Construction Work Can Be Hazardous to Your (Company’s) Health
Posted January 27th, 2011
Do you know what the Top 10 hazards in the construction industry are? At Bayside Solutions, we do. More importantly, we know how to help our clients avoid them.
According to The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the majority of safety violations cited every year occur at construction sites. Workers in the construction industry are exposed, often daily, to potential hazards such as falling from rooftops, malfunctioning or unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, electrocution, or inhaling asbestos, silica dust, or other contaminants.
In 2010, the top 10 violations for which OSHA cited companies were:
1. Scaffolding (unsafe construction and operation)
2. Fall Protection
3. Hazard Communication (including lack of labeling and/or data sheets from chemical manufacturers)
4. Respiratory Protection
5. Ladder safety
6. Lockout/Tagout
7. Electrical – Wiring Methods
8. Powered Industrial Trucks
9. Electrical – General
10. Machine Guarding
Luckily, OSHA also provides tools and resources to assist employers in identifying, reducing, and eliminating construction-related hazards. One of the most important, yet easiest ways to do so is by taking advantage of OSHA training.
The OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training Course covers safety precautions for the most dangerous situations construction workers may face. Workers who have completed the online course are less likely to have accidents, making the class a valuable investment for employers.
OSHA also produces and shares training videos designed to help broaden employer and employee safety knowledge and reduce injuries in the workplace.
To assist companies in avoiding violations, OSHA provides resources to help employers comply with OSHA requirements and learn about OSHA’s cooperative programs. Their Compliance Guide to the Construction Industry identifies the major OSHA construction requirements and materials that apply to various jobsites.
At Bayside Solutions, our years of staffing for the engineering and construction industries has taught us the immense importance of ongoing safety training and compliance. Our adherence to OSHA’s guidelines is just one way we provide job-specific safety training and certification, and safety support and compliance to our clients. If you need top-notch, highly skilled construction professionals to help you complete your project safely and on time, contact Bayside Solutions today!
