1. Management's Commitment and Leadership
   1. Policy statement: goals established, issued, and communicated to employees.
   2. Program revised annually.
   3. Participation in safety meetings, inspections; agenda items in meetings.
   4. Commitment of resources is adequate.
   5. Safety rules and procedures incorporated into site operations.
   6. Management observes safety rules.
2. Assignment of Responsibility
   1. Safety designee on-site, knowledgeable and accountable.
   2. Supervisors (including foreman) safety and health responsibilities understood.
   3. Employees adhere to safety rules.
3. Identification and Control of Hazards
   1. Periodic site safety inspection program involves supervisors.
   2. Preventive controls in-place (PPE, maintenance, engineering controls).
   3. Action taken to address hazards.
   4. Safety committee, where appropriate.
   5. Technical references available.
   6. Enforcement procedures by management.
4. Training and Education
   1. Supervisors receive basic training.
   2. Specialized training taken where needed.
   3. Employee training program exists, is on-going and is effective.
5. Recordkeeping and Hazard Analysis
   1. Records maintained of employees illnesses/injuries and posted.
   2. Supervisors perform accident investigations, determine causes and propose corrective action.
   3. Injuries, near misses and illnesses are evaluated for trends, similar causes; corrective action initiated.
6. First Aid and Medical Assistance
   1. First-aid supplies and medical services available.
   2. Employees informed of medical results.
   3. Emergency procedures and training where necessary.

4.1 USE OF GUIDE

The GUIDE consist of 25 user-friendly data sheets covering the first 25 standards from the 100 Most Cited Physical List. Each two page GUIDE is accompanied by photographs or illustrations depicting acceptable and unacceptable conditions related to the standard. Captions describe the photograph or illustration and identify an acceptable or unacceptable condition. The following key specifies an acceptable or unacceptable condition:



Note: The photographs and illustrations may identify other conditions than those addressed by the particular GUIDE. The caption, however, only mentions the situation germane to that GUIDE.

These GUIDE are intended to be usable information or a training source for safety talks, tool box meetings, etc.

Much of the information contained in the GUIDE SHEETS is taken from OSHA field personnel with many years of field experience. The GUIDE, therefore, gives the contractor some insight into the types of conditions the OSHA CSHO observes on the Job-site.

Statistical dales presented in the individual GUIDE related to fatalities were taken from an OSHA report (see Section 5.3 REFERENCES - [10]) developed from OSHA accident investigation data.

Data presented related to injuries came from an OSHA report (see Section 5.3 REFERENCES [6]) which was based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics - Supplementary Data System (SDS).

Heading
Gives the ranking of the particular standard or GUIDE on the 100 Most Cited Physical List. the standard number and a brief key word description of the standard.

Rule
Quotes the standard.

Intent
States the intent and/or the purpose of the standard. For example. a fall prevention system may be required on a scaffold to prevent falls from elevations. The intent of a corresponding standard might be to specify the construction of a guard rah system. While this sub-heading specifies the requirements of the standard, it might also include information on: 1) the history of a particular hazard related to the standard, i.e., a certain number of fatal/lost-time falls from scaffolds over a given period of time; and 2) the theory or operation or equipment, loss prevention technique, etc. which might be associated with the standard.

Hazards
Lists the most commonplace hazards associated with the standard. Additionally, lists common probable injuries identified with the listed hazard. NOTE: No attempt is made to list all hazards associated with the specific standard because of the numerous hazardous conditions and situations that each standard may cover. The employer must fist evaluate the situation/condition and identify all the hazards. Secondly, the employer must decide which standards apply and then take the appropriate actions required by the standard to abate the hazards.

(Among Other) Suggested Abatements
Lists at least one common and sometimes obvious abatement method to correct the hazards) associated with the particular standard. NOTE: As above, there may be many acceptable means of abatement for hazards) related to the standard. Also, the abatement methods listed MAY NOT cover the situation/condition at any given jobsite. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the employer to evaluate the operation to insure the abatement is adequate to control or eliminate the hazard.

The employer must identify, control or eliminate all hazards (29 CFR 1926.20 & .21) on the jobsite through an effective and implemented safety program. The elements of a thorough jobsite safety program are listed in FIGURE 1-1 - EMPLOYER'S SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM[29] (see page 4). The elements listed in FIGURE 1-1 apply to controlling any hazard on any jobsite including those listed in this report. Therefore, these common abatement methods are not listed on each GUIDE, but must be followed to achieve a safe and healthful work place.

Selected Case Histories
Lists at least one fatal/catastrophic accident where the particular standard was cited and was directly related to the causes) of the accident. The accident cases were extracted from the OSHA IMIS System which contains accident information in an abstract format from the OSHA-1 70 Form (codified form used by OSHA CSHO's when investigating fatal or catastrophic accident) and from various OSHA Fatal Facts Accident Reports. This section offers a reader or employee(s) at safety meetings/tool box talks an idea of possible consequences if the requirements of the standard are not followed.

