

One Comment

In Subpart G of the 1926 Construction Regulations, three paragraphs for Signs, Flaggers and Barricades tie OSHA directly to the MUTCD for construction activities.

Safety Sense: A Two-Minute Inspection That Can Save a Life

Ronald E. Koons

February 7, 2012

No Comments

I was talking with a surveyor recently just outside his office. As we were wrapping up our conversation, one of his crew vehicles pulled into the parking lot. Two workers got out of the van, and one opened the passenger-side door to retrieve some equipment. What I observed about that vehicle in just a couple of minutes could have generated both OSHA and law enforcement citations, not to mention possible worker injuries or fatalities.

Safety Sense: Safety and the Solo Surveyor

Ronald E. Koons

April 27, 2011

3 Comments

In the June 2004 issue of POB, my column focused on lone worker safety. Since that article, I have been asked questions about one-person crews at every class we conduct. I started this article after observing a one-person crew using a robotic station earlier this year.

Safety Sense: How to Survive an OSHA Inspection

Ronald E. Koons

January 25, 2011

No Comments

Over the past few months, we have assisted clients with more OSHA informal hearings than in any similar period since our company was started 18 years ago. Regardless of whether this represents a more aggressive stance by OSHA or just an unlucky time for our clients, the bottom line is that being prepared can help you avoid costly fines.

Safety Sense: More about OSHA

Ronald E. Koons

December 1, 2010

No Comments

In my June 2010 column (“OSHA goes on the offensive”), I provided an overview of the administrative enhancements to OSHA’s penalty policy and the new OSHA Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). The implementation of these new programs is now beginning.

Safety Sense: OSHA goes on the offensive.

Ronald E. Koons

June 1, 2010

No Comments

In my October 2009 column (“Watch out for the new OSHA”), I addressed a bill that had the potential to drastically increase the OSHA penalty structure if passed by Congress.

Safety Sense: The new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Ronald E. Koons

March 1, 2010

No Comments

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration published a revised version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in the Federal Register on Dec. 16, 2009.

Safety Sense: Watch out for the new OSHA.

Ronald E. Koons

October 1, 2009

No Comments

Let’s face it: We had eight years of a pro-business administration at the Department of Labor. Now, for at least the next four years, look for a lot of changes within OSHA and its DOL agencies.