In the construction field, workers engage in activities which may expose them to a range of serious hazards, including electrocution, toxins such as asbestos, falls from great heights and injuries caused by construction equipment.
It is essential for construction sites to follow good safety practices to protect everyone who enters the site. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), operates at the federal and state levels and is responsible for enforcing federal codes that apply to construction worksites.
Nevada is considered a “state plan” state, which means that it uses its own federally approved occupational safety program. Nevada has adopted federal safety standards and added its own state-specific requirements that are stricter than federal requirements for some aspects.
Some of the construction site security requirements in Nevada include:
Training And Safety Plans
In Nevada, all construction site workers and supervisors are required to complete construction training courses of 10 and 30 hours, respectively. In addition, all private and public sector employers who have more than 10 employees must develop written safety plans, while those with 25 or more employees at a worksite must establish safety committees.
Designated Safety Officer
A designated safety officer for a Nevada construction site is a person capable of identifying the predictable and existing hazards in areas around a construction project and any working conditions at a construction project that are dangerous, hazardous or unsanitary. The designated safety officer must have the authority to take swift corrective measures to eradicate these hazards.
There are also requirements that pertain to specific hazards. For example, for those working with asbestos, lead or on scaffolding, there must be a competent individual on site who has been trained to work with these hazards.
Elevators And Hoists
The general contractor or owner of a construction project must install an elevator or a personnel hoist that can be used to transport workers for every building or structure involved in the project that stands more than 60 feet above ground level. This is measured from the ground level up to the highest structural level, including mechanical rooms or stair towers but excluding antennas, smokestacks and attachments such as flagpoles.
The requirement also applies to structures that are more than 48 feet below ground level. The building’s depth is measured from the ground level to the building’s lowest floor level, excluding any local depression such as an elevator pit or sump.
The elevator or hoist is required to be installed within 10 working days of the date on which the structure reaches the height requirements. It must operate to a level that is not less than three floors below the highest floor erected and should be equipped with voice communication equipment that allows communication to take place between the hoist or elevator and each floor in an emergency.
Confined Spaces In Construction
Those who are working in confined spaces such as crawl spaces, tanks and manholes face life-threatening hazards. Before work at a construction site commences, employers must ensure that a competent person has identified confined spaces in which its employees might work as well as those that are considered permit spaces.
Signs must be placed on permit spaces warning of the need for a permit and the danger posed by the space. When entrance covers to such areas are removed, the opening must be guarded immediately with a temporary cover or railing to prevent accidental falls by people or foreign objects. The internal atmosphere of the space must be tested for oxygen, air contaminants and flammable gases and vapors.
Illumination
All construction areas, including corridors, offices, storage areas, stairs and aisles, where work is in progress must be lighted with artificial or natural illumination that meets the minimum illumination requirements as set out in Subpart D of the OSHA General Safety and Health Provisions Standard Number 1926.26.
Eye And Face Protection
OSHA requires that workers are to be given appropriate face and eye protection any time they will be exposed to hazards from flying particles, liquid chemicals, caustic liquids or acids, light radiation, chemical vapors or gases or molten metal.
Workers who use prescription lenses must be given eye protection that incorporates the prescription or can be worn over their prescription lenses without compromising their proper position. They must fit snugly, be reasonably comfortable and be capable of being disinfected.
Construction Site Security
In addition to safety, security is a major concern for all construction sites. Securing the perimeter of a construction site with appropriate fencing and installing lights around the perimeter and in high-value areas can deter thieves and vandals, but one of the best deterrents is a visible security presence. Although this may not be specifically required by law, trained security officers protect a construction site’s assets and enhance the safety of everyone on the grounds.
Get In Touch With The Experienced Construction Site Security Team
Reach out to the construction site security professionals at American Protection Group to find out how their experienced team can provide your site with a high level of protection. From securing the site and your assets, to monitoring for intruders and actively resolving conflicts and emergencies, their security officers can improve safety on your site while preventing loss and reducing liability.