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Guide to Safe Work Practices For Home Builders

Homesafe - 10 Point List

This pocket guide, "Guide to Safe Work

Practices for Home Builders," was developed

as cooperative working partnership between

the Home Builders Association of

Metropolitan Denver and the Region VIII

Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA), Denver, Colorado. It

is intended to be used as a quick reference

guide in conjunction with the "Homesafe"

Pilot Program. The guide is designed to assist

employers and employees in the home

building industry in the recognition and

avoidance of unsafe conditions and practices

referenced in the 10 point list.

Homesafe - 10 Point List

1. Safety Policy

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3. Scaffolding

4. Ladders

5. Construction Electrical Power & Power Cords

6. Access/Housekeeping

7. Open Holes & Unprotected Sides & Edges

8. Fall Protection

9. Excavations/Trenching

10. Power Tools and Motorized Equipment

For information on the "Homesafe" Pilot Program, as well as this pocket guide on other

Safety and Health issues concerning the home building industry, you should contact either:

(1) Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Denver - Safety Committee (303) 778-1400

or (2) Denver OSHA Area Office (303) 844-1600; Englewood OSHA Area Office (303) 843-

4500.

Safety Policy

Everyone performing business on the jobsite must have a safety program.

The most successful accident prevention program includes a clear statement of policy by the

owner/boss.

Work Site Policy:

• A safety program that clearly states the conditions for safe and healthful work and

working conditions must be available on the job site for everyone performing

business at that site.

• Safety programs should be simple, easy to understand, and implemented. It is

suggested the program be in writing whenever possible to provide additional clarity.

• Safety program is to be explained by management to all employees at time of hiring

and when needed. The program should be available for review at all times by all

employees and subcontractors.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Construction employees on the job site must use proper PPE when hazards exist or when

there is potential for injury.

Many serious injuries that have happened to construction workers could have been

prevented, or at least the severity of the injury would have been reduced, if the victim had

been wearing one or more protective devices. (See illustrations.)

The following items must be worn according to company policy:

• Hard hat

• Proper footwear shall consist of a good, sturdy boot.

• Protective eyewear* is to be worn when using air tools, saws, powder actuated tools

and needs to meet ANSI Z87 standards. * Check with manufacturer for proper use.

• Respirators.*

o Proper training.

o Proper fit.

o Proper maintenance.

o Refer to MSDS sheet for respirator information. * Check with manufacturer

for proper use.

• Ear protection. (Hearing loss is permanent.)

• Hand protection.

• For protection from abrasions, cuts and chemicals (concrete).

• Proper clothing.

Scaffolding

When used, scaffolding must be suitable for the job and adequate for the load.

Types of Scaffolds:

• Job-Built Wood

This type may be used for erection of trusses and for drywall where conventional

scaffold cannot be used.

• No scaffold shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered except under the

supervision of competent persons.

Erecting Job-Built Wood Scaffolding:

• No buckets.

• No plywood.

• Planks must be of scaffold-grade or equal.

• Planks cannot span more than 8 feet.

• Planks must be secured from movement.

• Cleats must span 3 studs, must be 2 6 or equal, and secured with three 16-penny nails

or 3 inch screws in each stud.

• Tubular Welded (metal frame)

Planks must be adequate for the load.

• Scaffold-grade plank, microlam, or aluminum only.

Erecting Tubular Steel Platform Scaffolding:

• According to manufacturer's recommendations only

• Properly maintained

Scaffold must sit on mud sills.

• This is only applicable to exterior use.

Erecting Pump Jack Scaffolding:

Wood or Aluminum

• According to manufacturer's recommendations only

• Properly maintained

• The poles, legs or uprights of the scaffolding shall be plumb and securely braced to

prevent swaying and/or displacement.

• Intermediate bracing is to be used on wood poles at 10 ft. intervals.

All pole braces (collars) are to be made of metal.

Wood or Aluminum

All pole braces (collars) are to be made of metal.

Erecting Pump Jack Scaffolding:

Wood or Aluminum

• Poles are to sit on mud sills at all times.

Erecting Pump Jack Scaffolding:

For Wood Only

• Poles made of straight grain wood must be nailed 12" on center on both sides, 30 ft.

maximum length.

Ladder Jack:

• Need additional ladder for access.

• Plank bracket must be at least 10" wide on each rung.

• Guardrails or fall protection required above 6'.

Ladder access must be provided.

• Workers must be provided a safe access on or off the walk planks, work platforms,

and/or scaffolding. Such access shall be provided by a ladder or equivalent safe

access.

• Scaffolds and their components shall be capable of supporting without failure at least

4 times the maximum intended load.

