Safety Consultation
Construction Focused Inspections
A.
General Guidelines
1. The Focused Inspections Initiative that became effective October
1, 1994 is a significant departure from how OSHA has
previously conducted construction inspections. This Initiative
will recognize the efforts of responsible contractors who have
implemented effective safety and health programs/plans, and will
encourage other contractors to adopt similar programs. The
number of inspections is no longer driving the construction
inspection program. The measure of success of this new policy
will be an overall improvement in construction jobsite safety
and health.
2.
The Focused Inspections Initiative will enable OSHA to focus on
the leading hazards that cause 90% of the injuries and deaths.
The leading hazards are:
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falls, (e.g., floors, platforms, roofs)
-
struck by, (e.g., falling objects, vehicles)
-
caught in/between (e.g., cave-ins, unguarded
-
machinery, equipment)
-
electrical (e.g., overhead power lines, power tools and cords,
outlets, temporary wiring)
3. Under the Focused Inspection Initiative, CSHO's shall determine
whether or not there is project coordination by the general
contractor, prime contractor, or other such entity and conduct a
brief review of the project's safety and health program/plan to
determine whether or not the project qualifies for a Focused
Inspection.
In order to qualify, the following conditions must be met:
-
the project safety and health program/plan meets the
requirements of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart C General Safety and Health
Provisions, and
-
there is a designated competent person responsible for and
capable of implementing the program/plan.
-
4.
If the project meets the above criteria, an abbreviated
walk-around inspection shall be conducted focusing on:
-
verification of the safety and health program/plan effectiveness
by interviews and observation;
-
the four leading hazards listed above, and
-
other serious hazards observed by the CSHO.
5. The CSHO conducting a Focused Inspection is not required to
inspect the entire project. Only a representative portion of the
project need be inspected as stated in CPL 2.103, September 26,
1994, FIRM, chapter II section A.1.b.
6. The CSHO
shall make the determination as to whether a project's safety
and health program/plan is effective, but if conditions observed
on the project indicate otherwise, the CSHO shall immediately
terminate the Focused Inspection and conduct a comprehensive
inspection. The discovery of serious violations during a Focused
Inspection need not automatically convert the Focused Inspection
into a comprehensive inspection. These decisions will be based
on the professional judgment of the CSHO.
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