Working in the construction industry entails a high degree of life and death-threatening hazards. However, for this particular sector, construction-related operations must follow the compliance rules introduced by OSHA. The mission of OSHA Company is to safeguard workers from the occupational risk involved in a construction environment. Thus, construction industries integrate with OSHA multiple courses to train employees and employers in handling critical construction duties and acknowledge each scenario to protect workers' rights.

 


However, to acquire OSHA courses, corporations follow certain standards to manage OSHA courses. These standards are complex but mandatory ones. Thus, companies follow appropriate rules and regulations to manage the various courses OSHA offers. Considering this, we thoroughly investigate OSHA steps guides to narrate ideas about running the OSHA courses; these steps are sophisticatedly designed to guide construction industries in managing multiple OSHA courses.


What Are OSHA Courses?


Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) aims to guard the construction industry, general industry, maritime industry and industry workers against serious and life-threatening injuries or fatalities. OSHA categorized these courses into 10-Hour or 30-Hour training sessions; these sessions covered necessitated prevention and material handling requirements by the supervisors, managers, line managers, and laborers as per their positions.


There are more substantial courses offered by OSHA that are opted for employees by construction management based on the nature of their work.


Managing Multiple OSHA Courses For Employees

Here are few ways to effectively manage OSHA courses for your teams.


1. Inform Employees About OSHA's Significance


This is the most imperative approach that companies must apply; in this step, managers must elaborate on the potential severity of injuries and accidents that can happen anytime in construction works. Thus, employees must understand the minor or major precautionary steps to make them safe and sound. And assure them that OSHA training courses for employees are the best initiatives for workers and the company. With the help of OSHA courses, workers mitigate the fear of handling construction hazards effectively.


2. Obtain Knowledge About OSHA Courses And Its Standards


There are certain rules and regulations for OSHA courses, and employers know these standards. Based on these prescribed rules, it becomes easy for companies to implement the OSHA course requirements. Develop proper insight into OSHA requirements to avoid inconvenience when employing OSHA courses. Even OSHA provides guidance or consultation to the company supervisors about the ways of compliance OSHA conducts.


3. Select Appropriate OSHA Courses


As the Safety and Health Manager, it is mandatory to choose OSHA training courses for employees in construction that align with the nature of the business. These courses should cover the operations being carried out in the company. It is recommended to make these courses mandatory for employees based on their job position. It's better to plan their job description (JD) to specify the particular courses relevant to their job roles.


4. Get Your Courses Customize From OSHA-Affiliated Websites


OSHA courses are globally known and offered worldwide. After analyzing your employees' needs, customize the course guidelines and training sessions to make them proficient in handling the dangers in the work field. Also, from the perspective of affordability and discounts, these firms give super promos on bulk training sessions with the facility of DOL cards. 


Managing Courses For Construction And General Industries

When it comes to OSHA courses, the training of construction safety differs to that of non-construction safety. OSHA refers to the latter as "general industry."

 

For General Industry

 

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established crucial requirements for General Industry employers to ensure workplace safety. The Hazard Communication Standard mandates employers to develop a written program informing employees about hazardous chemicals and safety measures.

 

  • The Emergency Action Plan is recommended for all employers, detailing actions to be taken during emergencies. Fire Safety and Exit Routes are emphasized, with OSHA suggesting Fire Prevention Plans for all employers. Addressing a significant cause of injuries, the Walking/Working Surfaces rule issued in 2016 focuses on preventing falls through updated standards and enhanced training. OSHA also mandates employers to provide Medical and First Aid resources tailored to workplace hazards.

 

  • Employers can refer to frequently cited OSHA standards for industry-specific guidelines, aligning with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and workforce size. Compliance with these OSHA requirements is essential for safeguarding employees and fostering a secure work environment.

 

For Construction Industry

 

  • For designing courses of OSHA for construction industry workers, follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements addressing primary site hazards. Falls, a leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, necessitate fall protection for employees working six or more feet above lower levels. Stairways and ladders, recognized as sources of injuries and fatalities, require careful management.

 

  • The use of scaffolding is detailed in OSHA's booklet and standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart L), with additional resources available for comprehensive understanding. Electrical hazards, trenching, excavation, and motor vehicle safety/highway work zones are also highlighted, emphasizing the need for awareness and preventive measures. 

 

  • Employers are encouraged to check frequently cited OSHA standards based on industry-specific NAICS codes and workforce size. For construction sites involving multiple employers, adherence to OSHA's Multi-Employer Citation Policy is recommended for a comprehensive safety approach.

 

Learning Course Standards For Construction And General Industries

The course standards for construction and general industries are also different from one another. 

For General Industry

 

  • Beyond the OSHA requirements, various other standards may apply to your workplace. The checklist serves as a guide to identify key OSHA standards and navigate the associated compliance information. Specifically, if your employees operate machinery such as saws, slicers, shears, slitters, or power presses, OSHA's Machine Guarding requirements come into play. 

 

  • Similarly, for those servicing machines with potential unexpected startups or hazardous energy releases, compliance with OSHA's Lockout/Tagout requirements is crucial. Electrical hazards, including wiring deficiencies, necessitate adherence to OSHA's electrical standards encompassing design requirements and safety-related work practices.

 

  • Employers are advised to assess each operation, determine the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and emphasise engineering controls. Moreover, while designing the content, emphasize the establishment of a Respiratory Protection Program, Hearing Conservation initiatives, evaluation of confined spaces, adherence to Bloodborne Pathogens standards, and compliance with OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks standard for those operating forklifts.

 

For Construction Industry

 

  • For construction industry employees, the Hazard Communication Standard ensures awareness of hazardous chemicals, mandating employers to implement a written Hazard Communication Program, providing Safety Data Sheets, and offering training.

 

  • Hand and power tools, ubiquitous on construction sites, are subject to specific standards, emphasizing the need for safe usage. The Silica standard aims to mitigate health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica exposure, relevant to those using concrete or masonry products.

 

  • Confined spaces, such as maintenance holes and tanks, pose physical and atmospheric hazards, necessitating preventive measures before entry. Fire safety and emergency action planning are crucial, with construction employers obligated to maintain effective fire protection programs, as OSHA recommends. 

 

Implement Improved Procedures For Employees


Improvements in workplace safety can be facilitated by establishing a reporting system for workers that can be used as a platform for reporting any hazard or injury without any fear and also providing chances or options for reporting damage in the industry without letting anyone know. The next step involves collecting hazard control ideas by encouraging workers to propose improvements and allocating work hours for research if needed. 


Moreover, emergencies can be addressed by identifying foreseeable scenarios, developing instructions, and ensuring discussions about emergency procedures with visible postings.


Conclusion

 

Following these instructions, firms can manage OSHA courses without any interruption or obstacles. Still, if any mishap occurs, try collaborating with OSHA supervisors to resolve the course implementation problems. However, these comprehensive guidelines aid in identifying and complying with key OSHA standards for a safe construction environment. So, before implementing significant workplace changes to identify potential safety or health concerns, input from workers should be considered.