Ladders

Ladders must be adequate for the job and properly maintained (i.e. the right ladder for the

job).

Guidelines for Use:

• No job built ladders

• Clear scrap and material away from the base and top of the ladder, since getting on

and off the ladder is relatively hazardous.

• Always face the ladder when climbing up or down and while working from it.

• Maintain 3-point contact when climbing up or down; that means two hands and one

foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times.

• Keep your center of gravity between the side rails. Your belt buckle should never be

outside the side rails.

• Keep boots clean of mud, grease, or any slippery materials which could cause loss of

footing.

• Set straight or extension ladders 1 foot out for every 4 feet up.

• Secure at rest point when used for access.

• Do not splice short ladders together to make a long ladder. The side rails will not be

strong enough for the extra loads.

• Never use ladders horizontally as scaffold planks, runways, or any other service they

have not been designed for.

• Never rest a ladder on its rungs. Ladders must rest on the side rails.

• To erect long, awkward, or heavy ladders, get help to avoid injury from overexertion.

• When possible, avoid setting up ladders in doorways, passageways, driveways, or any

other location where they can be struck or knocked over.

• Before erecting, using, or working from ladders, always check for electrical hazards.

Never use aluminum ladders near live electrical equipment or wires.

• Ladders should be maintained and repaired so they are equal to original condition.

• Defective ladders should be taken out of service.

• Inspect non-skid feet for wear, imbedded material, and proper pivot action on swivel

feet.

• Do not position ladders against flexible or moveable surfaces.

Ladders used to access working platforms must be securely placed.

• Set the ladder on a firm, level surface.

• Never erect ladders on boxes, carts, tables, or other unstable surfaces.

• Stand no higher than the third rung (step ladder) or fourth rung (extension ladder)

from the top.

• Maintain knee contact for balance.

Construction Electrical Power & Power Cords

All temporary 110-volt construction power must be on a GFCI system.

• Temporary power poles must be securely staked prior to and during use.

Any split of 220-volt power to 110-volt must be protected through GFCI and properly wired.

• Power pole duplex and 220v must be free of all defects.

• All panels must be complete to include cover, dead front and GFCI.

• All defective and broken components replaced on a monthly schedule.

• All cords must have a ground prong in place.

• All cords must be of construction grade.

• Cords must be a minimum of three 14 gauge wire.

• No flat cords.

• No Romex used as cords.

There shall be no breaks or frays in electrical cords.

• The only acceptable repair for breaks and frays is the heat shrink wrap or an

equivalent repair system.

• Electrical tape is not an acceptable repair.

• Do not overload circuit.

• Junction box must be rated for construction.

• Must be waterproof.

Access/Housekeeping

Working areas must be free of excess debris.

• Working areas must have a designated disposal site and a daily cleaning schedule.

All passageways must be kept clear of obstructions.

Ramps and/or temporary stairs must be in place at required locations (19" or greater).

Open Holes & Unprotected Sides & Edges

Open-sided floors and holes, such as stairwells, door and window openings, and skylights

(that have a fall distance of more than 6 feet) must be protected by use of guardrails or covers

as soon as a hazard is created.

• Windows and doors not used for access will have guardrails.

• Any window with a sill below 36" requires a guardrail at 42".

• A standard guardrail shall be constructed of 2 4 or equivalent material and consist of

a top rail at 42", a midrail at 21", upright at 8' intervals and a toeboard when someone

is working below.

Fall Protection

All workers exposed to falls of 6' or greater must be protected by the use of conventional fall

protection (i.e. guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or slide guards.) Refer to

manufacturer's specifications for proper installation.

In cases where conventional personal fall arrest systems are not feasible or creates a greater

hazard, alternate safe work practices must be developed and implemented.

• Falls cause the highest number of serious injuries in the home building industry.

Full Body Harnesses

• Full body harnesses should be snug-fitting and worn with all hardware and straps

intact and properly fastened and maintained according to manufacturer's

specifications. (Body belts are not recommended.)

The employer must:

1. Select the most appropriate method of fall protection to protect the employee.

2. Acquire the necessary equipment.

3. Train the employee in proper equipment use.

4. Insure that the program is followed and employees accept their obligation to follow

the rules to protect themselves.

Roof Sheathing

• Only those workers trained in the roof sheathing process will be allowed to perform

this work.

• The bottom row of sheathing may be installed by workers standing in truss webs.

Low Pitch Roofs (less than 6/12)

• Slide guards shall be installed extending the width of the eave and securely attached

to the roof.

• On slopes greater than 6/12, up to and including 8/12, slide guards shall be installed

at intervals not to exceed 8'.

• At a pitch of 8/12 or greater, or when the fall distance is more than 25 feet,

conventional methods of fall protection must be used.

