WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY

The ABCs of
construction
site safety
THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

The ABCs of
construction site safety
About this guide
This offers a primer on our workplace safety and health rules for
the construction industry.

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Table of contents
Accident prevention and accident investigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Barricades and other traffic controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Confined Spaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Cranes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Division 3 – construction rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Fall Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Guarding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Health hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Heat Illness Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Job Hazard Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Keep the site clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Ladders and stairways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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Medical and first aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Noise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Organize a safety committee or hold safety meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Personal protective equipment (PPE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Qualified and competent persons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Rigging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Scaffolding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Trenching and excavations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Unsafe conditions and unsafe practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Vehicles and mobile equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Welding and cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

X-rays and other radiation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Your attitude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Zero energy state (lockout/tagout). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

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Accident prevention and accident investigation

Accident prevention responsibilities – Division 3, Subdivision
C, 1926.20(b)
It is the employer’s responsibility to maintain programs that comply with
Oregon OSHA’s construction rules.

Ī Such programs must provide for frequent and regular inspections of

jobsites, materials, and equipment by competent persons designated
by the employer.
Ī Use of machinery, tools, material, or equipment that does not comply
with applicable requirements of this rule is prohibited. Machines,
tools, material, or equipment must be identified as unsafe by tagging
or locking the controls to make them inoperable or must be physically
removed from the place of operation.
Ī The employer must permit only those employees qualified by training
or experience to operate machinery or equipment.
Employer responsibilities – Division 1, 437-001-0760(1)
The employer must ensure that employees are properly instructed and
supervised in the safe operation of any machinery, tools, equipment,
process, or practice that they are authorized to use.

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The employer must take all reasonable means to require employees:

Ī To work and act in a safe and healthful manner
Ī To conduct their work in compliance with all applicable safety and
health rules
Ī To use all means and methods necessary to safely accomplish work
where employees are exposed to a hazard
Ī Not to remove, displace, damage, destroy, or carry off any safety device,
guard, notice, or warning provided for use in any employment or place of
employment when such use is required by applicable safety and health rules
Investigations of injuries – Division 1, 437-001-0760(3)
The employer must investigate every lost-time injury to determine the means
that should be taken to prevent recurrence. The employer must promptly install
any safeguard or take any corrective measure indicated or found advisable.
Supervisors or people in charge of work are agents of the employer and
are at all times responsible for:

Ī The safe conduct of their crew while under their supervision

Ī The safety of all employees under their supervision

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Barricades and other traffic controls

Traffic control – Division 3,
Subdivision G, 1926.200 and
437-003-0420
Ī At points of hazards,
construction areas must be
posted with legible traffic
control signs and protected by
traffic control devices.
Ī Adequate, appropriate traffic
controls must be provided for all
operations on or adjacent to a
highway, street, or roadway. The
traffic controls must conform to the Millennium Edition of the (Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA)) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD), December 2000.
Ī Barricades for protection of employees must conform to the
Millennium Edition of the (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD), December 2000.
Note: Employers can use the most current edition of the MUTCD.
Note: Employers who follow the most current edition of the Oregon
Temporary Traffic Control Handbook for Operations of Three Days or
Less comply with this requirement.

Ī Signaling by flaggers and the use of flaggers, including warning

garments worn by flaggers, must also conform to the Millennium
Edition of the (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD), December 2000.
Note: Flagger’s warning garments must conform to the MUTCD.
Construction employees, exposed to highway-type moving vehicles in
construction zones and street/highway traffic must wear highly visible
upper body garments that comply with 437-003-0134(7).

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Vehicle drivers and riders –

Division 3, Subdivision O,
437-003-3224(12)
Ī Traffic control: Employees
must set up appropriate traffic
controls when they stop on or
adjacent to a highway, street,
or road in a way that creates
a hazard and when traffic
cannot adjust safely on its own.
The controls must conform to
the Millennium Edition of the
Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD), December 2000.
Ī Employers who follow the most
current edition of the Oregon
Temporary Traffic Control
Handbook for Operations of
Three Days or Less comply with
this requirement.

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Chemicals
Hazard communication – Division 3,
Subdivision D, 1926.59
Employers must prepare a hazard
communication program if their
employees use or may be exposed to
hazardous chemicals. The purpose of the
hazard communication rule is to ensure that all
hazardous chemicals are evaluated and employees
are informed.
The hazard communication rule applies to any hazardous
chemical in which employees may be exposed under normal conditions of
use, or in a foreseeable emergency. A hazardous chemical is any chemical that
presents a physical or health hazard.
Health hazards produce acute or chronic health effects and include
carcinogens, toxic agents, irritants, corrosives, and sensitizers. Physical
hazards include compressed gases, explosives, flammables, organic
peroxides, oxidizers, and unstable (reactive) agents.
Contractors’ employees must also be informed about the hazardous chemicals
they may be exposed to. The written hazard communication program must
include the methods the employer will use to provide contractors’ employees
on-site access to safety data sheets (SDS); the methods to inform them of
any precautionary measures; and methods to inform other employees of the
labeling system used in the workplace.
The employer must ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the
workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked with appropriate hazard warnings.
Employees need to understand the information provided by the pictograms,
signal word, hazard statement, and precautionary statements on the container

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label provided by the chemical

manufacturer, importer, or
distributor.
The employer must maintain
copies of the required SDS
for each hazardous chemical,
and must ensure that they are
readily accessible during each
work shift by employees when
they are in their work areas.
When employees must travel
between workplaces during
a work shift, the SDS may be
kept at the primary workplace
facility; however, the employer
must ensure that employees
can immediately obtain the required information in an emergency.

Questions that an employer needs to consider

Ī Where do you keep your SDSs?
Ī How do you ensure access after normal working hours, weekends, or
holidays?
Ī If you have more than one shift, do all employees on all shifts have the
same access?
Ī How do you maintain access to employee exposure and medical
records?

