The standard established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an essential procedure that construction workers should adhere to guarantee their safety. On the other hand, it is frequently disregarded in this industry. Look at some of the most often violated OSHA guidelines on construction sites.
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1. Lack of Training
Effective training in all work-related domains is critical in guaranteeing worker safety on construction sites. Detailed training prevents fatalities, and a workplace culture prioritizes safety benefits for employees and employers. For this reason, it is essential to make an effort to provide your construction staff with comprehensive protective training and to cultivate a safe working atmosphere. Accordingly, employees who have received adequate training are better able to identify potential dangers, adhere to the required procedures, and reduce the risks on the job site.
2. Fall Protection
Even though the OSHA has established stringent requirements, fall protection remains the most common safety infraction on construction sites. In 2019, falls were responsible for more than one-third of fatalities that occurred on construction sites, which highlights the crucial relevance of tackling this issue within the workplace. Employers are required to develop and implement a thorough fall prevention program to mitigate the risks linked with accidents caused by gravity. Among these measures are the mandate that workers wear hard helmets and the installation of toeboards or barricades wherever required.
3. Eye and Face Protection
Earlier this year, the OSHA passed its final silica rule, which required that companies track worker exposure and offer medical exams for those exposed for extended periods. This rule also reduced the allowable exposure to airborne silica dust by a factor of five. Moreover, it mandated that workers in industries such as construction be provided with personal protection equipment for their eyes and faces. The rule improved the OSHA's Eye and Face Protection Standard to provide uniformity across all of its standards and enable workers to wear the most up-to-date protective gear.
4. Head Protection
Violators of head protection do happen, though they are less prevalent than falls. In February, a roofing contractor based in Norridge, Illinois, was issued citations and fined $115,500 for several offenses. These violations included personnel working without head protection, fall hazards, and operating a nail gun without the appropriate eye protection.
5. Hazard Communication
A wide variety of materials and compounds can be found on construction sites. The contractors are responsible for ensuring that the hazards associated with these materials and substances are documented and provided to the rest of the project team. Standard labeling, data sheets, and employee training should all be included in communications depending on their need. Also, several compounds reportedly require hazard communication, including lead and silica dust.
6. Grounding
Contractors risk electrocution when working near electrified overhead or subsurface power lines. Using double-insulated tools by contractors is one way to help reduce the risk of electrocution. However, the OSHA also mandates that employers implement a guaranteed equipment grounding conductor program or install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for all 120V, single-phase, 15A, and 20A receptacle outlets on construction sites.
Additionally, according to the National Electrical Code (NEC), companies must set up ground-fault protection for any temporary wiring utilized for remodeling, construction, maintenance, repair, or deconstruction of buildings, structures, equipment, or operations of similar kind.
Related Article: 9 Construction Safety Guidelines to Work Securely and Avoid Accidents On Site
