Construction Safety Requirements

Construction safety requires that employers assess the construction site to determine if the walking or working surfaces on which employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to safely support workers. Employees are not permitted to work on those construction or facility surfaces until it has been determined that the surfaces have the requisite strength and structural integrity to support the workers.

Once employers have determined that the construction site surface is safe for employees to work on, the employer must select one of the options listed for the work operation if a fall hazard is present.

Construction site Contractors must follow the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requirements including use safe handling and storage of chemicals. Construction Contractors are required to inform -the-lead contractor of all hazardous substances which may be brought on to the construction site property, including providing the most current Material Safety Data Sheet for each substance. All spills and leaks of hazardous chemicals at the construction site must be immediately reported to the on-site safety supervisor.

Before any excavation actually begins at a construction site, OSHA requires construction contractors to determine the estimated location of utility installations — sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations — that may be encountered during digging to ensure safe construction operations. Also, before starting the excavation, the construction contractor must contact the utility companies or owners involved and inform them, within established or customary local response times, of the proposed work. The construction contractor must also ask the utility companies or owners to find the exact location of the underground installations. To ensure safe operations at construction sites, iIf underground installations are exposed, OSHA regulations also require that they be removed, protected or properly supported. When all the necessary specific information about the construction job site is assembled, the contractor can safely determine the amount, kind, and cost of the safety equipment needed. A careful inventory of the safety items on hand should be made before deciding what additional safety material must be acquired.

Construction Scaffold Safety

The most common accident involving scaffolds at construction sites is a fall to a lower level. That's quite obvious, since the purpose of erecting scaffolds is to provide a safe place to work when you must work at a height above ground level. It is up to the construction contractor to safely determine the exact scaffold requirements to provide for safety around scaffolds.

All construction site scaffolds must be constructed to safely support a weight four times the maximum intended load. For example, a scaffold normally expected to hold a 200 pound man and his twenty pounds of material should be designed to support 880 pounds without breaking. To be on the safe side, you should never load a scaffold beyond the maximum intended weight. Always inspect the construction site scaffold. Make sure the planks are laid with their edges close together so no tools or materials can slip through and strike someone below. Plank ends must be overlapped at least twelve inches or nailed, so the planks will not move when you walk on them. Construction scaffold planks must not extend more than 18 inches or less than six inches beyond the supports. If the planks extend more than 18 inches, you run the risk of walking on unsupported ends.

Construction Hand & Power Tool Safety

Professionals in the construction industry take pride in their crafts and certainly in the tools they use. any tools that are designed to have guards and handles must have those guards and handles unaltered and they must be in place at all times.

Tying back a guard on a saw doesn't make any sense and anyone removing a guard, handle, or using an unguarded tool will be subject to dismissal from the jobsite. It's just too important to take chances. The power supply for electrical tools must be disconnected when not in use or when changing blades, bits, discs or other routine maintenance tasks.

Loose clothing, rings or other jewelry cannot be worn around operating tools or machines. Keep shirt sleeves buttoned. Industrial leather gloves should be worn when using tools. Before you use any grinding tools, you must be trained and authorized. Using grinders without proper training is asking for trouble.

When grinders are rotating, the operator must assure the operator is in a balanced position and the momentum of the disc will carry the tool away from the operator if it becomes stuck.

Dead-man switches are required on all tools. If you release the power trigger, the tool must shut off. Lock-on devices are prohibited. Make sure all hand and powered hand tools are in serviceable condition before you use them.

Construction Contractor Safety

As a Construction Industry Contractor, it's important for you and all employees on the jobsite to work and act safely. It's a responsibility.

Regardless of your job, your trade or your relationship with the General Contractor, or other contractors working on the job site, there are basic safety rules that must be followed at all times. Each company or contractor has the responsibility to make sure all employees follow safety and health rules and any specific or special rules of the jobsite.