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Confined Spaces
Confined spaces – Division 2, Subdivision J, OAR 437-002-0146
(applies to both general industry and construction employers)
When workers enter a confined space to do construction work, they
can encounter toxic gases, corrosive chemicals, flammable solvents, or
machines that start unexpectedly. If something goes wrong, a confined
space can be difficult or impossible to exit. And would-be rescuers can
share the fate of those they are trying to rescue.

Key sections of OAR 437-002-0146 include:

Ī Evaluation, 437-002-0146(4)
Ī Permit-required confined space entry programs and permits, 437-002-
0146(5)
Ī Permit entry, 437-002-0146(6)
Ī Equipment, 437-002-0146(7)
Ī Personnel, 437-002-0146(8)
Ī Rescue, 437-002-0146(9)
Ī Alternate entry, 437-002-0146(10)
Ī Training, 437-002-0146(11)
Ī Multi-employer worksites, 437-002-0146(12)
Ī Records, 437-002-0146(13)
Evaluation – Division 2, Subdivision J, OAR 437-002-0146(4)
It is the employer’s responsibility to determine if any of their confined
spaces are permit-required confined spaces. Employers must prohibit
employees from entering unevaluated confined spaces until fully evaluated.
Effective measures to prevent unauthorized employees from entering
permit spaces must be taken.

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Permit-required confined space entry program and permits –

Division 2, Subdivision J, OAR 437-002-0146(5)
Employers must develop and implement a written program that describes
the means, practices, and procedures for employees to safely identify and
enter permit spaces.

Rescue – Division 2, Subdivision J, OAR 437-002-0146(9)

It is the employer’s responsibility, before employees enter a permit space,
to develop and implement procedures to remove entrants in the event of an
emergency or when they are unable to evacuate without outside assistance.

Training - Division 2, Subdivision J, OAR 437-002-0146(11)

Employers must train each employee involved in permit space activities
so they have the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary to safely
perform their duties, according to their assigned responsibilities.

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Cranes
Cranes and derricks — Division 3, Subdivision CC
This rule covers requirements for the safe use of cranes and derricks
used in construction. Some key sections in Subdivision CC include:
Ī Scope, 1926.1400
Ī Ground conditions, 1926.1402
Ī Assembly/disassembly – general requirements, 1926.1404
Ī Power line safety (up to 350 kV) – equipment operations, 1926.1408
Ī Inspections, 1926.1412
Ī Operation, 1926.1417
Ī Authority to stop operation,
1926.1418
Ī Operator training, certification,
and evaluation, 1926.1427
Ī Training, 1926.1430
Ī Hoisting personnel, 1926.1431
Assembly/disassembly
requirements covered in
1926.1404 include:
Ī Manufacturer prohibitions
Ī Manufacturer assembly/
disassembly procedure
Ī Employer assembly/
disassembly procedure
Inspection requirements
covered in 1926.1412 include:
Ī Repaired/adjusted equipment,
1926.1412(b)
Ī Post assemble
Ī Each shift
Ī Monthly
Ī Annual comprehensive

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Operation requirements covered in 1926.1417 include:

Ī Operation procedures, 1926.1417(b)
Ī Leaving the equipment unattended, 1926.1417(e)
Ī Capacity, 1926.1417(o)
Training requirements covered in 1926.1430 include:
Ī Overhead power lines, 1926.1430(a)
Ī Signal persons, 1926.1430(b)
Ī Operators, 1926.1430(c)
Operator qualification requirements include:
Ī Operator training, 1926.1427(b)
Ī Certification by an accredited crane operator testing organization,
1926.1427(d)
Ī Evaluation, 1926.1427(f)

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Division 3 – construction rules

Division 3, which includes all of Oregon OSHA’s safety and health rules for
the construction industry, has the following subdivisions:
C: General Safety and Health Provisions
CC: Cranes and Derricks in Construction
D: Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
E: Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment
F: Fire Protection and Prevention
G: Signs, Signals, and Barricades
H: Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal
I: Tools – Hand and Power
J: Welding and Cutting
K: Electrical
L: Scaffolding
M: Fall Protection
N: Helicopters, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
O: Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and Marine Operations
P: Excavations
Q: Concrete and Masonry Construction
R: Steel Erection
S: Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams, and Compressed Air
T: Demolition
U: Blasting and Use of Explosives
V: Power Transmission and Distribution
W: Rollover Protective Structures; Overhead Protection
X: Stairways and Ladders
Z: Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Oregon OSHA also has program directives and interpretations of its rules.
Note: When a specific type of equipment, process, or practice is not
limited to the construction industry, the provisions in other Oregon OSHA
divisions will apply. Refer to OAR 437-003-0005, Additional Applicability.

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E lectrical
Oregon OSHA’s electrical requirements
for the construction industry are in
Division 3, Subdivision K and include
the following sections:
Ī General requirements
Ī Installation safety requirements
Ī Safety-related work practices
(including lockout/tagout)
Ī Safety-related maintenance and
environmental considerations
Ī Safety requirements for special
equipment
Typical “Spider box” supplies GFCI-protected
Branch circuits – Division 3, receptacle for use on construction sites.
Subdivision K, 437-003-0404
Ī All 125-volt, single-phase, 15-, 20-, and 30-ampere receptacles on
construction sites that are for temporary power and are available
for use by employees, must have approved ground-fault circuit
interrupters (GFCIs).
Ī GFCI protection must be at the outlet end of the circuit. Extension
cords or other devices with listed ground-fault circuit interrupter
protection for personnel identified for portable use are acceptable.
Ī Receptacles more than 125-volt, single phase, 30-amperes must have
protection that complies with GFCI protection above, or an assured
equipment grounding conductor program.
Working near overhead high-voltage lines and equipment –
Division 3, Subdivision K, 437-003-0047
Do not enter or perform any activity (such as handling, erecting, operating,
transporting, or storing any tools, equipment, or materials) within the
restricted space surrounding an overhead high-voltage line or equipment.

