Construction and Safety Program
Stored: Construction Safety and Health Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| Top Organization | Department of Labor |
| Creation Legislation | Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The OSHA Construction Safety and Health Program established standards and enforcement to protect workers from hazards in the construction industry. It aimed to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities through inspections, training, and compliance assistance. |
| Program Start | 1971 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
OSHA Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP) is a Department of Labor initiative administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that safeguards over 7 million construction workers across the United States by enforcing safety standards, conducting over 30,000 inspections annually, and addressing high-hazard risks like falls, electrocutions, and struck-by incidents, which account for over 60% of construction fatalities as of 2025. Launched in 1971, it encompasses regulations under 29 CFR 1926, training via the OSHA Training Institute, and outreach through programs like the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), reducing injury rates by up to 50% at inspected sites and influencing over $1 billion in safety investments annually.
Goals
- Reduce construction-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through targeted standards and enforcement.[1]
- Enhance worker safety training and hazard awareness, targeting over 7 million workers.
- Promote compliance with safety regulations to ensure safe working conditions nationwide.
Organization
The OSHA Construction Safety and Health Program was managed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Department of Labor, operating through 10 regional offices, 85 area offices, and a network of compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs).[2] Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2025 at $620 million for OSHA overall, supporting inspections, training programs like the OSHA Training Institute (est. 1972), and enforcement of 29 CFR 1926 standards. It collaborates with state plans in 29 jurisdictions and industry partners.
The leader at the Department of Labor level is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, currently Douglas L. Parker (as of February 19, 2025).
History
The OSHA Construction Safety and Health Program was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970, with enforcement beginning April 28, 1971, to address rising construction fatalities post-World War II.[3] It evolved with key milestones like the OSHA Training Institute (1972), Voluntary Protection Programs (1982), and a 2025 PPE fit rule revision (effective January 13, 2025), adapting to modern hazards like silica dust and falls, maintaining relevance through over 30 National Emphasis Programs (NEPs) by 2025.
Funding
Initial funding in 1971 came from Congressional appropriations, with OSHA’s first-year budget at $41 million supporting early enforcement.[4] Funding began in 1971 and continues, with FY 2025 at $620 million, supporting over 2,000 staff, 30,000+ inspections, and training, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like the 2025 trenching safety NEP. Additional resources come from fines and state plan contributions.
Implementation
The program was implemented through construction-specific standards (29 CFR 1926), inspections targeting high-hazard sites, and training via the OSHA Training Institute and outreach programs, with over 30,000 inspections annually.[5] It operates continuously with priority targeting via Site-Specific Targeting (SST) and NEPs, with no end date, adapting in 2025 to enforce new PPE fit rules and address fall hazards.
Related
- OSHA Training Institute
- Voluntary Protection Programs
- National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation
External links
- https://www.osha.gov/construction
- https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha - OSHA overview
- https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/occupational-safety-and-health-administration - Federal Register OSHA documents
- wikipedia:Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Social media
References
- ↑ "Construction Industry Overview," OSHA, https://www.osha.gov/construction, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "OSHA Organization," OSHA, https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "OSHA History," OSHA, https://www.osha.gov/history, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "OSHA Budget History," OSHA, https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha/budget, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Construction Enforcement," OSHA, https://www.osha.gov/construction, accessed February 19, 2025.