Legislation in the Construction Process

Legislation in the Construction Process

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The Occupational Safety & Health Administration requires constructors to take measures that will protect the workers. According to the regulations, the secretary of labor or any other authorized person shall have the right of entry to any site for the purposes of inspecting or investigating (2014). This legislation is relevant and very important. It is applicable during all the processes of the construction process. It is done in the hope of ensuring that the contractor has complied with the safety and health standards as required by law. The secretary of labor has a duty to ensure the safety of all the workers and the rest of the people. Therefore, it is important that he or she inspect the construction from the time it begins until its completion.

In addition, all employers are required to ensure that every worker wears personal protective equipment as a way of reducing hazards to the workers. This includes eye, respiratory, ear, feet, and head protection. In addition, the employer is required to provide safety nets, safety belts, lifelines, protective clothing, and adequate protection when working over or near water. in cases where the workers are responsible for providing for their own equipment, the employer has the responsibility of ensuring that the equipment is adequate and up to standard. The type of materials required largely depends on the elements that that the workers are exposed to in their daily routine. Employees may require different protection when they are exposed to environmental, mechanical, or chemical hazards. This is relevant during the entire construction process as it ensures the safety of the workers.

Moreover, the employer is responsible for the development and maintenance of effective fire prevention and protection programs. This is relevant in construction and other areas as well. Fire can be destructive to property and lives. It is important that the workers understand how they can protect themselves in case of a fire and how they can prevent one from occurring. They deal with hazardous materials and electricity, and careless handling of either can cause a fire. This is applicable throughout all the phases of the construction process including any repair and demolition phases.

Reference:

OSHA 2014, ‘Safety and health regulations for construction’, United States Department of Labor, viewed 13 June 2015, < https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926 >.