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Exceptions
Ī You are the owner, an authorized employee, or authorized (in writing) agent of
the overhead high voltage system.
Ī Proper notification is provided and the line and equipment is de-energized and
visibly grounded by the owner of the high-voltage system or authorized agent,
or accidental contact is prevented by use of insulating barriers or guards.
Ī Insulated lines (not tree wire) and equipment designed and engineered to
allow only incidental contact are installed by the owner of the high-voltage
system or authorized agent.
Restricted space
Ī For lines rated more than 600 V to 50 kV, restricted space extends 10 feet in
all directions from the surface of the line or equipment.
Ī For lines rated over 50 kV, restricted space extends 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for
each one kV over 50 kV, or twice the length of the insulator (but never less
than 10 feet) in all directions from the surface of the line or equipment.
Ī For equipment or structures in transit, on level surfaces, restricted space
extends 4 feet in all directions from lines or equipment rated 50 kV or less,
10 feet in all directions for lines or equipment rated over 50 kV, and 16 feet in
all directions for lines or equipment rated over 345 kV up to and including
750 kV.
Protection of employees - Division 3, Subdivision K, 1926.416
Ī Employers must not permit an employee to work in such proximity to any
part of an electric power circuit that the employee could contact energized
parts in the course of work, unless the employee is protected against
electric shock by de-energizing the circuit and grounding it or by guarding it
effectively by insulation or other means.
Ī Before the start of any work, employers must verify by inquiry or direct
observation, or by instruments, whether any part of an energized electric
power circuit, exposed or concealed, is so located that the performance of
the work may bring any person, tool, or machine into physical or electrical
contact with energized parts. Employers must post and maintain proper
warning signs where such a circuit exists, and must advise employees of the
location, the hazards involved, and the protective measures to be taken.

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Fall Protection
Oregon OSHA’s fall protection requirements for the construction industry
are in Division 3, Subdivision M, and include the following sections:
Ī Scope, application, and definitions, 1926.500
Ī Duty to have fall protection (general fall protection), 437-003-1501
Ī Fall protection systems criteria and practices, 1926.502, 437-003-0502,
437-003- 1502, and 437-003-2502.
Ī Training requirements, 437-003-0503
General fall protection – Division 3, Subdivision M, 437-003-1501
Except where permitted by another standard, when employees are
exposed to a hazard of falling 6 feet or more to a lower level, the employer
must ensure that fall protection systems are provided, installed, and
implemented according to the criteria in 1926.502, 437-003-0502, 437-
003- 1502, and 437-003-2502. In addition, each employee working less
than 6 feet above dangerous equipment must be protected from falls into
or onto dangerous equipment by guardrail systems or equipment guards.
Holes: Each employee on walking/working surfaces must be protected
from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet above
lower levels. Each employee on a walking/working surface must be
protected from objects falling through holes (including skylights) and
from tripping in or stepping into holes (including skylights) by covers.
Wall openings: Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall
openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside
bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet or more above lower levels
and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches
above the walking/working surface, must be protected from falling.

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Established floors, mezzanines, balconies, and walkways: Each

employee on established floors, mezzanines, balconies, and walkways,
with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level,
must be protected from falling.
Excavations: Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6 feet or
more in depth must be protected from falling when the excavations are
not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barrier. Each
employee at the edge of a well, pit, shaft, and similar excavation 6 feet
or more in depth must be protected from falling.

Each employee must be protected from falls into or onto dangerous

equipment, regardless of the fall distance.
When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer must
have each employee wear a hard hat and must implement an additional
measure of protection such as erecting toeboards, screens, or guardrail
systems; erecting a canopy structure; or barricading the area and
prohibiting employees from entering the barricaded area.

Catch platforms
A catch platform is a stable platform with attached standard guardrails and
toeboards that can “catch” a falling worker or materials. A catch platform used
for fall protection is considered a scaffold system and must meet Oregon
OSHA’s requirements for scaffolds in Division 3, Subdivision L, Scaffolding
– it must be able to support its own weight and at least four times the
maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it. The maximum intended
load includes workers and materials, and the impact force of the fall. If using
manufactured scaffolding systems or components, never exceed the scaffold’s
capacity and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding proper
use, setup, inspection, maintenance, and replacement.

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Adequate training must be provided to workers using catch platforms for

fall protection that, at a minimum, includes the nature of any electrical, fall,
and falling object hazards in the work area and how to recognize and avoid
them; and the proper procedures for erecting, maintaining, inspecting, and
disassembling the catch platforms being used.
Note: Although catch platforms for fall protection are not mentioned in
Oregon OSHA’s requirements for fall protection and scaffolding, temporary
catch platforms used to catch both falling objects and employees who
could fall from a working surface above are an option for employers to
use only when other systems or methods are not feasible to protect their
employees from falling.

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Guarding
Oregon OSHA’s equipment guarding requirements for the construction
industry are in Division 3, Subdivision I and include the following sections:

Ī General requirements, 1926.300

Ī Hand tools, 1926.301
Ī Power-operated hand tools, 1926.302
Ī Powder-actuated tools, 437-003-0925
Ī Abrasive wheels and tools, 1926.303
Ī Woodworking tools, 1926.304
Ī Jacks – lever and ratchet, screw, and hydraulic, 1926.305
Condition of tools: All hand and power tools and similar equipment,
whether furnished by the employer or the employee, must be maintained in
a safe condition.
Guarding: When power-operated tools are designed to accommodate
guards, they must be equipped with guards when in use. Belts, gears,
shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other
reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts of equipment must be guarded if
employees could contact them.
Types of guarding: One or more
methods of machine guarding
must be provided to protect the
operator and other employees in the
machine area from hazards such as
those created by point of operation,
ingoing nip points, rotating parts,
flying chips, and sparks.

Guarding abrasive wheel

machinery requirements are in
Division 3, Subdivision I, 1926.303.