Comments
Lists at least one comment related to the standard, giving information such as the number of times the standard was cited during OSHA accident/catastrophe investigations, common observations from OSHA field personnel related to the standard, common conditions found in the field that do not meet the requirements of the standard, etc.

Additional Documents to Aid in Compliance
Lists other documents that are directly related to the particular standard and provides supplement information to the employer, employee or CSHO. However, it is important to understand that other industry/operational documents may be used to support OSHA violations. The other listed non-OSHA documents carry the same legal impact if they are incorporated by reference fisted in the OSHA standards with a specific standard number such as ANSI 249.1 - 1967 Safety in Welding and Cutting, which is listed as OSHA standard 1926.3500)).Other documents may be used as criterion documents to illustrate industry practice to support a "General Duty Clause 5(a)(1)" violation.

Additionally all pertinent current and historic OSHA documents listed in the OSHA Computer Information System (OCIS) including directives, compliance letters, individual letters of interpretation, etc. have been listed by date with a synopsis of the associated information to help interested parties research the standard.

Bracketed numbers, i.e. [29], refer to corresponding documents listed in APPENDIX B-REFERENCES.

Photographs, Illustrations and Other Documents
This section uses photographs and/or illustrations to show some common acceptable and unacceptable situations/conditions found at construction sites related to the standard. Additionally, some of the GUIDE Sheets include items such as checklists and other Agency documents.

• Falls from elevations: probable injuries range from death to fractures; Fall from lower elevations such as 4-6 feet have caused serious lost-time accidence and occasionally have been the cause of fatalities.
• Struck by: the lack of material containment (toeboards) has caused both fatalities and lost-time accidents when falling materials have struck employees below.

• Whenever an employee must work at any elevated location, ask the questions: 1) Are they protected from a fall? and 2) What measures must be taken to protect the employee at the elevated work location?
• Fall prevention systems such as standard guardrail systems provide more positive means of protection than fall protection systems such a bodybelt/harness-lanyard-lifeline combination, except when workers are suspended, i.e. working on suspended scaffolds, work platforms, etc.
• Construct/maintain all guardrail systems according to OSHA requirements.
• An acceptable method to preclude the use of toeboards, would be to determine the fall radius of materials on an open-sided door/platform. Place positive physical barrier outside the potential fall radius to keep workers and machines outside the danger zone.

• Falls from elevations accounted for 14% of all lost-time accidents[6].
• This standard was cited in 103 fatality/catastrophe inspections conducted by OSHA over a 4 year period.

	Properly erected wire rope perimeter guardrail system. NOTE: The high visibility tape on wire rope (arrow) on top floor makes the guardrail easier for the employees to see.
Exposure to open-sided floor Too much sag in the wire rope (arrows) guard rails
	Properly erected wooden guardrail system for platform. NOTE: The top erection floor has a properly erected wire rope guardrail system.

• Emphasize that the wearing of hard hats is not only for those employees that are exposed to falling objects, but it is also for employees exposed to the other types or hazards.
• Focus on the wearing of hard hats during site inspections. Check hard hats to insure their integrity is not compromised. Metal hard hats are electrical conductors and do not meet the requirement of OSHA and ANSI.
• A formal management discipline program may need to be utilized for those employees who after repeated warnings either refuse or "forget" to wear their hard hats where required.

• An employee was standing under a suspended scaffold that was hosting a workman and 3 sections of ladder. Sections of the ladder became unlashed and fell 5O feet striking the employee in the skull. The employee, who was not wearing any head protection died from injuries received.
• Two employees were using a wire rope to winch a wooden tool shed onto a flat bed trailer. The wire rope broke, snapped back struck one of the employees in the top of the head, killing him. The employee was not wearing a hard hat.
• Employees were using a 5-ton winch to pull a 10-foot section of a 600 lb. grain spout through a vent hole when the spout became wedged. Employees were attempting to use pry bars to free the spout that was still under tension from the winch when the spout popped free, striking an employee in the head. No head protection was provided.
  

	Hardhat meets OSHA and ANSI Z89.1-1969, Safety Requirements for Industrial Head Protection
Work is in progress on top of scaffold. The workers drilling below scaffold are exposed to being struck by falling materials. There is a need for head protection which is not provided by the soft hats shown
	The inspector on the ground (arrow) is exposed to falling materials. Therefore, head protection is required for him. The carpenters would most likely not be exposed to falling materials in this situation. However, a flying material hazard may exist and the operation must be evaluated to determine if head protection is required. NOTE: Fall hazards do exist at the perimeter and at the floor openings. Also, an improperly constructed ladder is being used.

