MODULE 21

Construction Hazards and

Standards
 Construction vs. General
Industry
 “Construction, alteration and/or repair,
including painting and decorating” is
under 29 CFR 1926 – 29 CFR 1910.12
 Repair of existing facilities; replacement
of structures and their components
 Interpretation: Construction vs.
Maintenance

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 29 CFR 1926 Organization
A. General
B. General Interpretations
C. General Safety and Health Provisions
D. Occupational Health and Environmental
Controls
E. Personal Protective and Life Saving
Equipment
F. Fire Protection and Prevention
G. Signs, Signals, and Barricades
H. Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and
Disposal
3
I. Tools – Hand and Power ©2006 TEEX
 29 CFR 1926 Organization

J. Welding and Cutting

K. Electrical
L. Scaffolds
M. Fall Protection
N. Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
O. Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and
Marine Operations
P. Excavations
Q. Concrete and Masonry Construction
R. Steel Erection

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 29 CFR 1926 Organization

S. Underground Construction, Caissons,

Cofferdams, and Compressed Air
T. Demolition
U. Blasting and the Use of Explosives
V. Power Transmission and Distribution
W. Rollover Protective Structures; Overhead
Protection
X. Ladders
Y. Commercial Diving Operations
Z. Toxic and Hazardous Substances

5 ©2006 TEEX
 Hazards and Standards

 What hazards are employees exposed to:

 When they set up a drilling site?
 When they grade land or excavate?
 When they clear a site for use?
 Regulations in 29 CFR 1926:
 Subpart P – Excavations
 Subpart O – Motor Vehicles, Mechanized
Equipment, and Marine Operations
 If blasting: Subpart O
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29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
Excavations
 Excavation Hazards

 Excavating is
recognized as one of
the most hazardous
construction operations
 Fatality rate for
excavations is twice
that of construction as a
whole
 Cave-ins: More likely to
result in fatalities than
other excavation
hazards
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 Hazards of Excavation Work

 Cave-ins
 Underground utilities
 Materials/equipment falling into
excavation sites
 Asphyxiation
 Explosion
 Falls
 Drowning
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 Soil Mechanics

 Unit weight of soils:

 Varies with type and moisture content
 1 cubic foot can weigh 100 to >140 lbs
 1 cubic meter can weigh >3000 lbs

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 Types of excavation collapse

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 Heaving or Boiling

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 Definitions

 Excavation: any man-made cut, cavity,

trench, or depression in an earth
surface, formed by earth removal.
 Trench (Trench excavation): a narrow
excavation (in relation to its length)
made below the surface of the ground.
 Depth>width; width <15 feet
 <15 feet between structure and side
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 Definition – Competent Person

 Training, experience, and knowledge of:

 Soil analysis
 Use of protective systems
 Requirements of 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart P
 Ability to detect:
 Conditions that could result in cave-ins
 Failures in protective systems
 Hazardous atmospheres
 Other hazards including those associated with confined
spaces
 Authority to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate existing and predictable hazards and to
stop work when required
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 1926.651 Specific Excavation
Requirements
a. Remove or support surface
encumbrances (competent person)
b. Determine location of all underground
utilities before opening excavation
 OneCall system / 811
 Use safe means to determine exact
locations & protect underground utilities

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 1926.651(c) Access & Egress

 Structural ramps for access and egress

designed by competent person &
constructed according to design
 Bar is higher for equipment ramps
 Access & egress ramps designed to
avoid slipping or tripping

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 1926.651(c) Access & Egress
 Stairway, ladder, ramp, other safe
egress within 25 feet of employees in
trenches >4 feet deep
 Ladder requirements apply, including
extending 3 feet above top surface

4' or greater

Every 25'
17 ©2006 TEEX
 1926.651 Specific Excavation
Requirements
d. In traffic areas, reflective
vests required
e. No workers underneath
loads handled by lifting or
digging equipment.
f. Barricades, stop logs or
hand signals for mobile
equipment operating near
excavations

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 1926.651(g) Hazardous
atmospheres
 In excavations 4 feet or more where
hazardous atmospheres are likely to
exist must test atmosphere before
entering and retest as necessary
 Unsafe below 19.5% oxygen
 Stay below 20% of lower flammable limits
 Ventilation or PPE must be used as
required
 Rescue equipment available
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 1926.651(h) Water Accumulation

 Precautions required
before working for water
in excavations
 Competent Person must
monitor control measures
 If diverting surface water,
must take steps to
prevent water from
entering trench

20 ©2006 TEEX
 1926.651(i) Stability of adjacent
structures
 Structures adjacent to excavations must
be supported if stability is affected
 No excavation below adjacent footings
unless underpinned, or stable rock, or
approved by PE
 No undermining pavements unless
supported

