Construction Safety Training
Safety is one of the most important parts of any construction site. Workers and other employees need to feel confident that the construction company has done everything in their power to make sure the construction safety and health standards are high.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. Created in 1970, its aim is to prevent work-related injuries, fatalities and illnesses. It enforces a standard for workplace safety and health. OSHA training in occupational safety and health is for the private sector construction companies and workplaces as well as state and federal compliance officers, other federal agency personnel and state consultants.
Construction safety training includes an introduction on:
- A general overview of the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees—also whistle blower rights and the basics for record keeping
- Information on inspections, citations and penalties
- Provisions for general safety and health and a competent person
- Information on the value of safety and health
They also focus on the four main hazards of a construction work site:
- Electrical dangers including overhead power lines, temporary wiring, power tools and cords and grounding
- Protection from falling from floors, roofs and platforms
- Being hit by falling objects, trucks or cranes or parts of masonry walls
- Being caught in or between unguarded machinery, equipment or trench hazards
OSHA training also includes a focused course on personal protective and lifesaving equipment and other health hazards such as toxic chemicals and noise.
Each active person on the construction site should be trained to use and understand the possible dangers of:
- Hand and power tools
- Scaffolds
- Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators and conveyors
- Excavations
- Stairways and ladders
A more in depth course in OSHA training for workers that have some responsibility for the safety of a construction site includes all of the above and training that is specific to their job. It emphasizes the identification, avoidance, prevention, control and recognition of a work site that does not meet OSHA standards for:
- Fire protection and prevention
- How to handle, store, use and dispose of materials
- Cutting and welding
- Motor vehicles including mechanized equipment and marine operations as well as overhead protection, rollover protective structures and signals, signs and barricades
- Steel erection
- Confined space entry
- Ergonomics
OSHA provides training materials that include website links and occupational safety and health videos. These come in Spanish also. They will assist in compliance with OSHA standards, give help for small businesses, teen workers and Spanish trainers.
To be an authorized OSHA trainer, trainers must attend courses for updates in construction safety training. There are guidelines for training programs that include the training topics, the length of each required course, training materials, specified class time and the length of the whole course. Each course must be completed within six months. There are also guidelines for keeping records, class size and in-person training. OSHA recommends that training sessions have small classes where trainees feel freer to participate in group discussions and share knowledge and experiences.
OSHA also gives tips for construction safety training so the training is more productive and effective. Training is tailored to the needs of the audience not to the OSHA standards. Trainees need to take the instruction personally and understand the value. It may save their life someday or they may be able to save someone else’s life. Trainers use site-specific training, so it is rewarding for the trainee and they can relate to real-life situations. Trainees should be in appropriate classes for their position. There will be separate classes for supervisors, managers and workers. The workers should be trained in groups of their trade such as machine operators, office staff and maintenance staff. The objective for each topic will be clear so that the trainee can relate it to their own work.
There are many different learning styles, so there should be different teaching styles to make sure everyone is getting what they need. Different trainers, videos, case studies, computer presentations, practical exercises, photos and drawings all make learning more enjoyable. Trainees will have discussion groups as well as chances to practice what they are learning.
OSHA training for construction site safety has been specifically designed to help employers educate and train their workforce in safety and health in the workplace. They answer the questions of who should be trained, on what topics and for what purpose. This training helps employers identify those who need specific types of training and how effective the training is. It sets the standard for occupational safety and health.