• Instruct employees to visually inspect all electrical equipment p prior to u-se. Any defects such as frayed cords; missing ground prongs, cracked tool casing, etc. should be corrected by taking the tool out-of-service. Apply a warning tag to the tool and do not allow it to be used until the problem has been corrected.
• Frequently trip GFCI's while test tool is operating to insure GFCI is operating correctly.
• Use double insulated tools. Double insulated too1s protect the user from fault currents which might energize the case of the tool or equipment.
  

SELECTED CASE HISTORIES:
A journeyman HVAC worker was installing metal duct work using a double insulated drill connected to a drop light cord. Power was supplied through two extension cords from a nearby residence. The individual's wet clothing/body contacted bare exposed conductors on one of the cords causing an electrocution. No GFCI's were used. Additionally, the ground prongs were missing from the 2 cords.

COMMENTS:
1. Although it was suggested above to use double insulated tools, it does not relieve the employer from providing ground fault protection. Extension cords in use between a fixed electrical system (permanent outlet) and a tool can become worn with exposed energized conductors. Therefore, ground fault protection or an AEGCP would be required. See OSHA CLARIFICATION LETTER below.
2. According to OSHA[10] there were 48 fatalities in the years 1985 to 1989 related to 120 volt electrical systems.
3. Employers have attempted to skirt the requirements of providing ground fault protection by using 30 amp breakers in their 120 volt, single phase systems. This not only defeats the intent of the ground fault provisions it also introduces another set of hazards because the system is no longer rated fro the actual over current protection (30 amp breaker) that is in place.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS TO AID IN COMPLIANCE:
[1] Section 404(b); [3]; [4]; [5]

• Instruct employees to visually inspect all electrical equipment prior to use. Any defects such as frayed cords, missing ground prongs, cracked tool casing, etc. should be corrected by taking the tool out-of-service. Apply a warning tag to the tool and do not allow it to be used until the problem has been corrected.
• Frequently inspect electrical systems to insure the path to ground is continuous. A volt-ohm meter rated for the proper capacity could be used to check for ground in an electrical circuit A receptacle circuit tester can be used to check the continuity of the grounding conductor from a 120 volt receptacle back to ifs origin at the breaker box. This type tester depending on manufacturer usually has the ability to check for wiring configurations including correct wiring, reversed polarity, open neutral, open hot, etc. Additionally, it is relatively inexpensive- usually less than $20 dollars and can be easily carried in a pants pocket. A pocket pen light continuity checker is an inexpensive piece of equipment that can be used to check the "equipment bonding" conductor of cord and plug connected equipment, i.e. drills, saws, sanders, etc.
• Use double insulated tools. Double insulated tools protect the user from fault currents which might energize the case of the tool or equipment. If electrical equipment is double insulated it must be distinctively marked.
  

SELECTED CASE HISTORIES
A fan connected to a 120-volt electrical system via an extension cord provided ventilation for an employee performing a chipping operation from an aluminum. stepladder. The insulation on the extension cord was cut through and exposed bare energized conductors which made contact with the ladder. The ground wire was not attached on the male end of the cord's plug. When the energized conductor made contact with the ladder, the path to ground included the employee's body resulting in death.

COMMENTS
1. A large majority (estimated from many compliance staff sources) of the citations under this standard are issued because ground prongs are missing from cord and plug connected equipment or extension cords.
2. Sometimes ground prongs are intentionally removed from tools and extension cords because, "it makes them easier and quicker to plug into and remove." Statements such as these heard from employees clearly indicate that they do not understand the importance of the of the components of the equipment grounding system.
3. For five years, citations were issued to the contractor who employed the deceased employee in 93 fatality/catastrophe investigations that OSHA conducted, where the absence of a required equipment grounding conductor or lack of continuity of the conductor were listed as a factor.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS TO AID IN COMPLIANCE
[1] Section 404(f); [2] pg. 5; [3] pgs. 35-58; [4]; [5] Art. 250

• Pre job planning is vitally important to this operation. The soil must be evaluated so the employer can select an appropriate protective system. Utilities must be contacted so they can identify their underground lines, traffic control may be an issue, an attempt to identify previous site history must be made, in. was the excavation previously backfilled?, etc.
• Construct all protective systems in accordance with the standard.
• Inspect the site daily at the start of each shift, following a rainstorm or after any other hazard increasing event.
• Keep excavations open the minimum amount of time needed to complete operations.
  

