Every worker deserves to work in a safe and non-hazardous environment. Fifty years ago, the federal government enacted legislation to protect workers, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces these laws. These safety protocols benefit both employees and employers.
Continue reading to learn more about OSHA.
Information on OSHA
OSHA enforces standards for varying workplace sectors, which include general principles of safety as well as more workplace-specific standards for fields like construction. Furthermore, this organization is continuously researching new rules to improve workplace safety and address new potential threats. Every workplace must implement OSHA’s standards because if employees feel unsafe and uncared for, then their productivity will suffer. Benefits of employee safety include:
- Less sick days requested
- Impressing your customers
- Providing superior service, which boosts customer loyalty
- Boosting staff morale
In today’s blog, we will focus on OSHA regulations for construction workers.
Fall Protection
The problem: Every year, falls consistently account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry. Several factors usually lead to falls, including unstable working surfaces, failure to implement fall protection equipment, and human error.
Safety regulations:
- Cover floor holes
- Use safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems, such as body harnesses.
- Use aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide safer elevated working surfaces.
Ladder Safety
The problem: OSHA estimates there are approximately 25,000 injuries per year due to unstable ladders in construction sites.
Safety regulations:
- Always use the correct ladder for the task, and not the first available one.
- Make sure all ladders are tall enough to reach the work area safely.
- Never load ladders beyond the maximum intended load.
- Avoid using ladders with metal components near electrical work and overhead power lines to prevent electrocution.
- Regularly inspect ladders for noticeable defects.
Preventing Trench Collapses
The problem: Trench collapses cause hundreds of injuries each year, with a steady rise this past decade.
Safety regulations:
- Never enter an unprotected trench.
- Make sure there’s a way to exit trenches, such as a ladder, ramp, or stairway. There should be no more than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees who have to work inside a trench.
- Keep spoils approximately two feet back from the trench’s edges.
- Inspect trenches after hazard-increasing events, such as rainstorms or earthquakes.
Communicate All Hazards
The problem: Failure to disclose the hazards associated with chemicals to your employees can result in chemical burns, fires and explosions, chronic respiratory problems, and more.
Safety regulations:
- Place a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical in every building of your facility.
- Train employees on how to read this chart
- Provide clean-up kits in areas where you store chemicals in case of emergency.
- Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and enforce its use.
- Train employees to clean up chemical spills, which includes teaching them how to protect themselves and properly dispose of hazardous wastes.
Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is Here for You
Although every employer must enforce OSHA’s safety regulations, they may not keep up-to-date with the latest protocols. If you’re a construction worker who was recently hurt on the job, you should pursue legal action to receive compensation for your injuries. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you collect damages for your suffering. We have offices throughout Utah County and West Jordan. Schedule your free case evaluation today.