Falls remain one of the most serious hazards in construction. Effective planning begins before employees are exposed, not after a superintendent sees someone working near an edge. Contractors should i...

A scaffold can appear stable while missing a critical tie, brace, guardrail, access component, or properly supported plank. Because scaffolds are exposed to changing loads, weather, traffic, and other...

Ladders are familiar tools, which is one reason their risks are often underestimated. Many serious falls occur during short-duration tasks when employees choose a ladder instead of a safer work platfo...

A construction site can change significantly between morning and afternoon. New openings are created, access routes shift, material accumulates, weather changes, and different trades begin overlapping...

The phrase competent person appears throughout construction safety requirements, but it does not simply mean the most experienced employee on the crew. A competent person must have the knowledge and a...

Training records are often reviewed after an incident, during an inspection, or when a contractor is prequalifying for new work. A sign-in sheet can be useful, but it may not show what was taught, whe...

Toolbox talks are one of the simplest ways to keep jobsite hazards in front of the crew. When conducted well, they connect written safety policies to the work employees will perform that day. When con...

Construction is often associated with outdoor heat, but many employees also work in enclosed or partially enclosed areas where heat can build rapidly. Interior renovation, mechanical rooms, warehouses...

Heat illness can develop quickly on a construction site, especially when employees perform heavy work in direct sun, wear protective equipment, or are not yet acclimatized. California’s outdoor heat i...

An Injury and Illness Prevention Program, commonly called an IIPP, is the foundation of a California employer’s safety system. For construction companies, it should be more than a generic binder store...

Every construction project has unique hazards. That's why a generic safety manual isn't enough.

A Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) outlines the procedures, responsibilities, and controls needed to ke...

An OSHA or Cal/OSHA inspector can arrive at your jobsite with little or no notice.

The way your company responds during those first few minutes can significantly influence the inspection process.

Pr...