Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1127356
1. The Creating Employer: Creates the hazardous condition that violates a Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) standard. 2. The Exposing Employer: Employs the workers exposed to a violation, regardless of whether they created the condition. 3. The Controlling Employer: Is responsible, by contract or practice, for the safety and health conditions at the worksite and has the authority to correct the violation. The controlling employer must ensure that each contractor/ subcontractor understands and agrees to follow the safety requirements in the contract. 4. The Correcting Employer: Has the specific responsibility to correct violation conditions. In this system, the general contractor is held responsible for overseeing overall health and safety on the worksite, even if they didn't contribute to the hazard and had no employees in the area. Property owners, project owners, and developers can also be held responsible for the safety of workers on the job site, again, even if they never have their own employees onsite. It all depends on the employer hierarchy, degree of control exercised, and whether they control or create a hazard. Subsequently, it's more important than ever for owners and general contractors to prequalify subcontractors before hiring them. The following guidelines can help. SCREEN YOUR SUBS You can't control who other companies hire, but you can double-check your subcontractors' work histories, incident rates, DOSH citations, Accident Prevention Program, safety training, safety meetings, and insurance coverage. Take as many steps as possible to protect anyone working onsite for both safety and liability purposes. DISCUSS SAFETY IN ADVANCE Address every potential safety hazard with subcontractors before construction begins, before new parties enter an in-progress worksite, and before new phases start. This allows for equitable division of responsibilities and gives each company a chance to highlight problems the others may have missed. The plan should identify site-specific hazards, safety precautions, and the responsible party. This information should be included in site contracts. SAFETY WALK-AROUND INSPECTIONS Construction sites are constantly changing, so you must regularly conduct walk-around inspections to eliminate any hazards. If you have several trades onsite, ask one of those trades people to walk with you. Walk-around inspections should be conducted and documented at the start of the job and weekly thereafter. The responsibility of the controlling employer does not end with communicating required safety precautions or notifying other employers about unsafe conditions or behavior. They must do everything within their power, up to and including terminating the contract, to maintain a safe workplace and protect all onsite employees. FALL PROTECTION • Are open-sided surfaces over 4' guarded by standard railing or equivalent? • Is fall protection used when exposed to a fall hazard? • Are wall openings less than 36" from floor guarded by standard railing? • Are floor openings of 12" or more guarded or covered? • Are stairways installed on all structures with two or more stories? • Is there a guardrail and handrail on stairways with four or more risers or taller than 30"? • Is a stair or ramp provided for a break in elevation of 19" and are ramps at least 18" wide? • Are ladders extended 3' beyond upper landing and used for purposes they were designed for? • Is the top of a self-supported ladder used as a step? • Are defective ladders marked and removed from service? • Are ladders set up on an unleveled or slippery surface secured? • Is PIT designed to lift personnel on a work platform? • Is an elevated platform used safely with fall protection? SCAFFOLDING • Are scaffolds set up on firm footing by a qualified competent person? • Are scaffold work platforms fully planked and provided with safe access? • On scaffolds over 10', is fall protection provided and does the guardrail system meet requirements? PPE • Are individual hard hats available onsite and used when exposed to flying or falling objects? • Is proper eye, face, and footwear worn? • Is suitable clothing—short sleeved shirts and long pants—worn? TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT • Are table saws properly guarded with hood, spreader, and anti-kickback? • Are handheld power circular saws, radial-arm saws, and power miter saws properly guarded? • Is the muzzle safety return spring in place? ELECTRIC POWER • Are extension cords free of improper splices and have ground pins and strain relief devices? • Are multi-outlet J-boxes waterproof? • Is equipment operated within 10' of power line/distribution equipment? MISCELLANEOUS • Are dump truck safe backing procedures followed? • Is a back-up alarm and spotter used on equipment operating onsite? • Are first-aid supplies and first-aid certified persons available onsite? • Is proper housekeeping maintained at the jobsite? • Are toilets provided and maintained and is there an adequate supply of potable water? Common Safety Hazards on a Multifamily Worksite 45 SUMMER 2019 master builder