OSHA Construction · Part 1: Introduction to OSHA for Construction
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1.4 Basic Safety Orientation
On a construction site every worker needs the same basic picture of the hazards.
Hazard communication
Containers must be labelled with the contents and the hazards. Each hazardous chemical must have a safety data sheet (SDS), which the employer keeps where workers can get it at once. (Older material calls it an MSDS.) Workers must read and understand a label before they handle a container.
Personal protective equipment
The employer must assess the chemicals and hazards on site and decide what PPE is needed, and must train workers to use it. Typical items are:
- eye and face protection: safety glasses, goggles, face shields and splash hoods
- head protection: hard hats against falling objects and electrical contact
- hand and foot protection: gloves chosen for the chemical, safety boots with toe protection and metatarsal guards, chemical resistant boots
- chemical protective clothing
- respirators, air purifying or atmosphere supplying, where fumes are toxic or oxygen is below 19.5 percent
- hearing protection: ear plugs, ear muffs or both
Common hazards
| Hazard | Basic precautions |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Keep conductive equipment and unauthorised people away from exposed live parts. Light the work area. Use non-conductive ladders near electrical work. |
| Falls | Use guardrails, covers and personal fall arrest systems: a body harness, a lanyard and a secure overhead anchor. |
| Lockout/tagout | Authorised people fit locks and tags to energy sources, and check that switches cannot start the machine. |
| Confined spaces | Limited ways in and out, hard to ventilate, may be toxic or short of oxygen. Isolate piping, test the air, wear PPE and keep communications open. |
| Fire | Correct wiring, equipment in good condition, flammable liquids in proper containers. |
| First aid | Workers must be trained in basic first aid where there is no clinic near. |
| Bloodborne pathogens | Do not touch blood or body fluids. Wear gloves and eye protection if you must, and put sharps in proper containers. |
| Heat and cold | Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Frostbite and hypothermia. |
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Competent person | Someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards that are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous, and who has the authority to correct them promptly. |
| Qualified person | Someone who by degree, certificate, professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience has shown the ability to solve problems on the subject, the work or the project. |
| Guardrail | A protective rail around an elevated platform. |
| Scaffold | A temporary platform for people working at height. |
| Oxygen deficient atmosphere | Less than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume. |
Page 5 of 5 in this chapter · page 5 of 29 in the book
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