Each contractor should have a written Injury and Illness Prevention Plan for employees that documents the job safety and health requirements and to make sure all employees are trained in these requirements. Employee safety training, regardless of job experience is mandatory. General safe work practices are important, as is specific training for those jobs with potential special hazards, such as crane operation, powder actuated tools, welding, grinding or other specific type jobs. Each employer on the job site is responsible for all training documentation, OSHA recordkeeping and other required documentation. All employers on a job site are responsible for a written and properly implemented Hazard Communications program, which includes Material Safety Data Sheets for each chemical on the worksite.

In addition to appropriate worker compensation and liability coverage for all employees, it's important that adequate first aid supplies and trained persons be available. Emergency telephone numbers for fire, police and paramedics should be maintained by all work site employers.

Construction accounts for more fatal work injuries, than most of any industry sector. Two occupational groups (construction and extraction occupations and transportation and material moving occupations) together account for nearly half of all fatal work injuries.

Construction accounted for 1,239 fatal work injuries, the most of any industry sector in 2006. The total for construction represented an increase of 3 percent over the 2005 total. Fatalities among specialty trade contractors rose 6 percent due primarily to higher numbers of fatal work injuries among building finishing contractors and roofing contractors.

Two occupational groups (construction and extraction occupations and transportation and material moving occupations) together accounted for nearly half of all fatal work injuries.

Construction laborers accounted for the highest number of fatal work injuries among construction and extraction occupations, accounting for 360 fatal work injuries. Fatalities among electricians, roofers, painters, and drywall and ceiling tile installers also rose. Fatalities decreased among carpenters, construction trade helpers, and among plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.

Construction hazards

Construction is one of the largest and most dangerous industries in the United States. Bodily harm as a result of misusing equipment or through plain negligence can range anywhere from cuts and scrapes to loss of sight or limbs and even death. Because of all the hazards a construction worker encounters in a typical day, injuries occur regularly. And of those injuries, eye injuries, in particular, are the most common.

What causes eye injuries

Two main reasons for construction site eye injuries on the job are: not wearing eye protection or wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job. Not wearing eye protection is obviously dangerous. What most workers don't realize, however, is that wearing the wrong kind of eye protection can be just as hazardous. In fact, most workers who have suffered eye injuries while wearing protective eyewear realize later that the trauma was inflicted from objects or chemicals going around or under their ill-fitting safety eyewear.

Unfortunately for construction workers, their line of work puts them in contact with just about every eye hazard known to the safety industry: impact, ultraviolet radiation, liquid splash and infrared radiation. Many construction tasks generate flying debris which can seriously injure the eyes. From wood and paint chips to dirt, concrete particles and even nails, a construction worker's eyes are constantly and most often at risk from impact hazards. Injuries from ultraviolet radiation (UV), liquid splash, and infrared radiation (IR) occur also but are notas common.

If you work in outdoor construction sites, UV rays are present in ordinary sunlight and can cause great damage to the eyes. Because construction often takes workers both indoors and out, workers in this industry often don't see this hazard as a serious one. Construction workers also come in contact with highly toxic cleaning chemicals, paints and adhesives. For this reason, liquid/chemical splash hazards are prevalent. Contact from these substances can cause momentary vision loss or even blindness, not to mention burning and discomfort in the eyes.

Last but not least is infrared radiation. The torch welding and cutting that construction workers do produces an invisible hazard that can damage the cornea and retina of the eye. In extreme cases, it causes blindness.

