Whether you’re starting a new construction business or have been working in the industry for decades, learning more about preventing jobsite injuries and maintaining Occupational Safety and Health Act compliance is now easier than ever. The Compliance Assistance Quick Start tool at www.osha.gov will walk you through major OSHA requirements for employers in the construction industry. The topics covered include the following:
Step 1– OSHA requirements relating to leading hazards on construction sites. These include falls (which account for the greatest number of fatalities in the industry), stairways and ladders, scaffolding, electrical, trenching and excavation, motor vehicle safety and highway work zones.
Step 2 – Other OSHA requirements that may apply to your jobsite. These include personal protective equipment; hand and power tools; concrete and masonry products; cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators and conveyors; welding, cutting and brazing; residential construction; steel erection; fire safety and emergency action planning; and hazard communication standards.
Step 3 – Surveying your jobsite for other hazards. In this step, you’ll learn how to use construction safety checklists and review OSHA’s health and safety bulletins. In addition, you can find information on asbestos, asphalt fumes, carbon monoxide, distracted driving, hazardous and toxic substances, heat, lasers, lead, occupational noise, silica and toxic metals.
Step 4 – Developing a jobsite safety and health program. OSHA requires construction employers to put accident prevention programs in place, including frequent inspection of jobsites, materials and equipment by qualified professionals. This step will link you to online OSHA resources that can help.
Step 5 – Training your employees. Resources include specific OSHA construction training standards, the training and reference materials library, OSHA videos on reducing construction hazards, and general safety and training requirements.
Step 6 – Recordkeeping, reporting and posting. If you have more than 10 employees, you’re required to keep records of jobsite illnesses and accidents. At this step, you can review brochures on recordkeeping and associated regulations. You will also learn about posting OSHA posters, reporting work-related deaths and hospitalizations, and maintaining employee exposure and medical records.
Step 7 – Additional compliance assistance information. From OSHA resources for smaller employers to voluntary programs and Spanish-language resources, the final step in the Compliance Assistance Quick Start tool provides links to other resources construction business owners should find helpful in understanding OSHA requirements.
While it is definitely helpful as an overview, keep in mind the Compliance Assistance Quick Start tool is not comprehensive. It’s intended to provide initial guidance materials, not replace the in-detail assistance you can receive from a free on-site consultation with a compliance assistance specialist through the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program.
