The union held a news conference recently to promote the need for safety on construction sites. During the news conference, a gray hearse pulled up carrying two wooden coffins marked Mr. and Ms. Safety Complacency. The two coffins were pulled out of the hearse and union members shoveled dirt on top to signify the burying of safety complacency.

The union is calling for increased safety awareness, particularly in the construction industry. The state has seen two residential construction workers die since January. In light of that, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America is extending its free safety training to both nonunion and union workers, Daniel Dyrdahl, Local 1977 president, said.

"We want every carpenter (to go) home alive every day," Dyrdahl said.

Tom Czehowski, chief administrative officer of the Nevada Occupational Safety & Health Administration, said Nevada OSHA has investigated 23 work-related deaths since July. That total includes any deaths on the job, from workplace violence to vehicle accidents and deaths that are a result of safety violations. He said in fiscal year 2003, which began in July 2002, Nevada OSHA officials investigated 18 job-related deaths.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45 workers died on the job in Nevada in 2002 and 40 died in 2001. Dyrdahl said he respects the Occupational Safety and Health Act but said OSHA lacks the funding to effectively enforce the act.

Dyrdahl also said the largely nonunion residential construction industry is more vulnerable to accidents than other segments of the construction industry because OSHA regulations don't address the needs of residential construction. He said piece rates in residential construction, where workers get paid per job completed, encourage workers to care more about speed than safety.

He also said tie-off points are a matter of concern. He said OSHA requires workers who work above the ground to have a harness tied to something that can support at least 5,000 pounds. He said a house that is under construction can't support that kind of weight.

"The most common cause of death is death from a fall in construction," Dyrdahl said.

However, Czehowski said Nevada OSHA enforces safety equally at every employer's facility. He said Nevada OSHA officials do about 3,000 job-site inspections a year, both random ones and those that are the result of complaints.

However, he said his office can't possibly perform inspections at every employer's facility on a regular basis.

Monica Caruso, spokeswoman of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, said the residential construction industry is well regulated by OSHA and that the union is just making a jab at the largely nonunion residential construction industry.

"The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association is not aware of any OSHA or state safety agency concerns about our industry. It appears that a union is attempting to use this to knock a largely nonunion industry," Caruso said.

Dyrdahl denied that allegation.

"Our intention on this is we really are concerned about all people who work at our trade. For somebody to get killed trying to make a living is unacceptable," Dyrdahl said.

Richard Thomas, vice president of Gary G. Day Construction Co. Inc., a framing contractor, said although the residential construction industry is largely nonunion, companies within the industry have in-depth safety programs.

Thomas, who is also president of the Framing Contractors Association, said companies share safety information among themselves. He also said the Associated General Contractors, the Associated Building Contractors and the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association all have training programs. He said Gary G. Day also has a thorough program.

"We have a very intense safety program. We have tailgate meetings, where our safety officers will pull up on the job site and stop work and go over different safety issues," Thomas said.

With the increase of new jobs in Nevada comes more job-related fatalities, Czehowski said.

"As you continue to increase your labor force in any type of industry, you are increasing your exposure (to job related injuries and deaths)," Czehowski said.

There has been an increase of about 49,200 jobs over the past 12 months, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

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Jeff Pyle, owner of the Las Vegas office of Express Personnel Services and a spokesman for the group, said the group will offer industry-related education and training services.

"Our goal is to represent the staffing industry in a positive light to government bodies and the general public," Pyle said.

Alana Roberts covers courts and labor relations for In Business Las Vegas and its sister publication, the Las Vegas Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-4059 or by e-mail at alanar@lasvegassun.com.