General Health and Safety

For some people, going to work every morning can be the most dangerous thing they ever do if they have a high risk job in construction. These are the kind of occupations that require a certain amount of caution if you want to stay safe. Unfortunately, due to negligence, thousands of construction workers suffer from severe injuries and worse every year.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2007, some form of negligence resulted in 1,239 construction deaths. In addition, construction deaths account for more than an astounding 22% of all work-related deaths.

There has been a steady improvement in the area of safety in recent years, but with such an increase in deaths, something needs to be improve. According to the U.S. Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), certain safety standards have not been updated since 1971!

For more on buidling safety, please visit:

http://www.buildsafe.org/ or http://www.ehow.com/about_5098088_construction-safety-regulations.html

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

In the United States, construction safety is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA Standard 1926 covers many construction safety regulations. All construction work in the United States must be conducted in accordance with these rules and failure to comply can lead to heavy fines for contractors and developers. Most modern countries have their own organizations to regulate construction safety, many of which have rules similar to those developed by OSHA. 

For more on OSHA, please visit: 

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926&p_text_version=FALSE

For Downloadable Guidelines, Regulations, and Fact Sheets

The following downloadable guidelines, regulations, and fact sheets cover protection, prevention, and safe work practices in the construction industry:

www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/htmlconst/index.htm

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/PubOrder.asp 

http://www.orosha.org/publications/constructionpubs.html

Learning and Training Tools

These online learning & training tools cover CAL/OSHA requirements, hazards and safety issues:

www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-001/index.htm

Safety Training

These safety publications and safety videos are available online from the Construction Safety Council:

www.buildsafe.org

Workplace Safety and Prevention Resources

The following workplace safety and prevention topics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:

www.cdc.gov.niosh/topics/construction/

Safety Resources Directory

These web sites feature topics in workplace health and safety issues, explained, discussed and described:

www.agc.org/cs/industry_topics/safety_health/safety_links

www.webworldinc.com/wes-con/

www.pacificemployers.com/tool.htm

www2.worksafebc.com/Portals/Construction/Home.asp

Der Manouel Insurance Group

Find the safety resources you need to bring your safety program up to acceptable standards. Our staff of professionals includes specialists in safety programs for the construction industry, along with a Workers Compensation claims specialist who can assist with claims management issues. For more, visit http://www.dmig.com or contact Don Cooper at dcooper@dmig.com.