Page 133 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

3.18 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

OSHA directive CPL 2.113 directs the area directors to “thoroughly” investigate the
event to
• Determine the cause
• Determine whether any OSHA standard has been violated related to the incident
• Determine the effect that a violation of the standard had on the incident
The directive further directs the area director that the incident shall be investigated by
appropriately trained and experienced compliance officers as soon as possible. However,
during any rescue operation, OSHA has no authority to direct rescue activities; these are
the responsibility of local authorities. OSHA does have the authority to monitor the work-
ing conditions of the workers engaged in the rescue operation.
Note that there are numerous construction incidents which do not necessarily result in
any injuries or deaths. OSHA area directors have the authority to investigate even those
incidents to determine the cause of the incident and to determine whether any OSHA stan-
dard has been violated. In case of construction incidents of a complex nature, the compli-
ance officers are assisted by the engineers from the OSHA national office, who help
determine the cause or probable cause of the incident. In the event of a violation of any
OSHA standard or general industry practice under the general duty clause, citations are
issued by the OSHA area office director to the employers. See the above discussion on dif-
ferent classes of violations. Section 17(e) of the act provides that if an employer has will-
fully violated OSHA standards or rules which caused the death of an employee, the case
can be referred to the regional solicitor for possible criminal review.

OSHA CONSTRUCTION SAFETY STANDARDS

3
The Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Part 1926 has 26 subparts:
Subpart A: General
Subpart B: General Interpretations
Subpart C: General Safety and Health Provisions
Subpart D: Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
Subpart E: Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment
Subpart F: Fire Protection and Prevention
Subpart G: Signs, Signals, and Barricades
Subpart H: Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal
Subpart I: Tools—Hand and Power
Subpart J: Welding and Cutting
Subpart K: Electrical
Subpart L: Scaffolds
Subpart M: Fall Protection
Subpart N: Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
Subpart O: Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and Marine Operations
Subpart P : Excavations
Subpart Q: Concrete and Masonry Construction
Subpart R: Steel Construction