OSHA, NAHB Unveil Residential Construction Safety Web Site
Words: Dan KamysThe nation's residential construction workers stand to benefit from a new web page, Residential Construction Safety and Health (www.osha.gov/SLTC/residential/), unveiled August 13th by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The page is a product of OSHA's Alliance with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
"This new page focuses industry-specific safety and health information that can help employers and workers establish and maintain safer work sites," says OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "It's a perfect example of how the Alliance program can leverage resources to maximize worker protections."
More than 1.5 million Americans are employed in the construction industry, half of which work in residential construction. Because residential construction workers have more flexibility when building homes to meet the homeowner's specifications, they also face a unique set of hazards and safety considerations.
OSHA's new page features information about OSHA standards and the hazards present in residential construction. It also provides detailed information and links to related OSHA enforcement policies, such as directives and interpretation letters, various electronic assistance tools, and training courses related to residential construction.
Employers and workers can access information that can be used to develop and implement safety and health programs, and link to sites that identify the hazards of residential construction and possible solutions to those hazards.
OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.