Project Safety

Construction is a dangerous undertaking.  Recent studies indicate that there are 400,000 reportable injuries to construction workers and more than 1.000 deaths each year in construction in the United States.  The financial impact of these construction accidents has been estimated at $2 billion.  As a result, several pieces of legislation have been implemented to address construction site safety.  Probably the most significant piece of safety legislation is the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

OSHA: The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. Congress established the agency under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which President Nixon signed into law on December 29, 1970. OSHA's mission is to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance".

The Occupational Safety and Health Act allows OSHA to issue workplace health and safety regulations. These regulations include limits on chemical exposure, employee access to information, requirements for the use of personal protective equipment, and requirements for safety procedures. Job safety posters are required to present on job sites where employees can read them.  Additionally, regular, usually weekly, safety meetings are required to occur.