Construction Work Regulations

Construction is an industry that requires strict regulations to protect the safety and security of its workers. Construction regulations became prevalent in the 1920s when unions began mandating safety measures be taken for their members.

History

The American Industrial Revolution proved to be a boon for the construction industry. Cities were built, roads were paved and factories constructed. During this time, the construction worker was typically taken for granted and often considered disposable. By the 1920s, unions in the United States became a prominent force in the construction industry and demanded rights for their workers. Some of the first construction unions were the electrical and plumbing unions; they unionized to obtain caps on the amount of hours they were forced to work in a day. These rights and regulations have developed into the safety laws we know today in the construction industry.

Significance

Some of the real world achievements of construction work regulation include higher wages for blue collar workers; regulated working hours; pension plans for retired employees; safety regulations for job sites. Unions often work with OSHA and local building departments to ensure job sites are adhering to these regulations. Furthermore, construction work regulations also benefit project owners. Regulations are in place to ensure unqualified people are not entering into the unions and gaining employment on projects. This protects the quality of work for the owner.

Benefits

The benefits of worker regulations are numerous: improved worker morale; higher quality finished product; more willing participants in the industry; lower insurance costs due to less on site accidents. Although the worker regulations may have a slight cost to implement (such as costs to purchase safety equipment) the benefits greatly outweigh the expense. Worker regulations significantly improve worker conditions and building quality. Regulations keep workers refreshed and focused. This in turn leads to a higher quality of work product. Complex building designs and equipment require that a worker be fully attentive and rested. Worker regulations assist in both.

Expert Insight

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the primary group that regulates worker regulations in the construction industry. An OSHA representative is assigned to each new construction project and will frequently make on-site inspections to verify compliance. They will check for hardhats being worn by workers, safety cards signed by companies to confirm compliance and first aid kit completeness. If the OSHA representative spots an infraction, they will either issue a warning, fine the company or shut down the project. Typically fines will range from $400 to $1000 per infraction. A job shutdown usually only occurs for repeat offenses.

Types

There are numerous types of construction worker regulations. The most common in the United States include work hour limitations (eight to 10 hours per day); mandatory lunch periods (one hour per six hours worked); mandatory wearing of hardhats and gloves (provided by employer). These regulations help ensure the safety of the worker and increase productivity. It is the responsibility of the employer to enforce the regulations; they will be fined if not in compliance.