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 1926.651 Specific Excavation
Requirements
j. Protect employees from falling rock,
soil, or materials/equipment falling into
excavations.
 Keep materials 2 feet from edge
 Retaining devices/barricades
k. Inspections by competent person,
daily and as needed during shift
l. Walkways to cross excavations
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 1926.652 Requirements for
protective systems
 Protection of employees in
excavations
 Design of sloping and
benching systems
 Design of support
systems, shield systems,
and other protective
systems
 Materials and equipment
 Installation and removal
23 ©2006 TEEX
 1926.652(a) Protection of
employees in excavations
 Use adequate protective system, except
 Excavations entirely in stable rock
 <5 feet and competent person sees no
potential for cave-in
 Capacity for all reasonably
expected loads

24 ©2006 TEEX
 1926.652(b) and (c) Design of
sloping and benching systems
 Four choices for sloping:
 Slope for type ‘C’, no steeper than 34°
 Use sloping choices from Appendices A, B
 Tabulated data determined by a PE
 Designed by a PE
 For support systems, shield systems, other:
 Design using Appendices A, C, D
 Manufacturer’s tabulated data
 Other tabulated data determined by a PE
 Designed by a PE

25 ©2006 TEEX
 1926.652(d) Materials and
equipment
 Materials for protective systems free
from damage & defects
 Used according to manufacturer’s
specifications
 If damaged,
competent person
must determine
suitability for
continued use
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 1926.652(e) Installation and
removal of support
 Support system members securely
connected together
 Installed & removed to assure employee
safety
 Keep within design
capacity
 Remove from bottom
first, and backfill as
you remove
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 1926.652(f) Sloping and
benching systems
 No working on sloped or benched faces
unless employees below are protected

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 1926.652(g) Shield systems

 Shield systems not subject to loads

exceeding their capacity
 Installed to restrict lateral movement
 Employee protection provided while
entering/exiting shields
 No employees in trench during installation or
removal of shields
 May excavate up to 2 feet below shield with
proper conditions
29 ©2006 TEEX
Trench
FOR box
EXAMPLE… Shoring

Subtitles & Transitions

Shielding
 1926 Subpart P Appendix A -
Soil Classification
 A method of categorizing soil and rock
deposits in a hierarchy:
 Stable Rock
 Type A – cohesive soil >1.5 tsf – with
exceptions
 Type B – cohesive soil >.5-1.5 tsf or
granular, disturbed, vibrated, fissured,
layered
 Type C – cohesive soil <.5 tsf or granular,
submerged, layered…
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32 ©2006 TEEX
 Soils - Types & Particle Size

 Gravel
 larger than 2 millimeters .
 Sand
 Between 0.075 and 2 millimeters
 Silt
 Between 0.002 and 0.075 millimeters
 Clay
 Smaller than 0.002 millimeters
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 Additional soil classification

 Layered geological strata: based on

weakest layer
 May be classified individually if weaker
is on top of stronger

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35 ©2006 TEEX
 1926 Subpart P Appendix A -
Soil Classification
 Each soil and rock deposit shall be
classified by a competent person
 Classification made based on at least
one visual and one manual analysis

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 Visual tests: Particle size

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 Visual tests

 Clumping
 Cracks or spalling
 Existing utilities/previously disturbed soil
 Layers and slope
 Water in surface, seeping, water table
 Vibration sources

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 Manual tests
 Plasticity
 Dry strength
 Thumb penetration
 Pocket penetrometer or shearvane
 Drying test

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29 CFR 1926 Subpart O

Motor Vehicles, Mechanized

Equipment, and Marine Operations
 Organization of Subpart O

 1926.600 - Equipment.
 1926.601 - Motor vehicles.
 1926.602 - Material handling equipment.
 1926.603 - Pile driving equipment.
 1926.604 - Site clearing.
 1926.605 - Marine operations and equipment.
 1926.606 - Definitions applicable to this
subpart.

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 1926.600(a) Equipment - General
Requirements
 Lights/reflectors on unattended equipment
next to highway
 Protection for tire changes on split rims
 Elevated equipment: protect from falling
 Parking brake, plus chocks for inclines
 Batteries: by Subpart K
 Cab glass: safety glass with no visible
distortion
 Movement around power lines or transmitters
 Stops for railroad cars on spurs

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 1926.601 – Motor Vehicles

a. Coverage.
 Motor vehicles that operate within an off-
highway jobsite, not open to public traffic
 Not for material handling equipment
covered under 1926.602.

