Construction Safety Policy : Guidelines for Employers

People who work as construction workers face real dangers when they are on duty. According to 2009 data released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction work is the third most dangerous job in the country when it comes to fatality rate. The data show that for construction workers, fatality rate is 61.8 per 100,000 full-time laborers.

Construction workers play a very important role in the nation’s development and building – literally and figuratively. Without the people who work in construction sites, it is impossible for commercial buildings, hotels, condominiums, hospitals, and other essential structures to be built.

Construction employers and companies must prioritize the safety of their employees. If an accident happens in the workplace due to the employer’s negligence, victims can assert for compensation claims with the help of a construction injury attorney.

Guidelines for the safety of construction laborers in California were stated in Code of Regulations, Title 8 or Construction Safety Orders. Pursuant to Title 8, employers must prioritize the safety of their workers by:

• Intentionally allowing workers to work in an unsafe place, unless for the purpose of making it safe and right only then sufficient precautions have to be implemented to protect the employee
• Employers should make a thorough survey of the conditions of the work area to determine the predictable hazards for workers and to know the safety measures which need to be implemented

The California Construction Safety Orders also ask construction employers to implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program. The following are the guidelines employers may follow when enforcing an accident prevention program:

• Every employer shall make a written Code of Safe Practices that will relate to the company’s operations.
• The Code of Safe Practices shall be posted in noticeable location at each work site.
• Meetings of supervisors shall be conducted under the direction of the management for the purpose of discussing safety problems and mishaps that have occurred.

If the construction company failed to impose adequate safety standards for its employees and an accident happens because of it, victims may file for compensation claims for their losses. Injured workers can ask for the help of a construction injury attorney to strengthen their personal injury claim.