• Two employees were installing 6' PVC pipe in a 40 long x 9t x 2t wide trench. No means of protection was provided in the vertical wall trench. A cave-in occurred fatally injuring one employee and causing serious facial injuries to the second employee.
• An inadequately protected trench wall collapsed killing one employee who had just gotten into the trench to check grade for installation of an 8N sewer line. The trench was = 201-25, deep and had been benched one bucket width (40 on each side. At the time of collapse the backhoe was extracting soil from the trench.
• Four employees were in an excavation 9, wide x 3V long x 71 deep were boring a hole under a road. Eight foot steel plates used as shoring were placed against the side walls of the excavation at about 30 degree angles. No horizontal bracing was used. One of the plates tipped over crushing an employee.
  

	Properly constructed timber shoring and trench box (left) NOTE: The plywood (bottom right) is not a structural member of the shoring system. It is to be used only to prevent the soil in the sidewalls from raveling.
Employees in vertical wall trench with no sidewall protection (above).	Improper shoring including including bracing is not secured (above)
Employees is exposed (arrow) between concrete manhole and unprotected sidewall of excavation (right).

• Fall from elevation. Probable injuries range from death to severe sprains/strains.
• Struck by falling objects from scaffold platforms with insufficient material containment systems, i.e. wire mesh screen or toeboards. Probable injuries could include death or lost-time injuries duet) head concussion, broken bones in the upper body areas, etc.

• Whenever employees must work any elevated location, ask: 1) Are they protected from a fall? and 2) What measures must be taken to protect the employee at the elevated work location?
• Fall prevention systems such as standard guardrail systems provide a more positive means of protection than fall protection systems such as the use of a bodybelt/harness-lanyard-lifeline combination.
  

• An employee preparing masonry facia for removal from a building fell from the third level of a tubular welded frame scaffold. No guarding system was provided for the scaffold. Further, the platform was coated with ice creating a slippery condition.
• A contract employee was taking measurements inside a reactor vessel from an unguarded tubular welded frame scaffold when he either lost balance or stepped backwards and fell 14 ½', sustaining fatal injuries.
  

End frame not guarded. NOTE: The hole between the scaffold planks is large enough to fall through (left).	A properly erected guardrail system with top rail, mid rail and toeboard.
121/2 ft. tall scaffold (left) with no fall protection provided.	(above left, left, immediately above) 4 buck high scaffold (above) with no guardrail system any of the 4 working heights. NOTE: The incomplete platforms and deficient erection of the structural members.

• Evaluate the operations, define the hazards. When it is not feasible to design out all hazards, it may be necessary for employees to wear PPE.
• Discipline workers who fail to wear PPE. Because PPE can be uncomfortable, cumbersome, hot etc., employees sometimes don't wear it even though they know they may be risking injury. When an employee has been given repeated warnings about not wearing PPE, but still does not wear it, it may be prudent for the employer to impose appropriate penalties, leading to release if the employee persistently chooses not to follow company safety rules.
• Another system that has shown to work is to require employees, as a condition of employment, wear PPE at all needed times.

1. Purpose notice cancels an OSHA Instruction based on court decisions that make the guidance given in the instruction inaccurate.
2. Scope. This notice applies OSHA-wide.
3. Cancellation. OSHA Instruction STD 3-3.1,July 18,1983, "Fall Protection in Construction: 29 CFR 1926.28(a) and 29 CFR 1926.105(a)," is canceled.
4. Expiration Date. This notice expires on October 30, 1992.
5. Action. Users of the OSHA Directives System shall remove from their files and discard OSHA Instruction STD 3-3.1.
6. Background. The Review Commission has held in the LE. Meyers Company case, OSHRC Docket No. 82-1137, that the December 1972 revision to 1926.28(a) was invalid on the grounds that the change from "and" to "or" was substantive change that could not be accomplished without notice and comment rulemaking. This decision holds that 29 CFR 1926.28(a) may not be cited unless there is exposure to a hazardous condition and the need for personal protective equipment is indicated elsewhere in the Part 1926/1910 Construction Industry Safety and Health Standards.
   
   In view of this decision, use of 1926.28(a) is superfluous. If a hazard is addressed by another standard, such as 1926.105 for a fall greater than 25 feet, the other standard should be cited. Recognized failing hazards not covered by an existing standard shall be cited in appropriate cases under the general duty clause as indicated in Chapter N of the Field Operations Manual.
   

• Identify all access points where there is a break in elevation of 19". Are all these access points provided a stairway/ladder? Does every access/egress area have a stairway/ladder or some other equivalent safe means of access/egress? Are the stairways constructed/maintained properly?
  

• This is another of the more common situations found on construction sites which are covered by specification standards that are easily identified and substantiated as a violation. This is probably a reason it is quite high on the list.
• This standard became effective in January 1991. The old previous standard (1926.500(e)(1)(iii) ranked #80 on the 1991 List of the Most Frequently Cited Physical Hazards. The two standards taken together would rank #7 on the 100 Most Cited Physical L List and #13 on the 100 Most Cited List.
• One of the most common stairway violations found on a construction site is the complete absence of stairs or no stairrails for the risers leading into the equipment trailer [Conversations with CSHO's].