• Slide guards are to be constructed of a 2 4 flat and 2 6 on edge. Workers should

install the slide guard while standing in truss webs and leaning over the sheathing.

• Metal brackets for slide guards are recommended.

Excavation/Trenching

Excavation:

Foundation excavations shall be sloped and/or benched to the extent possible.

• Limited by property lines and utilities.

• When the house excavation exceeds 7 feet in depth, benching or sloping must start

at a depth of 5 feet.

• Ramps or ladders must be available to enter or exit the excavation.

• The minimum horizontal width (excavation face to formwork/wall) at the bottom of

the excavation is as wide as practicable but not less than two (2) feet.

Excavation:

• Vehicles and other heavy loads are kept a safe distance from the excavation (equal to

greater distance than depth).

• A trained, competent person is present at all times while employees are exposed to

cave-in hazards.

• Dirt removed from the hole must be at least 2 feet from the top of the slope.

• Surface drainage away from excavation.

Type A Soil

Type B Soil

Type C Soil

No variation from excavation standard allowed.

Trenching:

• The trench shall be examined by a trained, competent person daily to insure cave-in

hazards do not exist.

• No protective system required at less than 5 feet when the competent person

determines the soil is stable.

• Dirt removed from the hole must beat least 2' from the top of the slope.

• Ramps or ladders must be available to enter or exit the excavation.

• Protective system options include sloping, benching, shoring, trench boxes or any

other design system by a registered professional engineer.

Soil or Rock Type

Maximum Allowable

Slopes for Excavations

less than 20'

Stable Rock Vertical 90°

Type A to 1 53°

Type B 1 to 1 45°

Type C 1 to 1 34°

Trenching:

Power Tools & Motorized Equipment

All manufacturer's safety devices, such as saw guards, must be in place and operational.

• If cutting right-handed, keep the cord on that side of your body. Stand to one side of

the cutting line. Never reach under the material being cut. Never cross body when

setting saw down after use. (Right handed, set saw on right side; left handed, set saw

on left side.)

• Never operate an electric saw with the lower guard tied or wedged open or defective.

• Make sure that the lower guard returns to its proper position after a cut. Never operate

a saw with a defective guard retracting lever.

Employees using power tools and motorized equipment must be properly trained in the use

and operation of that equipment.

• Take the saw to the material. Never place the saw in a fixed, upside-down position

and feed material into it. Use a table saw instead.

• If a cut gets off line, don't force the saw back onto the line. Doing so may cause the

wood or saw to kick back with tremendous force, causing major injuries to abdomen,

legs, and hands. Withdraw the blade and either start over on the same line or begin on

a new line.

• Always keep your free hand on the long side of the lumber and clear of the saw.

Maintain a firm, well-balanced stance, particularly when working on uneven footing.

• Make sure the rip fence is aligned for slightly more clearance behind the blade than in

front. This will help prevent binding.

• Use a sharp blade with teeth properly set for the wood being cut. A dull or badly

gummed blade will cause friction, overheating, and binding.

• Match the speed rating of saw blades, grinding wheels, cut-off wheels, etc. to tool

speed. Too fast or too slow a rotation can damage the wheels, release fragments, and

injure workers.

• Always wear eye protection.

• Tablesaws need guards and anti-kick back equipment.

• Never stand directly behind the blade when cutting; stand to one side. See that other

workers stand clear as well.

Powder-Actuated Tools

These tools present obvious hazards. Only qualified, trained operators should be allowed to

use them. A qualified operator is a person thoroughly trained by a manufacturer's authorized

instructor and holds a "Qualified Operator's Card."

Pneumatic Tools (Air)

A. Compressors - large

• Always secure hose connections.

• Turn off the pressure to hoses when the system is not in use.

• Turn off the air pressure when changing pneumatic tools or attachments.

B. Compressors - small

• Powered by a gas motor that supplies air for the tools.

• Types of Air Powered Tools include chipping hammers, drills, grinders, sanders,

staplers, framing nailers, wrenches, brad nailers, air nozzles, buffers, impact tools,

and sprayers.

Precautions include:

• Running combustion engines outside or in a wellventilated area to prevent build-up of

carbon monoxide gas. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

• When moving compressors to another location, ask for help or use mechanical

devices to prevent back injuries.

• Never raise or lower tools with the air hose.

• Wear eye protection to prevent eye injury.

• Wear respiratory protection.

• Make sure hoses are clear of traffic and pose no tripping hazards.

• To prevent hearing loss, always wear hearing protection.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Keep hands away from discharge area-on nailers in

particular.

• Never "kink" a hose to stop air flow.

• Keep all tools in good working order per manufacturer's specifications.