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Health hazards
Oregon OSHA’s requirements covering construction-industry health
hazards are in Division 3, Subdivision D and Division 2, Subdivision J,
include the following sections:
Ī Medical services and first aid,
1926.50
Ī Sanitation, 1926.51
Ī Drinking water, 437-003-0015
Ī Toilets, 437-003-0020
Ī Occupational noise exposure,
1926.52
Ī Ionizing radiation, 1926.53
Ī Non-ionizing radiation, 1926.54
Ī Illumination, 1926.56
Ī Ventilation, 1926.57
Ī Hazard communication, 1926.59
Ī Methylenedianiline (MDA),
1926.60
Hydration should increase as workers are
Ī Lead, 1926.62
exposed to heat.
Ī Heat Illness Prevention,
437-002-0156
Toxic and hazardous substances
Requirements covering toxic and hazardous substances are in Division 3,
Subdivision Z and include:
Ī Air contaminants, 437-003-1000
Ī Asbestos, 1926.1101
Ī Chromium, 1926.1126
Ī Cadmium, 1926.1127
Ī Methylene Chloride, 1926.1152

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Safety training and education – Division 3, Subdivision C,

1926.21(b)
Ī Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other
harmful substances must be instructed about safe handling and use
and be made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and
personal protective measures required.
Ī At jobsites where harmful plants or animals are present, employees
who may be exposed must be instructed about the potential hazards,
how to avoid injury, and the first-aid procedures in the event of injury.
Ī Employees handling or using flammable liquids, gases, or toxic
materials must be instructed in the safe handling and use of these
materials and made aware of other specific requirements in Division 3,
Subdivision C.
Employer’s responsibilities – Division 1, 437-001-0760(1)
Ī The employer is responsible for providing controls necessary to
protect employees’ health from harmful or hazardous conditions and
for maintaining such controls in good working order.
Ī Every employer must inform the employees regarding the known
health hazards to which they are exposed, the measures that have
been taken for the prevention and control of such hazards, and the
proper methods for using such controls.

Whether it is toxic adhesives, asbestos, silica, lead, or other occupational health dangers, employees
must be instructed on the hazards and control measures.

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Heat Illness Prevention

Extreme heat caused by weather can expose workers to serious, and
sometimes deadly, heat-related illnesses resulting from the body’s inability
to cope with a particular heat load. Our key requirements for preventing
heat illnesses in all workplaces whenever employees perform work
activities, whether indoors or outdoors, where the heat index (apparent
temperature) equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit are in Division 2,
Subdivision J and include:

Ī Scope and application, 437-002-0156(1)

Ī Access to shade, 437-002-0156(3)
Ī Drinking water, 437-002-0156(4)
Ī High-heat practices, 437-002-0156(5)
Ī Emergency medical plan, 437-002-0156(6)
Ī Acclimatization plan, 437-002-0156(7)
Ī Heat illness prevention plan, 437-002-0156(8)
Ī Supervisor and employee training, 437-002-0156(9)
Ī Training documentation, 437-002-0156(10)
Ī Appendix A to 437-002-0156 - Mandatory Information for Heat Illness
Prevention
Note: Buildings and structures that have a mechanical ventilation system
keeping the heat index below 80 degrees Fahrenheit are exempt from the
Heat Illness Prevention requirements.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Inspections
Oregon OSHA rules that have requirements for workplace inspections include:

Safety training and education – Division 3, Subdivision C,

1926.21(b)
The employer must instruct each employee how to recognize and avoid
unsafe conditions and about any applicable Oregon OSHA regulations.

Accident prevention responsibilities – Division 3, Subdivision

C, 1926.20(b)
It is the employer’s responsibility to initiate and maintain programs
necessary to comply with 1926.20(b). Such programs must provide for
frequent and regular inspections of the jobsites, materials, and equipment
to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.
Use of any machinery, tool, material, or equipment that does not comply
with applicable Division 3 requirements is prohibited. The machine, tool,
material, or equipment must either be identified as unsafe by tagging
or locking the controls to make them inoperable or must be physically
removed from its place of operation.
The employer must only permit employees qualified by training or
experience to operate equipment and machinery.

Safety committees – Division 1, 437-001-0765(7)

Employers who have safety committees must establish procedures for
conducting workplace safety and health inspections. People trained in
hazard identification must conduct the inspections.
Inspections must be conducted quarterly at primary fixed locations, office
environments, and satellite locations. Inspections at mobile work locations,
infrequently visited sites, and sites that do not lend themselves to quarterly
inspections, must be conducted as often as the safety committee
determines is necessary.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Job Hazard Analysis

Job hazard analysis – or JHA – is an industry best practice method
of identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards associated with a
specific job. A JHA breaks a job down into tasks; each task is evaluated
to determine if there is a better, safer way to do it. A job-hazard analysis
works well for jobs with difficult-to-control hazards and jobs with histories
of accidents or near misses. JHAs for complex jobs can take a considerable
amount of time and expertise to develop. You may want to enlist the help of
a safety professional.
Most Oregon OSHA rules do not specifically require a JHA. However,
employers are required to take the necessary steps to ensure that jobs are
safe and healthful. A JHA helps fulfill this requirement. Employers applying
for Oregon OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program
(SHARP) and the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) conduct JHAs.
Key steps in a JHA:
Ī Prepare: Review accident histories, involve employees, conduct risk
assessment, and prioritize jobs based on hazardous exposures. Often,
jobs need to be broken into tasks to better analyze the steps involved.
Ī Observe the task and list the steps required to accomplish it.
Ī Identify hazards in each step.
Ī Categorize hazards into the following types: struck-by, struck-against,
contact-by, contact-with, caught-on, caught-in, caught-between,
fall-to-surface, fall-to-below, overexertion, bodily reaction, and
overexposure.
Ī Develop hazard controls (engineering controls, management controls,
personal protective equipment (PPE), and/or interim measures).
Ī Write a safe job procedure.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY
STUDENT WORKBOOK

Job Hazard Analysis

Date: ______________ JHA number: _____________________ Steps: ______ to _______
Location of job/task: _______________________________________________________________

Job/task title:_____________________________________________________________________

Step: _____ Description: _______________________________________________________

Hazard Preventive measure(s) required
_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

Step: _____ Description: _______________________________________________________

Hazard Preventive measure(s) required
_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

Step: _____ Description: _______________________________________________________

Hazard Preventive measure(s) required
_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

Step: _____ Description: _______________________________________________________

Hazard Preventive measure(s) required
_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

27

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Keep the site clean

General safety and health provisions – Division 3, Subdivision
C, 1926.20
Contractor requirements: No contractor or subcontractor for any part
of the contract work can require any laborer or mechanic employed in the
performance of the contract to work in surroundings or under working
conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to their health or safety.