All materials in the members area for this topic index

Program Material

Programs (written)
(16)
 Aerial And Scissors Lift Program Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Concrete Mix And Pour Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Fall Protection Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Site Employee Safety Training Manual Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Contractor Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Crane And Hoist Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Critical Lifts Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Demolition Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Excavation And Trenching Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Protection Program For Construction Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Protection Work Plan Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Fleet Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Fleet Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Ladder Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Safety Harness Inspection Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
 Sling Safety Program   Download  MS-WORD
Program Development
(6)
 Confined Space New Standard Easy Read   Download  MS-WORD
 Demolition Safety Management Program Development   Download  MS-WORD
 Excavation Safety Program Requirements Program Development   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Prevention Work Plan Program Development   Download  MS-WORD
 Manual Material Handling Program Development   Download  MS-WORD
 Mechanical Material Handling Program Development   Download  MS-WORD
Fact Sheets
(23)
 Assigned Protection Factors OSHA 2009 Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Fall Protection Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Ladder Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Electrical Personal Protection Equipment PPE Safety Topic Fact Sheet Checks   Download  MS-WORD
 Electrical Personal Protection Equipment PPE Safety Topic Fact Sheet Use   Download  MS-WORD
 Electrical Work Practices Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Emergency Response Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Rescue Techniques Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Ground Fault Protection Construction Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Lifting Sling Configurations Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Mobile Crane Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Power Tool Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Steel Erection What OSHA Requires Safety Topic Fact Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Electrical Trade Safety   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Excavators Backhoes   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 1   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 2   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 3   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 4   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 5   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 6   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Facts 7   Download  MS-WORD

Forms & Documents

Audits
(1)
 Contractor Safety Audit Guide   Download  MS-WORD
Checklists
(6)
 Concrete Mix And Pour Safety Checklist   Download  MS-WORD
 Crane Qualification Checklist   Download  MS-WORD
 Critical Lift Checklist   Download  MS-WORD
 Demolition Checklist   Download  MS-WORD
 Grounding Checks Form Checklist   Download  MS-WORD
 Soil Analysis Checklist   Download  MS-WORD
Forms
(8)
 Contractor Safety Evaluation Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Contractor Work Permit Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Crane Hand Signals Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Crane Operator License Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Daily Excavation Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Explosive Blasting Permit Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Floor Grating Removal Permit Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Floor Grating Removal Procedure Form   Download  MS-WORD
Inspections
(28)
 Barricades Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Blasting Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Chain Sling Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Concrete And Masonry Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Contractor Assessment Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Demolition Safety Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Electrical Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Excavation And Shoring Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Fire Prevention Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Flammable Liquid And Material Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Hazard Communication Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Heavy Equipment Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Hoists Cranes And Derricks Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Housekeeping And Sanitation Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Jobsite General Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Ladder Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Ladders And Scaffolds Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Material Handling And Storage Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Motor Vehicles Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Personal Protective Equipment Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Rigging Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Road Work Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Safety Harness Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Security Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Steel Erection Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Tool Safety Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Welding And Cutting Construction Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD
 Wire Rope Sling Inspection Form   Download  MS-WORD