Stairrail systems which meet OSHA erection specifications.	No guarding provided for a 6 riser stairway.
Properly erected stairway and stairrail system.	Guarding not provided for the unprotected edge

• When handling, storing or using flammable and combustible materials, follow all fire prevention rules such as no smoking. Bond and ground all containers when transferring contents to eliminate the possibility of static charge and a potential ignition source.
• Survey your worksite to determine if flammable and combustibles are being used. Then determine if they are being used, transferred, and stored in a safe manner as prescribed by OSHA and NFPA.
  
  

	An approved safety can. The arrows show the self closing cover and flame arrestor
A common can on the market for gasoline. However, the can is not approved because it does not include a self-closing top.
	2 plastic cans which do not meet the criteria for self-closing tops.

• Encourage the first line managers to make a concentrated effort to focus on housekeeping.
• On larger job sites, give laborers specific duties related to housekeeping only.
• On smaller sites, set up a system designating certain employees on an hourly basis to care for housekeeping chores.
  

All six worksites below are examples of poor housekeeping.

• Use the GUIDE FOR THE DAILY INSPECTION OF TRENCHES/EXCAVATIONS on the next page to assist in identifying the warning signs of excavation failure and specific items to evaluate for different trench/excavation protection systems.
• Keep excavations open the minimum amount of time needed.
• RECOMMENDATION ONLY: Prior to giving authorization as competent person conduct a rigorous testing program to assure that his/her knowledge level is functional for the duties and responsibilities of a competent person.
  

• An employee was in a 7' 6" deep trench installing forms for concrete footers when the trench caved-in causing fatal injuries. The trench was in loose sandy soil (Type C) and no inspection was conducted prior to the start of the shift/operation.
• An employee in a trench 6' deep x 32' wide was applying a waterproofing primer material containing methyl chloroform and 1,4 dioxane to the foundation of a house. The employee was overcome and latter died of trichloroethane intoxication. Deficiencies rated to the cause of the accident included: 1) no one had tested the atmosphere in the trench; 2) the employees were not provided with respiratory protection; and 3) mechanical ventilation was not used.
  

• Construct all scaffolds and related components (ladder access) as per scaffold manufacturers technical literature.
• Whenever possible, use a window/floor at the elevation of the platform to gain access, thereby, eliminating any hazard associated
  with climbing.
  
  

The 2 photos (left) show employees accessing scaffolds by using a hook-on scaffold. NOTE: the inward swinging gate which allows employees to step directly from the ladder on to the platform. Also, the scaffold (far left) has a platform which is not fully planked and creates a hazard.

The 2 photos (above & left) show employees using the structural members of end frames as ladders. The scaffold manufacturer did not design these type end frames as built-in ladders. NOTE: The platform violations

The scaffold below shows end frames which where designed by the manufacturer to be built-in laddders. NOTE: The chain above the platform guarding opening.

• Frequently trip GFCI's while test tool is operating to insure GFCI is operating correctly.
• Use double insulated tools. Double insulated tools can protect the user from fault currents which might energize the case of the tool or equipment.
• GFCI's for 220-volt circuits are available. Note: they are not required by this standard.

1. Although double insulated tools are recommended, using them does not relieve the employer from providing ground fault protection. Extension cords connecting a fixed electrical system (permanent outlet) and a tool can become worn with exposed energized conductors. Therefore, ground fault protection or an AEGCP would be required. See OSHA CLARIFICATION LETTER below.
2. According to OSHA [10] there were 48 fatalities in the years 1985 to 1989 related to 120-volt electrical systems.
3. Employers have attempted to skirt the requirements of providing ground fault protection by using 30 amp breakers in their 120-volt, single-phase systems. This not only defeats the intent of the ground fault provisions, it also introduces new hazards because the system is no longer rated for the actual over current protection (30 amp breaker) that is in place. (Personal experience & conversations with CSHO's).
4. Had all 3 requirements for ground fault protection been combined (1926.404(b)(1)(i) & (ii) & (iii)), they would have been ranked # 1 on the 100 Most Cited Physical List a and #4 on the 100 Most Cited LIST.

PHOTOGRAPHS, ILLUSTRATIONS and OTHER DOCUMENTS

The Gound-Fault-Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") provides an additional precaution

The GFCI is a solid-state, sensitive device which can be applied to open the circuit in case of ground-fault leakage too small to trip the circuit breaker, (but large enough to be dangerous to people).

HOW THE GFCI PROTECTS PEOPLE

(BY OPENING THE CIRUIT WHEN CURRENT FLOWS THRU A GROUND-FAULT PATH.)