Housekeeping – Division 3, Subdivision C, 1926.25

Ī During the construction, alteration, or repair work, forms and scrap lumber
with protruding nails and all other debris must be cleared from work areas,
passageways, and stairs in and around buildings or other structures.
Ī Combustible scrap and debris must be removed at regular intervals during
the course of construction. A safe means must be provided for removal.
Ī Containers must be provided for the collection and separation of waste,
trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse. Containers used for garbage
and other oily, flammable, or hazardous wastes, such as caustics, acids,
harmful dusts, etc., must be equipped with covers. Garbage and other
waste must be disposed of at frequent, regular intervals.
Sanitation – Division 3, Subdivision D, 1926.51
Sanitation requirements for construction sites in 1926.51 cover:

Ī Potable water, 1926.51(a)

Ī Drinking water, 437-003-0015
Ī Nonpotable water, 1926.51(b)
Ī Toilets at construction jobsites, 1926.51(c)
Also refer to Oregon OSHA program directive A-97, Toilet facilities:
reasonable accessibility.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

General requirements for storage – Division 3, Subdivision H,

1926.250(a)
Ī All materials stored in tiers must be stacked, racked, blocked,
interlocked, or secured to prevent sliding, falling, or collapse.
Ī Maximum safe load limits of floors within buildings and structures, in
pounds per square foot, must be conspicuously posted in all storage
areas, except for floor or slab on grade. Maximum safe loads must not
be exceeded.
Ī Aisles and passageways must be kept clear to provide for the free and
safe movement of material handling equipment or employees. Such
areas must be kept in good repair.
Housekeeping: Storage areas must be kept free from materials that
constitute tripping, fire, explosion hazards, or harbor pests. Vegetation
must also be controlled when necessary.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Ladders and stairways

Oregon OSHA’s construction requirements covering ladders and stairways
are in Division 3, Subdivision X, and include the following sections:
Ī Scope, application, and definitions, 1926.1050
Ī General requirements, 1926.1051
Ī Stairways, 1926.1052
Ī Ladders, 1926.1053
Ī Extension ladders, 437-003-0065
Ī Training requirements, 1926.1060
Training requirements – Division 3, Subdivision X, 1926.1060
The employer must provide a training program for each employee
using ladders or stairways. The program must enable each employee to
recognize ladder and stairway hazards and must train each employee how
to minimize the hazards.
The employer must ensure that each employee has been trained by a
competent person in the following areas:
Ī The nature of fall hazards in the work area
Ī The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling
the fall protection systems to be used
Ī The proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all
stairways and ladders
Ī The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used
Ī The requirements in Division 3, Subdivision X

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Retraining must be provided for each employee as necessary.

Ladder safety essentials include:
Ī Appropriate selection
Ī Regular inspection
Ī Proper setup
Ī Safe use
Ī Proper maintenance and storage
Ī Training
More about safe work practices for using portable ladders

Pre-use inspections are critical. Do you see the small fracture in this picture?

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Medical and first aid

First aid and medical attention – Division 3, Subdivision C,
1926.23
First-aid services and provisions for medical care must be made available
by the employer for every employee covered by these requirements.

Medical services and first aid – Division 3, Subdivision D,

1926.50
Key requirements:
Ī The employer must ensure the availability of medical personnel for
advice and consultation on matters of occupational health.
Ī Provisions must be made for prompt medical attention in case of
serious injury before commencement of a project.
Ī In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician reasonably
accessible to the worksite, a person who has a valid certificate in first-
aid training from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the American Red Cross, or
equivalent training, must be available at the site to render first aid.
Ī First-aid supplies must be easily accessible when required. The
contents of the first-aid kit must be placed in a weatherproof container
with individual sealed packages for each type of item, and must be
checked by the employer before each job and at least weekly on each
job to ensure that the expended items are replaced.
Ī Proper equipment for prompt transportation of the injured person to
a physician or hospital, or a communication system for contacting
necessary ambulance service, must be provided.
Ī Where 911 services are not available, the phone numbers of the
physicians, hospitals, or ambulances must be conspicuously posted.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Appendix A to 1926.50, First-aid kits (nonmandatory),

includes the following points:
Ī Employers should evaluate the need for additional first-aid kits at the
worksite, including additional first-aid equipment and supplies.
Ī Employers, who have unique or changing first-aid needs in their
workplace, may need to enhance their first-aid kits. Advice from
the local fire or rescue department or medical professionals may be
helpful.
Ī If employees may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious
materials while using first-aid supplies, employers must provide
personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, face shields,
masks, and eye protection.
Note: Employers with employees in the construction industry who have
occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
must follow the requirements in Division 2, Subdivision Z, 1910.1030
Bloodborne Pathogens.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Noise
Occupational noise exposure – Division 3, Subdivision D,
1926.52 and 437-003-0027
Whenever an employee is exposed to noise at a construction site, the
requirements of Division 2, Subdivision G, Occupational Noise Exposure,
1910.95 apply. These requirements cover:
Ī Permissible exposure limits
Ī Hearing conservation program, 1910.95(c)
Ī Monitoring, 1910.95(d)
Ī Employee notification, 1910.95(e)
Ī Observation of monitoring, 1910.95(f)
Ī Audiometric testing, 1910.95(g)
Ī Hearing protectors, 1910.95(i)
Ī Hearing protector attenuation, 1910.95(j)
Ī Training program, 1910.95(k)
Ī Access to information and training materials, 1910.95(l)
Ī Recordkeeping, 1910.95(m)

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Hours of exposure Sound level (dBA)

