OSHA Construction Safety Compliance Checklist

1

Fall Protection

7,271 citations FY2024 — #1 most-cited for 14 consecutive years

29 CFR 1926.501 / .502 / .503

Fall protection provided at 6 ft or greater (guardrails, safety nets, or PFAS)

Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) inspected before each use — harness, lanyard, anchor

Anchor points rated for 5,000 lbs per worker or designed by qualified person

Guardrails at 42” with midrail at 21” — toeboard where needed

Holes and openings covered or guarded (covers labeled “HOLE” or “COVER”)

Rescue plan in place before work at height begins

2

Scaffolding

4,547 citations FY2024

29 CFR 1926.451 / .452

Scaffold erected under direction of competent person

Competent person inspects scaffold before each shift and after weather event

Guardrails on all open sides and ends at 10 ft or above

Scaffold platform fully planked (no gaps > 1”) and secured

Safe access provided (ladder, stair tower, ramp) — no climbing cross-braces

Base plates, mudsills, and leveling jacks on firm foundation

3

Ladder Safety

3,256 citations FY2024

29 CFR 1926.1053

Ladders inspected before use — no bent rails, missing rungs, or damage

Extension ladders extend 3 ft above landing surface

Ladder set at 4:1 ratio (1 ft out for every 4 ft up)

3-point contact maintained while climbing (two hands + one foot or two feet + one hand)

Ladder secured at top and/or bottom to prevent displacement

No metal ladders near electrical hazards

4

Excavation & Trenching

2,400+ citations annually

29 CFR 1926 Subpart P

Protective system in place for excavations > 5 ft deep (sloping, shoring, or shield)

Competent person inspects excavation daily and after rain/vibration/freeze

Spoil pile set back ≥ 2 ft from edge of excavation

Exit route (ladder, ramp, steps) within 25 ft of travel in trenches ≥ 4 ft deep

Underground utilities located and marked before digging (811 called)

Atmospheric testing done where hazardous atmosphere possible

5

Hazard Communication / GHS

#1 General Industry citation — 2,000+ citations annually

29 CFR 1910.1200

Written Hazard Communication Program on site and accessible

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available for all hazardous chemicals on site

All containers labeled with GHS-compliant labels (product name, pictograms, signal word)

Chemical inventory list maintained and current

Employees trained on chemicals in their work area and how to read SDS/labels

6

Lockout / Tagout (LOTO)

1,900+ citations annually

29 CFR 1910.147

Written energy control procedures exist for each machine/equipment

Locks and tags applied to all energy isolation devices before servicing

Stored energy verified as zero (try-start, pressure bleed, capacitor discharge)

Authorized employees trained on LOTO procedures for their equipment

Annual periodic inspection of energy control procedures completed

7

Respiratory Protection

2,100+ citations annually

29 CFR 1910.134

Written respiratory protection program maintained and accessible

Medical evaluation completed for each respirator user before fit test

Annual fit test completed and documented (same make/model/size employee uses)

Respirator inspected before each use — no damage, proper cartridge, seal intact

Employees trained on proper use, limitations, and maintenance of their respirator

8

Eye & Face Protection

1,500+ citations annually

29 CFR 1926.102

Eye/face protection provided where flying particles, molten metal, chemicals, or radiation exist

Protection type matches hazard (safety glasses, goggles, face shield, welding helmet)

Eye protection meets ANSI Z87.1 standard (marked on frame and lens)

Side shields installed where side exposure to flying objects exists

PPE inspected, clean, and in good condition before use

9

Powered Industrial Trucks

1,400+ citations annually

29 CFR 1910.178

Pre-operation inspection completed (brakes, steering, horn, lights, forks, hydraulic leaks)

Operator training certification on file (classroom + practical + evaluation)

Refresher training provided after observed unsafe operation or near-miss

Seatbelt worn (sit-down riders); pedestrian zones marked and enforced

Load capacity not exceeded; forks lowered when traveling

10

Fall Protection — Training

1,300+ citations annually

29 CFR 1926.503

Each employee trained to recognize fall hazards and procedures to minimize them

Training conducted by competent person — documented with date, name, and trainer signature

Retraining provided when: employee doesn’t understand, hazards change, or fall protection systems change

Written certification of training maintained (employee name, date, trainer signature)

Employees can demonstrate proper use of fall protection equipment assigned to them