As a construction employer, you are likely already familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The federal agency sets and enforces standards to ensure safe working conditions for US employees. Under federal laws, states may develop their own standards subject to approval by OSHA, and North Carolina has an approved state plan that generally tracks the federal standards with some differences.
OSHA generally charges employers with providing employees with a safe workplace. OSHA regulations typically fall into four main categories (construction, maritime, agriculture, and general industry), but construction has the most individual standards. While all regulations are important, some are more frequently cited than others. This post covers 10 key obligations construction companies have to ensure a safe workplace and comply with OSHA regulations.
1. Fall Protection
Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace death in the construction industry. Construction employees may work on roofs, bridges, scaffolds, and other elevated surfaces. In the construction industry, OSHA mandates fall protection systems for employees working at a height of six feet or more. Fall protection includes guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall-arrest systems.
2. Hazard Communication
This standard ensures chemical safety in the workplace. It requires employers to train and inform workers of the dangers of hazardous chemical products they may be exposed to on the job. This includes properly labeling chemicals and maintaining safety data sheets (SDSs) that provide detailed information on each hazardous chemical.
3. Scaffolding Safety
As an essential tool in the construction industry, scaffolds have their own OSHA requirements for safety. The standard covers the proper design, construction, and use of scaffolds. OSHA also requires employers to provide training on scaffolding hazards by someone qualified in the subject matter.
4. Respiratory Protection
Construction work often involves lead and silica dust, paint fumes, solvent vapors, and other respiratory hazards. When workers face exposure to airborne contaminants or insufficient oxygen levels, employers must provide adequate respiratory protection. This may include filtering facepiece respirators, air-purifying respirators, or supplied-air respirators, depending on the hazard.
5. Electrical Safety
Along with falls, electrical shock is one of OSHA’s “Focus Four” hazards in construction. Frayed extension cords, energized power lines, and non-grounded power tools all pose shock hazards. OSHA’s electrical safety regulations are designed to prevent electrical injuries, including using the correct wiring methods, proper equipment, and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
OSHA requires employers to evaluate the workplace for potential hazards, including physical, chemical, and electrical. They must then provide the appropriate PPE to protect employees from injury and illness, such as hard hats, safety glasses, respiratory protection, and gloves. Employers must also ensure their workers use PPE correctly.
7. Cranes and Derricks in Construction
Many construction sites use power-operated lifting devices to move large, heavy loads. This OSHA standard addresses the safe use of cranes and derricks — including mobile cranes, floating cranes, tower cranes, and other variations — in construction activities. The requirements cover design, assembly/disassembly, operation, inspection, and training.
8. Excavation and Trenching
Construction often involves excavation, which poses hazards like cave-ins, flooding, falling loads, and toxic atmospheres. The related OSHA standards aim to reduce these potential dangers by mandating training to help workers understand, recognize, and minimize these hazards. It also requires employers to inspect trenches daily and implement protective systems.
9. Machine Guarding
“Struck-by” and “caught-in” accidents are the remaining two hazards of OSHA’s “Focus Four.” Machine guarding devices protect workers from accidental contact with moving parts, flying debris, or other hazards. Construction equipment like circular saws, air compressors, and portable cement mixers should all be properly guarded to protect workers and others on construction sites.
10. Fire Protection and Prevention
Fire prevention and emergency response protocols are essential in any industry. Construction sites often have additional fire dangers due to flammable materials, temporary electrical systems, and equipment that may produce sparks. This OSHA standard requires employers to train employees in fire prevention and response, develop fire safety plans, and provide fire suppression systems.
Other Employer Obligations Under OSHA
The above standards represent some of the key construction company obligations under OSHA regulations. However, there is a long list of OSHA standards covering a range of topics, including the following:
- Recordkeeping and reporting
- Training and education
- Protection for whistleblowers
- Motor vehicle use
- Proper ventilation
- The use of explosives
- Medical services, including first aid
Need Help Understanding Your OSHA Obligations in NC?
If followed, regulations in North Carolina’s approved state plan help ensure a workplace that protects employees from serious hazards. Understanding and meeting the applicable requirements is challenging. Whether you need assistance reviewing your OSHA obligations, representation during an OSHA inspection, or legal defense against an OSHA citation, Anderson Jones, PLLC can help.
Call us at (919) 295-2846 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation with a qualified construction law attorney in Raleigh, NC, today.