8.0 90
6.0 92
4.0 95
3.0 97
2.0 100
1.5 102
1.0 105
0.5 110
0.25 115
Employers must have a hearing conservation program whenever employee
noise exposures equal or exceed an eight-hour time-weighted average sound
level (TWA) of 85 dBA.
When employees are exposed to sound levels exceeding those listed in this
table, administrative or engineering controls must be used.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

O rganize a safety committee or hold safety meetings

Safety committees and safety meetings – Division 1,
437-001-0765
The purpose of safety committees and safety meetings is to bring
employees and management together in a nonadversarial, cooperative
effort to promote workplace safety and health. Safety committees and
safety meetings will help you make continuous improvement to your safety
and health programs.
If more than half of your employees report to construction sites, you can
have a safety committee or hold safety meetings.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Safety meetings must:

Ī Include all available employees
Ī Include at least one employer representative authorized to ensure
correction of safety and health issues
Ī Be held on company time and attendees paid at their regular rate of pay
Safety meetings must occur at least monthly and before the start of each
job that lasts more than one week.

Safety meetings must include discussions of:

Ī Safety and health issues
Ī Accident investigations, causes, and the suggested corrective measures
Employers in construction, utility work, and manufacturing must
document, make available to all employees, and keep for three years a
written record of each meeting that includes the following:
Ī Hazards related to tools, equipment, work environment, and unsafe
work practices identified and discussed during the meeting
Ī The date of the meeting
Ī The names of those attending the meeting
If you are a subcontractor on a multi-employer worksite, your employees
may attend the prime contractor’s safety meetings. You may keep the
minutes from these meetings as a part of your records. If you choose this
option, you must still meet to discuss accidents involving your employees.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment – Division 3, Subdivision E,
437-003-0134
The employer is responsible for requiring employees to wear appropriate
PPE in all operations where there is an exposure to hazards or where this
requirement indicates the need for using such equipment.

Personal protective and life saving equipment – Division 3,

Subdivision E
This rule covers requirements for the use, selection, and maintenance of
PPE and lifesaving equipment, including:
Ī Payment for protective equipment, 437-003-0134(4)
Ī Head protection, 437-003-0134(9)
Ī Eye and face protection, 437-003-0134(8)
Ī Respiratory protection, 1926.103
Ī Working over or near water, 1926.106
Ī Foot protection, 437-003-0134(10)
Head protection – Division 3, Subdivision E, 437-003-0134(9)
Ī Employees working in areas where there is a danger of head injury
from impact, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock and burns
must be protected by hard hats.
Ī Hard hats must meet the specifications contained in American
National Standards Institute, Z89.1, Safety Requirements for Industrial
Head Protection.
High-visibility garments – Division 3, Subdivision E, 437-003-
0134(7)
Employees, other than flaggers, exposed to hazards caused by on-highway
type moving vehicles in construction zones and highway traffic must wear
highly visible upper body garments. Oregon OSHA rules require that the
colors of the vest (specified as strong red, orange, yellow, yellow-green, or

38
 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

fluorescent) must contrast with other colors in the area sufficiently to make
the person stand out. The garments must also reflect from all sides for
1,000 feet during hours of darkness.

Note: High visibility garments for flaggers must meet the requirements in
Division 3, Subdivision G, 437-003-0420(2).

Respiratory Protection – Division 3, Subdivision E, 1926.103

Construction work can produce an assortment of harmful dust, gas, fumes,
mist, smoke, and vapor. To protect your health, effective engineering and
work practice controls such as ventilation, wet methods, and confinement
of the task must be established. However, if these measures are not
feasible, or not protective enough, appropriate respirators must be used.
When respirators are required, a written program must be implemented
covering many important elements such as respirator selection
procedures, fit testing for tight-fitting respirators, maintenance protocol,
medical evaluations, and training. The employer must also designate a
program administrator to oversee the respiratory protection program and
conduct required evaluations. Refer to 1926.103 (Division 2, Subdivision I,
1910.134) for more details and consider consulting an industrial hygienist to
help develop a program or review an existing one.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Qualified and competent persons

Requirements for qualified and competent persons are in several Oregon
OSHA rules such as fall protection, scaffolding, steel erection, rigging,
excavation, asbestos, and lead. The general definitions for “qualified” and
“competent person” are in
Division 3, Subdivision C, 1926.32:

Ī 1926.32(m) “Qualified” means one who, by possession of a recognized

degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive
knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/
her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the
work, or the project.
Ī 1926.32(f) “Competent person” means one who is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working
conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees,
and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.
Division 3, Subdivision R (Steel erection) also adds the following: “In Oregon,
a competent person is considered to be someone with equivalent skills as a
qualified person in identifying existing and potential hazards in the workplace,
while also being authorized by the employer or employer’s representative to take
immediate corrective action to control or eliminate hazards.”

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

“ A competent
person must be
able to recognize
hazards and have
the authority to

”
correct them.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Rigging
Requirements for rigging equipment
for material handling are in Division 3,
Subdivision H, 1926.251, and include
the following:
Ī Rigging equipment for
material handling must be
inspected before use on each
shift and whenever necessary
during its use.
Ī Defective rigging equipment
must be removed from service.
Ī Rigging equipment must not
be loaded in excess of its
recommended safe working
load (Refer to Division 3,
Subdivision H Tables H-1
through H-20).
Ī Rigging equipment, when not in use, must be removed from the
immediate work area so as not to present a hazard to employees.
Ī Custom-designed grabs, hooks, clamps, or other lifting accessories,
for units such as modular panels, prefabricated structures, and similar
materials, must be marked to indicate the safe working loads and must
be proof-tested before use to 125 percent of their rated load. Included
are alloy steel chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber
rope (conventional three strand construction), and synthetic web
(nylon, polyester, and polypropylene).
Ī Each day before being used, slings and all fastenings and attachments
must be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person
designated by the employer (additional inspections must be performed
when conditions warrant).

