OSHA’s Recommendations for Safety & Health Management Programs in Construction

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August 25, 2020

Resource: Blog Industry: Industrial
Tags: Safety

OSHA Construction Safety Management Image

In recent years, OSHA created some recommended practices for safety and health management programs or systems. One of those, OSHA 3886, is titled Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction.

We wanted to make sure you know about this OSHA document on construction safety and health programs. And we also wanted to call out some of the highlights of the OSHA document for you here in this article.

So definitely download the OSHA document so you can read it completely and use it to improve the safety and health of your construction work areas (and stay more compliant, as well). But please do feel free to review our article for some helpful construction safety tips also.

And be sure to let us know if you need help with construction safety training, safety management software for your construction company, construction project management continuing education, or other stuff related to construction.

Convergence Training are construction industry training experts, including safety, compliance, project management, and more. Click the links below to learn more about how we can help you. Download our FREE Guide to OSHA Construction Industry Compliance

A Full Website (In Addition to this Guide) To Help You with Your Construction Safety Management Efforts

Having a guide all about construction safety management programs that you can download and print is nice, but it’s even better to know that OSHA’s got even more materials for you. And that’s what the 3886 document begins with–a heads-up that OSHA’s got an entire web page dedicated to safety management for you.

They’ve got tips for getting started; core elements of safety management; tools to help you out, including templates and worksheets; case studies for you to review; and of course links to allow you to download their safety management documents for general industry and construction (we’re just talking about the construction document here).

Speaking of getting started and core elements for construction safety management, you might want to download copies of the two infographics we’ve created below:

A “Find and Fix” Approach to Safety and Health Hazards

OSHA explains that at the center of their safety management suggestions is a “find and fix” approach.

This begins with hazard identification and then the hierarchy of controls.

An Emphasis on Continuous Improvement

OSHA also explains that the concept of continuous improvement is central to their suggestions.

Feel free to download our Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Infographic as a template for continuous improvement methods.

Benefits of Safety and Health Management Programs

Although better safety and health at work are their own reward, the OSHA document lists the following additional benefits:

  • Improved new hire recruiting
  • Better employee morale and improved employee retention
  • Production improvements
  • Quality improvements
  • Better public image with customers, suppliers, and community
  • Lower worker’s comp claims
  • Less lost time due to stoppages and investigations
  • Fewer costs associated with replacing workers, including training
  • Lower property damage, repair, and replacement costs

9 Steps to Getting Started

OSHA recommends these nine steps to getting started with your construction safety management program:

Always set safety and health as the top priority

  • Lead by example
  • Implement a reporting system 
  • Provide training 
  • Conduct inspections
  • Collect hazard control ideas
  • Implement hazard control ideas
  • Address emergencies
  • Make improvements

We’ve got those nine suggestions wrapped up in a handy Getting Started with Construction Safety Management Infographic for ya, too.

7 Core Elements of Construction Safety Management

OSHA continues to state that effective construction safety management is based around the following core elements:

  • Management leadership
  • Worker participation
  • Hazard ID and assessment
  • Hazard prevention and control
  • Education and training
  • Safety management program evaluation and improvement
  • Communication and coordination for employers on multiemployer worksites

Again, we’ve got that tied up in a bow for you in this handy Core Elements of Construction Safety Management infographic.

Consider Improving Your Safety Management Program with the Help of OSHA Consultative Services

OSHA has an enforcement branch, and some safety professionals can get understandably nervous about a visit for an OSHA inspection.

That said, OSHA also has another branch–the consultative services wing of OSHA. These aren’t the enforcement arm with citations and penalties. Instead, you can think of them as “your friend in the safety management business.”

Consider contacting OSHA’s consultative services to learn more and to have them partner with you in your safety management program.

You can learn more about this in our OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Consultative Services article and/or in our OSHA’s SHARP and VPP Programs recorded discussion.

Conclusion: Get Started Now and Never Stop Improving Your Construction Safety Management Program

We hope you found this article and the linked resources in it helpful, and we hope you continue by downloading the OSHA Construction Safety Management document for yourself and implementing its suggestions.

Let us know if you need help with construction safety management and/or safety training and feel free to leave a comment below.

Before you go, why not download our Guide to OSHA Construction Compliance (follow that link) or our Construction Safety Training Guide (click the button below)?

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Construction Safety Training Guide

Learn to use, design, deliver, and evaluate safety training more effectively in the construction industry. Includes tips on how people learn, evidence-based training design, safety training within safety management, and the hierarchy of controls plus links to helpful resources.

Download Free Guide

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