Training Material

Accident Reports
(6)
 Metal Fish Tape Electrical Accident   Download  MS-WORD
 Nail Gun Accident   Download  MS-WORD
 Scaffold Contacts Powerline Electrical Accident   Download  MS-WORD
 Scaffold Fatality Accident   Download  MS-WORD
 Trench Box Accident   Download  MS-WORD
 Trenching Fatality Accident   Download  MS-WORD
Articles
(9)
 Contractor Hazard Communication Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Excavation Cave Ins Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Eye Safety In Construction Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Glove For Vibration Hazards Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Hearing Protection Effective Use Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Protection In The Cold Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Safe Ladders Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Scaffold Safety Basics Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
 Winter Ready Safety Article   Download  MS-WORD
Guides
(2)
 Ergonomics Manual Material Handling Improvement Guide   Download  MS-WORD
 Topic Construction Site Electrical Hazards Check Guide   Download  MS-WORD
Handouts
(21)
 Cement Safety Training Handout Spanish   Download  MS-WORD
 Cement Safety Training Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 Close calls   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Protection Harnesses Training Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Protection Training Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 Fall Protection Training Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 Falls In Construction Bridges Decks   Download  MS-WORD
 Falls In Construction Floor Openings   Download  MS-WORD
 Fixed Scaffolds   Download  MS-WORD
 Heavy Equipment Backhoe Safety Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 Heavy Equipment Safety Handout 1   Download  MS-WORD
 Heavy Equipment Safety Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 Heavy Equipment Skid Steer Handout   Download  MS-WORD
 OSHA4135 Prevent Heat Illness At Work   Download  MS-WORD
 OSHA4135SP Prevent Heat Illness At Work Spanish   Download  MS-WORD
 OSHA4145 Prevent Heat Illness At Work   Download  MS-WORD
 OSHA4147 Prevent Heat Illness At Work   Download  MS-WORD
 Poster Prevent Illness At Work English   Download  MS-WORD
 Poster Prevent Illness At Work Korean   Download  MS-WORD
 Poster Prevent Illness At Work Spanish   Download  MS-WORD
 Respiratory Protection In Construction   Download  MS-WORD
Management
(3)
 Contractor EHS Program REV 2018   Download  MS-WORD
 Contractor HSE Handbook Acceptance Form REV 2018   Download  MS-WORD
 Policy Sign Sheet   Download  MS-WORD
Outlines
(1)
 Excavation Safety Training Outline   Download  MS-WORD
PowerPoints
(30)
 Asbestos In Construction PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Confined Space for Construction 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Crane Contacts Power Lines Incident PowerPoint Spanish   Download  MS-PPT
 Crane Contacts Power Lines Incident PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Construction 10 Hour   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Extension Cord Safety 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Hazards in Construction 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Measurement Safety PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Safety Qualified Employees PowerPoint Spanish   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Safety Qualified Employees PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Electrical Safety for Electricians and Power Tool Users PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Excavations 10 Hour   Download  MS-PPT
 Fall Protection 10 Hour   Download  MS-PPT
 Fall Protection 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Fall Protection Systems PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Fire Extinguisher Use 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Fire Protection and Prevention 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Ladder Safety 02 PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Ladder Safety 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Ladder Safety Construction PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Managing Safety and Health in Construction 2   Download  MS-PPT
 PPE Construction 10 Hour   Download  MS-PPT
 Powered Industrial Trucks Forklifts 2   Download  MS-PPT
 Pump Jack Scaffold Safety PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Scaffolds 10 Hour   Download  MS-PPT
 Silica Hazards PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Stair Ladders 10 Hour   Download  MS-PPT
 Steel Erection Construction PowerPoint Spanish   Download  MS-PPT
 Steel Erection Construction PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
 Supported Scaffold Safety PowerPoint   Download  MS-PPT
Supervisor
(4)
 2brief Hotweather   Download  MS-WORD
 3brief Power Drill Safety   Download  MS-WORD
 3brief Scaffolds   Download  MS-WORD
 3brief Tools   Download  MS-WORD
Talks
(13)
 Construction Fall Prot Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Flagging Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Hand Tool Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Ladders Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Mat Handling Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Powder Acct Tools Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Rigging Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Scaffold Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Slings Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Slip Fall Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Sub Contractor Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Construction Trenching Talk   Download  MS-WORD
 Maint Cranes Slings Talk   Download  MS-WORD
Videos
(8)
 Arc Flash Hazards   Download  OnLine
 Eye Protection   Download  OnLine
 Fall Prevention   Download  OnLine
 Fall Protection Tie Off   Download  OnLine
 Forklift Carbon Monoxide Hazard   Download  OnLine
 Forklifts and Pedestrians   Download  OnLine
 Hearing Conservation Construction   Download  OnLine
 Trenching Basics   Download  OnLine

Awareness

Safety Comic Strip
(2)
 Comic Archive Fall Protection Safety Comic Strip   Download  MS-WORD
 Comic Archive PPE Foot Safety Safety Comic Strip   Download  MS-WORD

GET INSTANT ACCESS

to THE MEMBERS LIBRARY

Safety materials created by safety professionals.
Access to the Safety Manager software.
Wide variety of safety videos and courses.
**Brand New** Safety Training Management System

Pre-Made Safety Materials Ready For Use

Created by experienced safety professionals & risk consultants.  Saving you time, money, and risk of injuries.

95% of the work already done.

**Brand New**
Free with full membership subscription
Training LMS System
Ask The Safety Consultant
Safety Equipment Deal Finder

New To Safety?


“SafetyInfo.com is the first go-to website for safety professionals and companies to use in establishing a solid safety program"
-Mike McKenzie, Certified Safety & Health Manager (CSHM), McSafety Solutions™

Note:  You must have a full subscription to the Safety Library in order to use this material.   Any use outside of your organization, for resell, or without an active membership is strictly prohibited and may result in prosecution under copyright infringement laws. Please contact us first, if you would be interested in reselling or using our materials for reproduction.

