An effective safety and health training program is one of the best ways that a contractor can improve their overall safety and health management program for workers of all experience levels especially those new to the construction industry. Research shows that this particular group of workers has a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than more experienced workers. Over the past several years, AGC has developed training materials for contractors covering a wide ranges of topics. These resources are available below for download and use to enhance, or supplement, your current training offerings.
Thirteen Tips for Improving Safety
After making significant progress in reducing the total number of construction fatalities from a record high of 1,239 in 2006 to a record low of 738 in 2011, the total number of construction fatalities has once again begun to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 874 construction workers – residential and commercial – died in 2014. So we are urging all firms, regardless of their size, to take the following 13 steps to further improve workplace safety with a special focus on making sure the growing number of new and relatively inexperienced workers joining many firms have the training needed to protect themselves and their co-workers. Click here to download the thirteen tips.
Fall Protection Training in the Construction Industry
Consistently, 34-39% of construction fatalities are from falls. Each year, falls account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry, especially with small businesses. On average, nearly 400 workers are killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls in the construction industry each year. To assist with training on fall protection we have provided each module for download below.
- Introduction and Basic Requirements
- Scaffolds, Ladders, and Lifts
- Commercial Roof Fall Safety
- Steel Erection
- Concrete Operations
- Wood Frame Construction
- Fall Arrest and Fall Rescue
Safety Training for the Focus Four Hazards in the Construction Industry
The Focus Four hazards account for the greatest number of preventable fatalities in the construction industry despite Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and special emphasis enforcement programs. The Focus Four training program will include OSHA standards and Industry Best Practices to abate the Focus Four Hazards, how to identify locations of the Focus Four Hazards, and selection and criteria of Focus Four Hazards safety systems and equipment. To assist with training on the Focus Four Hazards we have provided each module for download below.
Other Safety and Health Resources
OSHA Training Requirements
Many OSHA standards include explicit safety and health training requirements to ensure that workers have the required skills and knowledge to safely do their work. These requirements reflect the belief that training is an essential part of every employer’s safety and health program for protecting workers from injuries and illnesses. To assist employers, safety and health professionals, training directors and others with a need to know, OSHA’s training-related requirements have been excerpted and collected in this updated booklet.
Training in the safe way for workers to do their jobs well is an investment that will pay back over and over again in fewer injuries and illnesses, better morale, lower insurance premiums and more. It is a good idea to keep a record of all safety and health training. Documentation can also supply an answer to one of the first questions an incident investigator will ask: “Did the employee receive adequate training to do the job?” The training requirements for the construction industry can be found on pages 143 – 237.
Click here to download the OSHA booklet.
OSHA Construction eTools
Construction can be a safe occupation when workers are aware of the hazards, and their employer implements an effective Safety and Health Program. There are numerous hazards that can lead to serious injury in the construction industry. The hazards addressed in this eTool* have been selected because statistics show they cause most construction-related fatalities. An effective Safety and Health Program should focus on these areas to help ensure that potentially fatal accidents are prevented.
Click here to access OSHA's Construction eTools.
This page was last updated on February 28, 2019.