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Scaffolding
Oregon OSHA’s scaffolding requirements are covered in
Division 3, Subdivision L, Scaffolding
The scaffold standard includes provisions for both supported and
suspended scaffolding, in addition to general requirements for capacity
and platform construction, safe access, fall protection, falling object
protection, safe use, and training. The standard also contains additional
requirements for specific types of scaffolds, such as aerial lifts.
Manually propelled elevating aerial platforms – Division 3,
Subdivision L, 437-003-0071
When employees use manually propelled elevating aerial platforms
as covered by ANSI/SIA A92.3-1990, the manufacturer’s operating
manual must be with the equipment. You must follow all operating and
maintenance instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer.

Boom supported elevating work platforms – Division 3,

Subdivision L, 437-003-0073
When employees use boom-supported elevating work platforms as
covered by ANSI/SIA A92.5-1992, the manufacturer’s operating manual
must be with the equipment. Follow all operating and maintenance
instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer.
Employees must use personal fall protection that complies with Division 3,
Subdivision M, when working in these devices.

Scissor lifts – Division 3, Subdivision L, 437-003-0074

When employees use self-propelled elevating aerial platforms (scissor
lifts) as covered by ANSI/SIA A92.6-1990, the manufacturer’s operating
manual must be with the equipment. Follow all operating and maintenance
instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer.
Program directive A-242, Fall protection: aerial lifts used in
construction

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Trenching and excavations

Oregon OSHA’s requirements for excavation work are included in Division
3, Subdivision P, Excavations. Key sections include:
Ī Scope, application, and definitions, 1926.650
Ī Specific excavation requirements, 1926.651
Ī Underground installations, 437-003-0096
Ī Requirements for protective systems, 1926.652

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Requirements covered in 1926.651 include:

Ī Surface encumbrances, 1926.651(a)
Ī Underground installations, 1926.651(b)
Ī Access and egress, 1926.651(c)
Ī Exposure to vehicular traffic, 1926.651(d)
Ī Exposure to falling loads, 1926.651(e)
Ī Warning system for mobile equipment, 1926.651(f)
Ī Hazardous atmospheres, 1926.651(g)
Ī Water accumulation, 1926.651(h)
Ī Stability of adjacent structures, 1926.651(i)
Ī Loose rock and soil, 1926.651(j)
Ī Daily inspections, 1926.651(k)
Ī Fall protection, 1926.651(l)
Requirements covered in 1926.652 include:
Ī Protection of employees in excavations, 1926.652(a)
Ī Design of sloping and benching systems, 1926.652(b)
Ī Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective
systems, 1926.652(c)
Ī Materials and equipment, 1926.652(d)
Ī Installation and removal of support, 1926.652(e)
Ī Sloping and benching systems, 1926.652(f)
Ī Shield systems, 1926.652(g)
Each employee in an excavation must be protected from cave-ins by an
adequate protective system except when excavations are made entirely in
stable rock, or excavations are less than 5 feet deep and examination of the
ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Unsafe conditions and unsafe practices

Think of unsafe conditions and unsafe practices as hazards, because if
they are not controlled they are likely to cause an injury or illness. Safety
hazards cause injuries and health hazards cause illnesses.
Watch for unsafe conditions and unsafe practices; it is something that
everyone can do on the job. Missing equipment guards, poorly maintained
or defective equipment, and not following written safety procedures are
examples. Require employees to report hazards immediately to someone
who has authority to act on the report. Employees who report hazards
need to be kept informed when and how the hazards will be controlled.
Also, look for new hazards whenever you change equipment, materials, or
work processes, and determine how to control them.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Vehicles and mobile equipment

Oregon OSHA’s requirements for vehicles and mobile equipment are in
Division 3, Subdivision O, Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and
Marine Operations. Key parts of Subdivision O include:
Ī Equipment, 1926.600
Ī General requirements, 437-003-0085
Ī Pinch points, 437-003-0090
Ī Vehicle drivers and riders, 437-003-3224
Ī Vehicles for highway and road operation characteristics and
maintenance, 437-003-3225
Ī Vehicles for use on property other than public roads and highways
operation, characteristics and maintenance, 437-003-3226
Ī Material handling equipment (including earthmoving, excavating, and
forklifts), 1926.602
Ī Personnel platforms on forklifts, 437-003-0094
Ī Pile driving equipment, 1926.603
Ī Site clearing, 1926.604
Ī Marine operations and equipment, 1926.605
Safe practices for operating vehicles:
Ī Require employees to report any vehicle-related safety problems.
Ī Secure equipment and tools to prevent them from moving in a vehicle
or make sure a barrier is in place to protect the passengers.
Ī Ensure that vehicles have working horns that can be heard above any
surrounding noise.
Ī Any vehicle that has an obstructed view to the rear must have a backup
alarm that can be heard above surrounding noise unless there is a spotter
or it is certain that no one can enter the danger area.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Welding and cutting

Oregon OSHA’s welding requirements are in Division 3, Subdivision J, and
include the following sections:

Ī Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, 437-002-2253

Ī Arc welding and cutting, 1926.351
Ī Fire prevention, 1926.352
Ī Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting, and heating (includes
confined spaces), 1926.353
Ī Welding, cutting, and heating in way of preservative coatings, 1926.354
Welding and cutting hazards include:

Ī Fire and explosion

Ī Chemical exposure, smoke, fumes, gas
Ī Burns (eye and skin)
Ī Noise
Ī Radiation
Ī Electric shock
Safe welding and cutting practices include ventilation, guards (screens and
covers), and personal protective equipment (gloves, hood/helmet, eye and
face protection, and respirators).

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

X-rays and other radiation

Oregon OSHA’s radiation rules, in Division 3, Subdivision D, cover ionizing
radiation and non-ionizing radiation.

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation

The most familiar form of electromagnetic (EM) radiation is sunshine,
which provides light and heat. Sunshine consists primarily of radiation in
infrared (IR), visible, and ultraviolet (UV) frequencies. Lasers also emit EM
radiation in these “optical frequencies.”

Ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation

The higher frequencies of EM radiation, consisting of X-rays and gamma
rays, are types of ionizing radiation. Lower frequency radiation, consisting
of ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), microwave (MW), radio frequency (RF),
and extremely low frequency (ELF) are types of non-ionizing radiation.
If not properly controlled, nonionizing radiation, which is found in a wide
range of occupational tasks including use of lasers and electric welding,
can pose a health risk to potentially exposed employees.

Lasers
Laser stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”
The laser produces an intense, directional beam of light. The most
common cause of laser-induced tissue damage is thermal in nature, where
the tissue proteins are denatured due to the temperature rise following
absorption of laser energy.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Because some lasers can damage eyes and skin:

Ī Only qualified, trained employees can install, adjust, and operate laser
equipment.
Ī Laser equipment operators must be able to show proof that they are
qualified when they are operating laser equipment.
Ī Employees who work in areas where potential exposure to laser light
greater than 5 milliwatts exists, must be provided with anti-laser eye
protection.
Ī Areas in which lasers are used must have laser warning signs.
Ī The laser beam must not be directed at employees.
Ī Laser equipment must have a label that indicates maximum output.

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Your attitude
Workers with a positive attitude are more likely to be engaged in the work
at hand and keep safety a priority. Actively participating in safety training
programs, meetings, or committees fosters a proactive approach within an
organization.
Ī Do you ignore unsafe situations because they are “not your job”?
Ī Are you open to ongoing training, education, and assistance regarding
safety and health?
Ī Are you encouraging coworkers to follow safety standards?
Ī What if someone close to you was seriously injured in a workplace
accident?

Working within a culture that supports a positive attitude toward safety can foster safer construction sites.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Zero energy state (lockout/tagout)

Lockout and tagging of electrical circuits – Division 3,
Subdivision K, 1926.417
Ī Controls that are deactivated during work on equipment or circuits
must be tagged
Ī Equipment or circuits that are de-energized must be inoperative and
must have tags attached at all points where they can be energized
Ī Tags must be placed to identify plainly the equipment or circuits being
worked on
The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) – Division 2,
Subdivision J, 1910.147(c)
Note: To comply with this requirement, employers may follow 1910.147 -
The Control of Hazardous Energy.
Energy control program: the employer must establish a program
consisting of energy control procedures, employee training, and periodic
inspections. The purpose is to ensure that equipment is isolated from the
energy source and made inoperative before any employee performs any
service or maintenance where the unexpected energizing, start up, or
release of stored energy could occur.

Energy control procedures must clearly outline the following steps for:
Ī Shutting down the equipment
Ī Isolating, blocking, and securing the equipment to control hazardous
energy
Ī The placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices and
who is responsible for them
Ī The requirements for testing equipment to verify the effectiveness of
lockout and tagout devices

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THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Oregon OSHA Services

Oregon OSHA offers a wide variety of safety and health services to
employers and employees:
Appeals
▶ 503-378-3272
Ī Discusses Oregon OSHA’s requirements and clarifies workplace safety
or health violations.
Ī Discusses abatement dates and negotiates settlement agreements to
resolve disputed citations.
Conferences
▶ 503-378-3272; oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov
Hosts, co-hosts, and coordinates conferences throughout Oregon that
enable employees and employers to learn and share ideas with local and
nationally recognized safety and health professionals.
Consultations and Evaluations
▶ 503-378-3272; 800-922-2689; consult.web@dcbs.oregon.gov
Ī Offers no-cost, on-site safety and health assistance to help Oregon
employers recognize and correct workplace safety and health problems.
Ī Provides consultations in the areas of safety, industrial hygiene,
ergonomics, occupational safety and health programs, assistance
to new businesses, the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition
Program (SHARP), and the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
Enforcement Information
▶ 503-378-3272; 800-922-2689; enforce.web@dcbs.oregon.gov
Ī Offers pre-job conferences for mobile employers in industries such as
logging and construction.
Ī Inspects places of employment for occupational safety and health
hazards and investigates workplace complaints and accidents.
Ī Provides abatement assistance to employers.
Public Education and Training
▶ 503-947-7443; 888-292-5247, Option 2; ed.web@dcbs.oregon.gov
Provides workshops and materials covering management of basic safety
and health programs, safety committees, accident investigation, technical
topics, and job safety analysis.

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 THE ABCs OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Standards and Technical Resources

▶ 503-378-3272; 800-922-2689; tech.web@dcbs.oregon.gov
Ī Develops, interprets, and gives technical advice on Oregon OSHA’s
safety and health rules.
Ī Publishes safe-practices guides, pamphlets, and other materials for
employers and employees.
Ī Manages the Oregon OSHA Resource Center, which offers safety
videos, books, periodicals, and research assistance for employers and
employees.

Need more information?

Call your nearest Oregon OSHA office.
Medford
Salem Central Office 1840 Barnett Road, Suite D
350 Winter St. NE Medford, OR 97504-8293
Salem, OR 97301-3882 541-776-6030
Consultation: 541-776-6016
Phone: 503-378-3272
Toll-free: 800-922-2689 Pendleton
Fax: 503-947-7461 200 SE Hailey Ave.
en Español: 800-843-8086 Pendleton, OR 97801-3072
Website: osha.oregon.gov 541-276-9175
Consultation: 541-276-2353

Bend Portland
Red Oaks Square Durham Plaza
1230 NE Third St., Suite A-115 16760 SW Upper Boones
Bend, OR 97701-4374 Ferry Road, Suite 200
541-388-6066 Tigard, OR 97224-7696
Consultation: 541-388-6068 503-229-5910
Consultation: 503-229-6193
Eugene
1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 150 Salem
Eugene, OR 97401-4643 1340 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 160
541-686-7562 Salem, OR 97301-8080
Consultation: 541-686-7913 503-378-3274
Consultation: 503-373-7819

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Salem Central Office
350 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-3882
Phone: 503-378-3272
Toll-free: 800-922-2689
Fax: 503-947-7461
en Español: 800-843-8086
Website: osha.oregon.gov
440-4878 (08/24/COM)