Note that the GFCI will open the circuit if 5 mA or more of current returns to the service entrance by any path other than the intended white wire. If the equipmentgrounding conductor is properly installed and maintained this will happen as soon as the faulty tool is plugged in. If by change this grounding conductor is not intact and low-impedance, the GFCI may not trip out until a person provides the path. In this case the person will receive a shock, but the GFCI should trip out so quickly that the shock will not be harmful.

Where are GFCI's required?
OSHA required GFCI's on construction sites because of the combined special hazards of two conditions.

a. Questionable integrity of the ground-fault path through temporary wiring.
b. Presence of wetness due to working on earth, wet concrete, etc.



The use of portable GFCI's (arrow) meets this requirements.

• Prior to installing rebar at the site, insure enough rebar caps or materials to construct caps will be available.

• An employee pulling a concrete hose along a form fell 2 stories and hit his head on steel bars which punctured his brain.
• A laborer fell through a roof opening about 8' to a patio foundation that had about 20 half-inch rebar protruding straight up. The laborer was impaled by one of the bars and died.

	Rebar caps which are acceptable as meeting OSHA requirements.
The arrows show 3 rebars without protective caps which create a hazard.

• Fall from elevation. Probable injuries range -from death to severe sprains/strains.
• Struck by falling objects from scaffold platform due to lack of/insufficient material containment system, i.e., wire mesh screen or toeboards. Probable injuries include death, lost-time injuries due to head concussion, broken bones in the upper body, etc.

• Whenever an employee must work at any elevated location ask the questions: 1) Are they protected from a fall? and 2) What measures must be taken to protect the employee at the elevated work location?
• Fall prevention systems such as standard guardrail systems provide more positive means of protection than fall protection systems such as a bodybelt/harness-lanyard-lifeline combination, except when workers are suspended, i.e., from suspended scaffolds, work platforms, etc.
• Construct/maintain all guardrail system according to OSHA requirements.

	An employee using a makeshift single plank scaffold to apply stucco approximatetly 7'-8' above the ground with no fall protection.
Front and side view (above) of a make shift scaffold 4'-6' above the ground. No fall protection is provided. NOTE: The opening between the scaffold platforms and the unsecured portable ladder.

1. Cave-in caused by superimposed load on face of excavation. Probable injury is death.
2. Ro1ling/falling spoils or equipment; Probable injuries could be expected to range from head concussion to bruises. Extreme cases could result in death due to suffocation.

• Conduct a pre-job survey of site to insure the location is large enough to accommodate 2 foot set back for the spoil pile. If not, materials
  must be obtained to provide an alternate retaining device.
• In some cases contractor may need to haul spoils to a temporary site until excavation is ready to back fill.
  

Proper spoil pile set back (above & right). Arrows show spoil piles.
	Two employees along pipe are exposed to the spoil pile (arrow) which is located on the edge of the trench. NOTE: Sloping does not meet OSHA requirements.
	Employee at end of pipe is exposed to the spoil pile at the edge of the trench.

• Struck by facing or rocketing cylinders. injuries can range from death to contusions.

• Supervisors should note all cylinders in their work area and identify if they are in use or storage. If they are in storage, are they upright, secured and labeled? Is the valve protection cap in place? Are incompatible materials (oxygen and fuel gas) separated properly? If the cylinders are in use, are all appropriate safeguards in place to protect the welder and other personnel in the area?
  

The cylinders (above & right) are secured properly in an upright position. NOTE: Cylinders are not required to be secured to a cart as shown above. This method is only a recommendation.
	The cylinders are not secured (left) and are not secured in an upright position (above). NOTE: Improper storage of oxygen and fuel gas cylinders in photo on left.

1. Fire/explosion. Probable injuries range from death to minor burns.

1. A pre-job survey to identify all potential hazards and affected areas around the operation is critical.
2. All fire prevention and protection rules absolutely must be followed.

1. A welder was cutting braces on a catwalk of a conveyor when the catwalk collapsed falling approximately 30' to the ground killing the welder.
2. Three employees were cutting (burning) a catwalk from the top of a 20,000 gallon ethanol storage tank which had been drained of liquid but the vapors were not purged. Vapors emanating from a gage hatch which was not sealed were ignited and the tank exploded. The three employees were fatally injured. The area (not designed for cutting purposes) was not properly inspected and authorized prior to the start of the operation.

1. The most common standard cited from ANSI 249.1-1967 is 3.2.4.3, which specifies a 20 foot minimum spacing or ½ hour minimum fire rated wall 5 feet high separating oxygen cylinders from fuel gas cylinders in storage. Other commonly cited standards include: using acetylene at a pressure greater than 15 psig (3.1.2) and failure to inspect and authorize an operation when welding or cutting must be done in a location not designed for such purposes (6.2.5).
2. This rule only applies to gas welding. It does not apply to arc welding, resistance welding or other non-gas welding procedures

	Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders stored together without proper separation or barriers. NOTE: The missing valve protection cap on the front of the cylinder bottle.
	Oxygen cylinders in storage separated from fuel gas cylinders by a 5' tall properly constructed and rated fire wall (arrow).