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 1926.601(b) General
requirements
 Brake system in operable condition:
 Service brake system
 Emergency brake system
 Parking brake system
 2 headlights & 2 taillights if needed,
depending on visibility
 Brake lights regardless of visibility

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 1926.601(b) General
requirements
 Audible warning device (horn)
 Obstructed rear view: must have
 Reverse signal alarm audible above
surrounding noise level or
 Backed up only when observer signals that
it is safe
 Windshields & powered wipers on cabs
 Fix cracked glass
 Defogger/defroster where necessary
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 1926.601(b) General
requirements
 Haulage vehicles: cab shield and/or
canopy adequate to protect the operator
from shifting or falling materials
 Secure tools and material from
movement in compartments with
employees
 Seats firmly secured and adequate for
employees being carried
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 1926.601(b) General
requirements
 Seat belts and anchorages meeting 49
CFR Part 571
 Dump bodies supported, locked into
position for maintenance or inspection
 Latch on hoisting/dumping devices to
prevent accidental operation
 Trip handle of dump truck tailgate:
operator must be clear when dumping
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 1926.601(b) General
requirements
 Rubber-tired equipment must have
fenders or mud flaps
 Vehicles checked at beginning of shift:
 All brake systems Controls
 Tires Safety devices
 Horn Lights/reflectors
 Steering Wipers/defrosters
 Coupling Fire extinguishers
 Seat belt
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 1926.602 – Material Handling
Equipment
 Application:
 Scrapers, loaders, crawler or wheel
tractors, bulldozers, off-highway trucks,
graders, agricultural and industrial tractors,
and similar equipment
 Compactors and rubber-tired "skid-steer"
equipment: reserved

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 1926.602(a)(2) Seat belts

 Provided and must meet standards

 Not necessary for standup operations
 Not necessary for equipment without
roll-over protective structure (ROPS) or
canopy protection
 ROPS: See 1926 Subpart W

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 1926.602(a) Earthmoving
equipment; General
 Access roadways and grades
 Must be constructed and maintained for
safe movement of equipment involved
 Emergency access ramps or berms to
restrain and control runaway vehicles
 Service braking system
 Capable of stopping and holding fully
loaded equipment
 SAE standards apply

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 1926.602(a) Earthmoving
equipment; General
 Fenders on pneumatic-tired earth-
moving equipment >15 mph
 Suspended pending reevaluation
 ROPS and overhead protection:
Subpart W
 Horns for bidirectional machines
 Reverse signal alarm
 Guard all scissor points
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 1926.602(b) Excavating and
other equipment
 Seatbelts for tractor operation
 Power Crane and Shovel Associations
Standards No. 1 and No. 2 of 1968, and
No. 3 of 1969 adopted

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 1926.602(c) Lifting and hauling
equipment
 Other than that covered by Subpart N
 1926.600 and:
 Ratings clearly visible and not exceeded
 No modifications or additions without
manufacturer’s written approval
 Multiple trucks together: proportion of load
must not exceed capacity
 Steering knobs not attached unless
spinning prevented

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 1926.602(c) Lifting and hauling
equipment
 Overhead guards for high lift rider
industrial trucks
 ANSI B56.1-1969
 Riding on industrial trucks:
 No unauthorized personnel
 Safe place to ride

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 1926.602(c)(1)(viii) Lifting
Personnel
 Only where designed for that purpose
by manufacturer! (interpretation)
 Safety platform secured to lifting
carriage or forks
 Riding personnel must be able to shut
off power to truck
 Falling object protection

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 Powered industrial truck
training
 Identical to 1910.178

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 1926.603 Pile driving equipment

 General requirements
 Barges or floats: 1926.605
 Pile driving equipment

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 1926.604 Site clearing

 Protect from toxic/irritant plants

 Instruct in first aid treatment
 Rollover guards
 Overhead and rear canopy guards:
 At least 1/8” steel plate or 1/4” wire mesh
with up to 1” openings
 Rear of canopy: at least 1/4” wire mesh
with up to 1” openings
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 1926.605 Marine operations and
equipment
 Material handling: 1918, Longshoring
 Access to barges
 Working surfaces of barges
 First-aid and lifesaving equipment
 Commercial diving operations: 1926
Subpart T

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 1926 Subpart W: Rollover
Protective Structures (ROPS)
 This construction equipment must have
ROPS meeting minimum performance
standards:
 Rubber-tired, self-propelled scrapers
 Rubber-tired front-end loaders
 Rubber-tired dozers
 Wheel-type agricultural and industrial tractors
 Crawler tractors
 Crawler-type loaders
 Motor graders, with or without attachments
 NOT sideboom pipe laying tractors

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 Rollover Protective Structures

 Purpose: Prevent complete overturn;

minimize possibility of crushed operator
 Driver could still be crushed if not
wearing a seatbelt!
 Also in subpart W:
 Testing provisions
 Rule for overhead protection

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29 CFR 1926 Subpart L
Scaffolds
 Application of Scaffold
Regulations
 What is a scaffold?
 What is covered by 29 CFR 1926
Subpart L?
 Where are scaffolds used in oil and
gas?

64 ©2006 TEEX