Safety Regulations for Construction

Construction sites are wrought with potential perils. Falling and flying objects, heavy equipment, nails, saws and other tools require a special set of rules to maintain employee safety. The U.S. Department of Labor's Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the regulatory agency. OSHA regulations even specify the colors of informational signage to be used on construction sites.

Hard Hat Requirements

Probably the most recognizable piece of safety equipment is the hard hat. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is the agency that tests and classifies safety equipment that is used on construction sites. ANSI has divided hard hats into three classifications. Class E hard hats are designated as "electrical" and are for use in high-voltage situations. Class G hard hats are considered "general" and are designed to reduce exposure to low-voltage electrical conductors at 2,200 volts for one minute. Class C hard hats provide protection from electrical conductors. All hard hats must protect against impact to the top or center of the head.

Protective Eyewear

Protective eye wear must always be worn if a hazard exists such as sanding, chipping, machining, exposure to sand and dirt, chemical spills, splashes, vapors or fumes, or glare from welding, brazing or laser work. Protective eye wear has two ratings, basic and high. Basic-impact safety glasses are tested for impact by dropping a 1-inch steel ball from a height of 10 feet onto the lens of the glasses. The lenses cannot break, crack or chip in order to pass the test. High-impact safety glasses must withstand the impact of a steel ball being shot at the lens at a rate of 500 feet per second without cracking, chipping or breaking.

Foot Protection

Construction footwear must be worn by all employees working on a construction site. They must protect the feet against rolling or falling objects, electrical hazards or objects that may pierce through the sole of the shoe. The standards for protective footwear in a construction environment are divided into four categories: EH (electrical hazard)--manufactured with nonconducting, shock-resistant soles and heels to protect against electrical hazards up to 14,000 volts;
CD (conductive)--resistant to the accumulation of static electricity in a worker's body up to 500,000 ohms; PR (puncture resistant)--protects against injuries caused by sharp objects, such as nails, that may penetrate the soles of the shoe, and resists corrosion; and CS (chainsaw resistant)--protects the feet and lower legs of chainsaw operators.

Who Is Required to Wear Protective Gear?

People other than construction workers may be endangered on a construction site as a result of exposure to falling or rolling objects, foot injuries from objects that may pierce the sole of a shoe, and electrical hazards. OSHA standards for personal protective equipment note some of these workers, including shipping and receiving clerks, carpenters, assemblers, welders, gardeners and groundskeepers.

First Aid and Emergency Services

OSHA requires employers to provide a safe workplace that is as free as possible of workplace hazards, and to provide medical and first aid equipment appropriate for each workplace. For construction sites, a first aid kit and at least two people who have been certified in first aid and CPR are recommended to be on the job at all times and easily accessible to all employees. The telephone numbers for police, fire and ambulance services should be posted in a conspicuous place, such as near the time clock, so everyone will know where to find them. OSHA also requires that employers and construction supervisors be trained to identify the possible hazards in each step of the work process and reduce those hazards as appropriate.

References

• Tasco-Safety.com
• Lab Safety.com
• Concrete Products.com