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Obama administration emphasizes fall protection

By WTOP Staff

TOM RAUM
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 1 million U.S. workers and over 25,000 businesses are expected to participate in “safety stand-downs” in all 50 states this week to emphasize the importance of workplace safety and guarding against falls, the Obama administration said Monday.

“The economy is on the rebound, housing starts are on the rise and the summer construction season is getting underway. Now is the time to focus on this vital safety issue and make sure all construction workers come home at the end of every workday,” Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez told a news media conference call.

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Almost 300 construction workers died in falls in 2012 and thousands more were injured, Perez said.

The Labor Department said 2012 statistics were used because they were the most up-to-date, confirmable ones available.

And it’s not just the construction industry, Perez added. “Fatal falls and injuries touch workers in all kinds of jobs across the country.”

The National Fall Safety Stand-Down was being organized by the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). During the week-long observance, companies and workers are being asked to pause at some point during their workdays to talk about hazards of falls and how to prevent them.

David Michaels, the assistant labor secretary who heads OSHA, said the “lack of fall protection” is the most-frequently cited OSHA violation.

He said the various events this week would emphasize “common-sense” steps necessary to prevent such mishaps. “Young workers, new workers, temporary workers are all especially vulnerable,” Michaels said. “We want to make sure that no one’s first day on the job is their last.”

“We emphasize planning ahead and providing the right equipment: Guard rails, safety harnesses, lines and anchors. And training all employees. These simple steps can save lives,” Michaels said.

Among the planned activities:

–The U.S. Air Force will host fall stand-down events at their bases world-wide throughout the week.

–At the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, now undergoing extensive renovation, NASCA race car driver Greg Biffle will demonstrate fall protection on Wednesday by strapping on a “fall-arrest system” harness with hundreds of construction workers.

–Events at construction sites across Texas were being held Monday.

–Clark Construction Group was hosting a stand-down at the Stanford University Center in Palo Alto, Calif.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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