OSHA Construction Standards

By: Safety Ray

Those in the construction industry understand the importance of OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Created as a direct result of the 1970’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, OSHA serves to protect the health and safety of those in the workplace, in turn creating an environment that reduces injuries and injury costs without affecting team member retention or sales.

Over the years, OSHA has refined processes, standards, and education to ensure that team members go to work in a safe environment. According to the National Safety Council, 540 work injuries happen every hour. This statistic alone provides enough evidence as to why having an organization like OSHA is imperative. Their mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. These safety aspects are especially important for Keeley Companies.

At Keeley Companies, our world-class safety culture, KeeleySafe, is committed to getting every Keeley’n home safe at the end of each day. As team members across our seven different brands work in potentially hazardous environments every day, promoting safe practices is the most important thing that we do. As a leader in the construction industry, we also understand how significant safety education is. Below are two things everyone should know regarding OSHA’s Construction Safety Standards.

1. Top Four Causes of Fatalities in Construction

· Falls

· Struck by an object

· Electrocutions

· Caught-in/between an object

Of all of the construction deaths in 2016, the forementioned incidents were responsible for 64% of them. OSHA is constantly refining standards to ensure that these risks can be mitigated on jobsites.

2. Top 5 Most Frequently Cited Standards

· Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)

· Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)

· Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)

· Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)

· Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)

OSHA reports that these frequently cited standards do not change much year over year. Ensuring team members take these standards seriously is imperative. It is easy to note that the top causes of fatalities in the construction industry are correlated with the most frequently cited standards. Educating team members on potential dangers can mitigate risk and provide team members the resources and knowledge needed to make it home safe every single day.

Keeley Companies is committed to the safety and well-being of every Keeley’n. When creating your own Safety Program, creating awareness comes first. If team members know the most common safety risk, they can then prevent future incidents from happening. If you are interested in learning more about Keeley Companies’ Safety Culture, KeeleySafe, click here.