Primer on Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards

The standards and policies set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the construction industry are for the most part directed at the constructor. As the traditional employer of the construction workers, the constructor is given the primary responsibility for their safety. As a result, other parties to the construction project, such as the design professional, are typically unfamiliar with the safety standards. Given the trend to hold design professionals responsible to some extent for safety and the expanded role of professional engineers in the construction phase an understanding of the OSHA safety standards is worthwhile for design professionals. This paper summarizes the aspects of OSHA and the safety standards that are of significance to professional engineers. Provided are a general description of the OSHA standards for construction, a synopsis of OSHA’s Multi-Employer Policy, and an outline of the safety standards that involve professional engineers. With background knowledge of their prescribed involvement in safety, professional engineers may more effectively assist constructors in providing a safe worksite and, ultimately, reduce construction site injuries and fatalities.