Inside the Members Library

Topic Index

Accident Prevention
Air Quality
Asbestos
Bloodborne Pathogens
Boilers
Chemical Safety
Compressed Gas
Confined Space
Construction
Construction Worksite
Cranes & Slings
Driver / Fleet Safety
Drug Free Workplace
Electrical
Emergency Management
Engineering Safety
Environmental
Equipment
Ergonomics
Fall Protection
Fire Safety & Prevention
First Aid
Flammable Materials
Forklifts
Hazard Communication
Hazardous Materials
Hearing Protection
Heat Stress
Hot Work
Housekeeping
Job Safety Analysis
Laboratory
Ladders
Lead
Lockout-Tagout
Machinery & Equipment
Material Handling
MSDS (SDS)
Medical & First Aid
Occupational Health
Office Safety
Off the Job Safety
Personal Protection
Process Safety
Record Keeping
Respiratory Protection
Silica Safety
Rules & Policies
Signs & Labels
Slips, Trips & Fall
Training
Terrorism Programs
Tool Safety
Vehicle & Driver
Violence Programs
Welding & Hot Work

Training Videos

Back Safety
Chemical Corrosive
Chemical Environmental
Chemical Flammable
Chemical Harmful
Chemical Irritant
Chemical Risk
Chemical Toxic
Confined Space Death
Confined Space Hazards & Response
Driving & Medication
Drowsy Driving
Electrical Arc Flash Hazards
Emergency Planning
Ergonomics
Eye Protection
Fall Prevention
Fall Protection - Tie Off
Forklift Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Forklift Tipover Accidents
Forklifts & Pedestrians
Healthcare Worker Safety
Hearing Conservation
Hot Work Dangers
Ladder Safety
Lockout - Tagout
Office Safety
Reactive Chemical Hazards - Process
Safety
Safety For Small Business
Substance Abuse
Trenching Basics
Understanding Job Stress - for Managers
Young Worker Safety


Library Index

Training Materials

Videos/Courses
Talks
Articles
PowerPoint
Handouts
Training Overheads
Quizzes
Supervisor Briefs
Management Briefs
Safety Sessions
2 Minute OSHA Safety Talks
Pamphlets
First Aid Training
Supervisor Training
Hazardous Materials
Bomb Threat
Crossword Puzzles
Biological Agents

Forms & Documents

Forms
Checklists
Audit Guides
Inspections Guides
Signs & Labels
Environmental Audit Guides
Recordkeeping - OSHA 300
Sign & Label Maker

Safety Management Resources

Safety Manuals/Written Programs
Ergonomic Programs
Emergency Plans
Process Safety Management
Construction Safety
Occupational Health
Environmental
Topic Sheets
DOT Fleet-Driver
Hazardous Materials
Chemical Safety
Drug Free Workplace
Terrorism Programs
Development Guides

Safety Manager Software

23 Module Software - Manage, Track, Schedule & OSHA Log
1. Employee Info
2. Accident Reports
3. Incident Reports
4. Lockout - Tagout
5. Corrective Actions
6. Equipment Safety
7. Confined Space
8. Hot Work Permits
9. Vehicle Accidents
10. Safety Committee
11. Industrial Hygiene
12. IR Calculator
13. Respirator Schedule
14. Protective Equipment
15. Chemical Exposure
16. Event Planner
17. Expense Tracker
18. Job Safety Analysis
19. Chemical Data
20. Training Planner
21. Contractors
22. Process Safety
23. Chemical Labels

Safety References & Graphics

Technical Safety Information
Posters
Topic & Fact Sheets
Development Information
Job Specific Safety Rules
Terrorism
Calculators
Safety Comic Strips

New Safety Training System

Schedule and train your employees with our materials. Add unlimited amount of employees. Record all progress and issue certificates. For group and individual training sessions.