• Struck by flying objects, particles, and chemicals. Probable eye injuries can range from blindness to minor irritation caused by foreign
  matter in the eye. Probable injuries to the face range from chemical burns caused by splashes to lacerations caused by flying objects.
• Radiant energy exposure from welding and laser operations. Probable injuries range from blindness to temporary eye irritation.
  

• Instruct fast-line supervisors to continually audit employees to insure eye/face protection is worn.
• Institute a formal discipline program in workplaces where a problem exist relating to employees not wearing PPE when required.
• Make the wearing of PPE in accordance with company rules a specific condition of employment. This has proven to be an effective tool for safety managers (Conversations with safety managers).
  

	Types of eye and face protection that are required depending on the operation.
	Employee is wearing the proper goggles while cutting steel for stairway.

• Fall from elevation. Probable injuries range from death to sprains/strains.
• Struck by falling objects through floor hole. Probable Injuries range from death to head concussion.

• For new construction identify floor holes as they are created and take immediate action.
• For existing structures, survey the site prior to starting work and continue audit as renovation, repair, etc. proceeds for floor opening and holes.
• Insure all covers are constructed properly and will support the maximum intended load.
  

• An employee fell 16 feet to his death through an improperly guarded roof opening 36"x30" while attempting to stay clear of an overhead crane load. The improper guarding system consisted of four 2"x4" posts supported using only one nail per post and high visibility barrier tape strung between the posts.
• An employee fell through an uncovered 36" diameter hole in the top of a slurry tank and fell 32 feet to his death.
  

	Properly erected standard guardrail system for floor opening.
	Employee is wearing the proper goggles while cutting steel for stairway.
Unguarded floor opening (arrow) which exposes workers to a 9' fall into basement.

• Abatement is obvious - construct/use ladders according to specification requirement.
• Instruct first-line supervisors to inspect ladders during each shift in their work area.
  

The portable ladder extends 3' above the opening (landing) of the confined space. NOTE: The guarding of the floor hole except at the entrance for the ladder is acceptable.	The job made ladder is secured (arrow) and extended 3' above the landing. NOTE: The exposure to the open-sided floor when employees are on the landing would be a violation of 1926.500(d)(1)
	The job made ladder does not extend at least 3' above landing, nor is it secured against tipping.

• Cave-in. Probable injury is death.
• Hazardous atmospheres caused by broken utility lines, toxic materials entrained in soil, etc. Large range of injuries from
  death due to inhalation of toxic material to first aid.

• Provide properly constructed /maintained means of egress at predetermined points.

• Two employees were in a 12 foot deep trench laying pipe when one of the employees saw the bottom face of the trench move and jumped out of the way along the length of the trench as the wall caved-in fatally injuring the other employee. The walls of the trench were vertical and no means of emergency egress was provided.
• Two employees laying sewer pipe were in a 15 foot deep trench, which was not shored or sloped properly. The employees had to egress the trench by climbing the backfill. While exiting the trench the first worker was trapped by a small cave-in. The second employee tried to extricate him but a second cave-in occurred trapping the second employee at the waist. The second cave-in actually caused the death of the first employee; the second employee sustained a hip injury.

	Required for trench/excavations >4 feet deep.
	No means of egress provided. Employee is riding backhoe bucket out of trench.

• Electrical shock. Probable injuries can vary from death to minor burns.
• Fire. Probable injuries can vary from third degree to minor burns.

• Since most violations rated to this standard are the result of original equipment being shop fabricated, altered, modified, etc. instruct first-line supervisors to watch for such equipment and determine if it is in compliance with OSHA/NEC. If not, take equipment out of service immediately.
  

Multi-receptacle outlet box on the floor providing power to 3 extension cords. The supply power to the outlet box is provided by non-metallic sheath (NM) cable (arrow). The manner in which the outlet box and NM cable is used is not a prescribed use.
NM cable is being run across a field (above) to provide power to an outlet laying on ground (blow-up). It is being utilized as an extension cord. The use of the NM cable and outlet in this manner is not a prescribed use. NOTE: The NM cable is run on ground is not protected from damage (this particular cable was run across a subdivision street). When NM cable is used on a construction site it must be used in a manner prescribed such as wiring for feeders, branch lines and temporary lighting. Additionally, it must be installed properly and must be protected from physical damage.

