Construction Industry Safety: OSHA Requirements You Should Know

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This is a federal organization that is responsible for regulating safety and health on all work sites in the United States. It was established in 1971 and has the authority to enforce specific safety and health standards in certain industries. 

As an example, construction projects that have a certain dollar amount or have more than one construction contractor involved must follow the OSHA standards. OSHA also inspects construction sites to ensure that employers are in compliance with these standards.

OSHA has published standards related to several hazards that are commonly found at construction sites. The following are examples of the standards that are in place to protect construction workers. 

Falls: OSHA published a standard regulating fall hazards in construction, and it applies to workers who are both on the ground and at heights. OSHA also published a standard for excavations that addresses fall hazards for workers who are on the ground. Hazards related to falls may include climbing equipment, scaffolding, ladders, and other tools that may lead to serious injury. 

Respiratory Protection: Construction workers may be exposed to a variety of harmful substances, including dust, mold spores, chemical fumes, and harmful gases. OSHA's standard on respiratory protection addresses the hazards that may occur when respiratory protection is needed on a jobsite, such as during demolition or when using power tools that create debris containing dust. 

Electric Hazards: Electric hazards are often found in construction work, including installations, maintenance, and work that involves the use of tools. Aerial lifts and forklifts also pose a serious risk to workers on the ground. 

Workplace Violence: Workplace violence is always a concern in any industry, but construction has special circumstances that make it particularly dangerous. For example, construction workers may be exposed to verbal abuse, threats of violence, or physical altercations. 

Confined Spaces: Confined spaces are areas where hazards are present that workers cannot fully control. This can include work inside tanks, silos, and crawl spaces where there is poor ventilation that may lead to a decreased oxygen level.

Resilient Flooring: Resilient flooring is a type of flooring that is found in many older buildings, including commercial, industrial, and residential properties. OSHA has published a standard that applies to finishing workers who install, maintain, or remove resilient flooring.

OSHA also published standards related to other hazards that may be present at your construction site. 

Hazardous Communication: Hazards may be related to communication equipment, which can include alarms, loudspeakers, or public address systems. This standard addresses hazards related to the equipment. 

Hearing Protection: Noise can be a significant hazard in construction, and it can also lead to hearing loss. This standard addresses hearing protection. 

Electrical Wiring Methods: Electrical wiring methods may be installed incorrectly or in a substandard manner. This standard addresses wiring methods in construction. 

Respiratory Protection for Roofing Work: Roofing work includes construction, repairs, and maintenance. Hazards may include dust, chemical fumes, and other substances that can lead to respiratory irritation. OSHA's standard on respiratory protection for roofing work addresses these hazards. 

Scaffolding: Scaffolding may be used in many construction projects, and it can pose hazards for workers who are on the scaffolding and for pedestrians below it. OSHA's standard on scaffolding addresses these hazards.

When you’re determining which hazards apply to your construction site, you should also consider hazards that aren’t related to specific OSHA standards. 

Noise: Construction often generates significant noise, and workers who are exposed to noise at high levels may experience health problems. The noise levels at your construction site may exceed OSHA's noise exposure limits, reducing the effectiveness of communication. Noise hazards may also lead to hearing loss, which can have long-term negative effects on a person’s life. 

Dust: Dust may be generated in construction and other industrial processes. Dust particles are often very small and can easily enter the body through the lungs and other organs. 

Vibration: Vibration can be caused by a variety of sources, including equipment and tools, objects being handled, and walking and standing on uneven surfaces.

If you have employees working on a construction site, you must have a safety and health program in place. This program must meet the requirements of OSHA’s general industry standards, which apply to all construction sites. You must have a written safety and health program that meets the following requirements. The program should:

• Identify and evaluate hazards that are present at the construction site. 
• Include procedures for controlling and minimizing hazards. 
• Provide employees with information and training related to hazards and procedures. 
• Provide employees with ways to report hazards and complaints. 
• Provide oversight and supervision of the implementation of procedures. 
• Provide adequate training to new employees. 
• Provide a method for re-evaluating the hazards and procedures for controlling them.

Construction workers should be trained in safety and health practices that relate to their specific job tasks. Additionally, they should also participate in the overall safety and health training program. 

OSHA's standards require that each employee in the construction industry receive training that's specific to the job tasks they will be doing. This training must be provided before the employees start work. The training should cover hazards that workers face, procedures for safe work practices, and the use of any personal protective equipment that is necessary. 

The training may be given in several different ways. It may be presented in a classroom setting, online, or while participating in a hands-on activity. The training must include the following topics: 

• Health hazards related to specific construction tasks. 
• How to identify and avoid hazards. 
• Procedures for safe work practices. 
• How to use personal protective equipment. 
• How to report hazards and work-related injuries.

Construction sites must be inspected for any hazards. When hazards are found, they must be corrected before work can be performed at that site. You must keep records of any inspection that has been performed at your construction site. 

The records must include the date of inspection, the inspector’s name, and the items that were inspected. OSHA recommends that you keep these records for at least 5 years after the construction project has been completed. 

When a hazard is found, it must be reported. The hazard must be corrected before work can begin again. If the hazard is not corrected, a citation may be issued. When citations are issued, the amount of the fine varies depending on the severity of the hazard. All citations must be posted at the construction site.

If you are unsure of whether your construction site is complying with OSHA standards, or if you have questions about the standards, you can ask an OSHA representative to conduct an inspection. You can also find compliance assistance information online or by visiting an OSHA office. 

When working in an industry that requires safety standards, it is important to abide by these regulations. Construction sites are dangerous, and there are many risks present in this field. The OSHA standards are designed to protect construction workers from these hazards and keep them safe on site.