Module 1: Introduction to OSHA and OSHA Act

Module 1: Introduction to OSHA and Osha Act

According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, over 20% of the 4,101 work-related fatalities in 2013 were in the construction industry. Working in construction can be very dangerous, so it’s important for employers and employees to be knowledgeable about health and safety hazards in the workplace.

The most common causes of construction workplace hazards are falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught-in or between two objects. If these four risks were eliminated, nearly 500 American lives could be saved each year.

Before we get started, it is critical to understand that the only way your Construction Safety Management System (CSMS) will succeed is to make sure the underlying safety culture includes a real long-term serious commitment and tough-caring leadership by management.

This first module will briefly explore some of the important components that are necessary in an effective safety culture.

Safety Culture Definition

Believe it or not, OSHA actually has a pretty good definition for a safety culture. OSHA defines culture as “a combination of an organization’s, attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, values, ways of doing things, and other shared characteristics of a particular group of people”.

It’s important to understand that, from the employer’s point of view, the company’s corporate culture is something to be managed.

Construction site safety 

Construction site safety is an aspect of construction-related activities concerned with protecting construction site workers and others from death, injury, disease or other health-related risks. Construction is an often hazardous, predominantly land-based activity where site workers may be exposed to various risks. Site risks can include working at height, moving machinery (vehicles, cranes, etc) and materials, power tools and electrical equipment, hazardous substances, plus the effects of excessive noise, dust and vibration. The leading causes of construction site fatalities are falls, electrocutions, crush injuries, and caught-between injuries.