	Hard service cord TYPE SO (arrow). NOTE: The strain relief devices for ends of the attachment plugs.
	2 wire ribbon type cord is not designed for HARD USAGE. NOTE: The 2 wire cord does not provide equipment grounding. Additionally, there are exposed terminal screws and conductors on the end of the cord which create a shock hazard.

• Use approved cords for HARD or EXTRA HARD USAGE (Designated S, ST, SO, STO, SJ, SJO, SJT or SJTO).
• Use only cords which are equipped or designed with strain relief.
• Use factory-assembled cord sets as much as possible.
• Reinforce the simple work practice that everyone learned when they were children -remove cords from receptacles by pulling on the plugs, not the cords.

1. There is no prohibition against fixing a cord or reattaching it to a plug. However, care must be taken to assure the original electrical and mechanical integrity of the cord is maintained.
2. Splices to flexible cords and cables are prohibited under 1926.405(g)(2)(iii) if their service rating is less than Hard Service No. 12. If the service rating is greater than No. 12 splices may be made provided they meet other mechanical requirements.
3. This standard was cited in 20 fatality inspections conducted in five years.

Strain relief provided for plug on cord.

The insulation of the cord (arrow) is pulling away from plug. The plug had earlier been repaired and it's original molded plug strain relief was compromised. Additionally, strain relief was not provided at the time of repair resulting in condition shown above.

1. 29 CFR 1926/1910: Construction Industry- OSHA Safety and Health Standards: OSHA 2207; Revised 1991; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
2. Electrical Standards for Construction: OSHA 3097; 1989 (Revised); U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
3. An Illustrated Guide to Electrical Safety: OSHA 3073; 1983 (Revised); U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
4. Ground Fault Protection on Construction Sites: OSHA 3007; 1990 (Reprint); U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington. DC.
5. ANSI/NFPA 70-1990: National Electrical Code; 1990; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincey, MA.
6. Construction Accidents:The Workers' Compensation Data Base 1985-1988; April 1992, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Construction and Engineering, Washington, DC.
7. ANSI 289.1-1969; Safety Requirements for Industrial Head Protection 1969; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
8. ANSI Z89.2-1 971; Safety Requirements for industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers; 1971; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
9. Personnel Protective Equipment: OSHA 3151; U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
10. Analysis of Construction Fatalities -The OSHA Data Base 19854982; Nov. 1990; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Construction and Engineering, Washington, DC.
11. Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Part III; Federal Register; Nov. 25, 1986; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
12. ANSI 910.14-1 975. Requirements for Safety Belts. Harnesses, Lanyards, Lifelines, and Droplines for Construction and Industrial Use.1971; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
13. ANSI-A10.11-1979; Standard for Safety Nets Used During Construction, Repair and Demolition 1979; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
14. 29 CFR Part 1926 Occupational Safety and Health Standards-Excavations: Final Rule: Part II; October 31, 1989; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
15. ANSI 287.1-1968. Practice for Occupational and Educational Eve and Face Protection, 1968, American National Standard's Institute, New York, NY.
16. 29 CFR 1910.134; Respiratory Protection, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
17. ANSI A10.8-1988; Scaffold Safety, 1988, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
18. 29 CFR 1926 Safety Standards for Stairways and Ladders Used in Construction Industry; Final Rule; Part III, Nov. 14, 1990, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
19. ANSI A10.18-1983 Construction and Demolition Operations: Temporary Floor and Wall Openings, Flat Roofs, Stairs, Railings, and Toeboards ­ Safety Requirements, 1983, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
20. Excavations; OSHA 2226; (Revised 1991), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
21. OSHA Electrical Hazard Fact Sheets, Revised Nov. 1983; William Watkins, PE for U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA Training Institute, Des Plaines, IL
22. Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Welding and Cutting as Found in Reports of OSHA Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations; August 1988, W. Cole, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Directorate of Policy, Washington DC.
23. ANSI Z49.1-1967 Safety in Welding and Cutting, American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
24. NGPA 51 ­ 1992 Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen ­ Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting and Allied Operations, 1992, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 25. Personnel Protective Equipment; OSHA 3151; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
25. Concrete and Masonry Construction; Final Rule, June 16, 1988; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
26. ANSI A10.9 ­ 1983 Concrete and Masonry Work ­ Safety Requirements; (Supplement A10.9A ­ April 1989); 1983; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
27. ANSI Z49.1 ­ 1967 Safety and Welding and Cutting; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY.
28. Employers Safety and Health Program; Appendix A; OSHA Instruction STD 3-1.1: June 22, 1987; Office of Construction and Maritime Compliance Assistance; U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC.
29. Excavation Safety: Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics; Appendix A: J.L. Mickle, PhD., PE (G. Bradberry author of Appendix A), for the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA Training Institute, Des Plaines, IL.
30. National Electrical Code Diagrams; William Watkins, PE for U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA Training Institute, Des Plaines, IL