Occupational Health & Safety Act Regulations For Construction Projects
The Occupational Safety and Health Act, commonly referred to as OSHA, sets safety standards and regulations for all workplaces, including construction sites. Additionally, the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) advises OSHA on construction safety. With respect to construction projects, OSHA has specific requirements for falls, stairways and ladders, scaffolding, electrical work, trenching and excavation.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Act sets forth national health and safety standards in the workplace, both in the private sector and federal government. The Act requires employers provide a workplace that is safe and sanitary, meaning free from recognized, serious hazards to an individuals health or body. This includes, chemical, biomedical, noise and mechanical hazards. Under this Act employees are guaranteed a safe working environment that is not adverse to their health. OSHA applies to all workplaces, including construction sites and projects.
Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH)
The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) is an independent committee established by statute that provides advice and assistance with respect to construction standards and construction safety issues to OSHA.
General Safety and Health Provisions
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that construction sites must generally be free of unsanitary, hazardous, or other conditions that may be dangerous to the health or safety of any contractor or subcontractor. The employer is also responsible for accident prevention, by providing and maintaining safety equipment to workers and scheduling regular inspections of the construction sites, materials and equipment used by workers. In the event a worker is required to handle dangerous materials, it is the employers responsibility to make sure the employee is educated on how to safely handle the material and that the employee is made aware of the risks involved. OSHA also requires employers to provide protective and emergency equipment such as head protection, eye protection, safety belts and safety nets.
Falls, Stairways and Ladders
According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of construction site injury and worker fatality. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, if an employee is working six or more feet above the ground or another level, the employer must provide fall protection such as a safety nets.
Stairways and ladders are also a major source or worker injury and fatality, according to OSHA. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must keep areas around ladders and stairways clear of obstacles, place ladders only on level surfaces that are not slippery and make sure workers use ladders and stairways safely and only for their intended purpose.
Scaffolding and Electrical Work
When scaffolding is used at a construction site, employers must provide fall protection, guardrails, crossbracing, midrails, footing, platforms and inspect the scaffolding for compliance and safety before and after every work shift. Additionally, employers must also prevent electrical hazards by ensuring workers are properly educated on electrical safety and that all electrical work is constructed and installed in a way that minimizes electrical dangers.
Excavation
The Occupational Safety and Health Act also requires employers to provide protective measures such as support systems that prevent cave-ins and erect warning signs 25 feet from the site when trenches are part of the construction site.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Act sets forth national health and safety standards in the workplace, both in the private sector and federal government. The Act requires employers provide a workplace that is safe and sanitary, meaning free from recognized, serious hazards to an individuals health or body. This includes, chemical, biomedical, noise and mechanical hazards. Under this Act employees are guaranteed a safe working environment that is not adverse to their health. OSHA applies to all workplaces, including construction sites and projects.
Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH)
The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) is an independent committee established by statute that provides advice and assistance with respect to construction standards and construction safety issues to OSHA.
General Safety and Health Provisions
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that construction sites must generally be free of unsanitary, hazardous, or other conditions that may be dangerous to the health or safety of any contractor or subcontractor. The employer is also responsible for accident prevention, by providing and maintaining safety equipment to workers and scheduling regular inspections of the construction sites, materials and equipment used by workers. In the event a worker is required to handle dangerous materials, it is the employers responsibility to make sure the employee is educated on how to safely handle the material and that the employee is made aware of the risks involved. OSHA also requires employers to provide protective and emergency equipment such as head protection, eye protection, safety belts and safety nets.
Falls, Stairways and Ladders
According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of construction site injury and worker fatality. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, if an employee is working six or more feet above the ground or another level, the employer must provide fall protection such as a safety nets.
Stairways and ladders are also a major source or worker injury and fatality, according to OSHA. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must keep areas around ladders and stairways clear of obstacles, place ladders only on level surfaces that are not slippery and make sure workers use ladders and stairways safely and only for their intended purpose.
Scaffolding and Electrical Work
When scaffolding is used at a construction site, employers must provide fall protection, guardrails, crossbracing, midrails, footing, platforms and inspect the scaffolding for compliance and safety before and after every work shift. Additionally, employers must also prevent electrical hazards by ensuring workers are properly educated on electrical safety and that all electrical work is constructed and installed in a way that minimizes electrical dangers.
Excavation
The Occupational Safety and Health Act also requires employers to provide protective measures such as support systems that prevent cave-ins and erect warning signs 25 feet from the site when trenches are part of the construction site.
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