Construction safety regulations are meant to protect the health and safety of all construction workers, including contractors. If a contractor violates these safety regulations, they could be personally liable in accordance with state statutes. In addition to this personal liability, the contractor would have to pay fines and penalties, which could increase total project costs. It is imperative that contractors fully understand their roles in ensuring proper construction site inspections are performed before work begins. Here is how a contractor might violate construction safety regulations.
Lack of Safety Training
An OSHA 10-hour card is required for every construction worker that works on a job site, not just employees. This training can be granted by either the state or a certified training professional. Without proper training, a contractor could be liable for unnecessary accidents that result in injury or death. In San Antonio, for example, OSHA has an inspection team that will visit individual job sites to ensure that the proper safety precautions are being taken. If a contractor does not have a safety team adequately trained in and enforcing these regulations, fines and penalties could be levied against both the contractor and the general contractor. Lack of safety can easily lead to accidents. In San Antonio, for these types of accidents, the contractor can be held liable. So a worker can file a claim against the contractor and recover the losses in case of an accident. To do that, the victim should be able to prove the liability which can be hard without the help of a lawyer. Construction accident attorneys in San Antonio help victims to recover their losses by proving the negligence of the contractors.
Lack of Site Inspections
Before work begins on a construction site, the state will require that the site be inspected by a professional in order to ensure that all health and safety regulations are met. When the site is not fully inspected, violations could occur that put both workers and the public in harm’s way. If a contractor does not ensure that an adequate inspection is completed before work begins, they could be held privately liable as well as fined and penalized by the state. Some specific examples of how site inspections are conducted include ensuring there are posted safety signs at every work site entrance and exit, proper safety equipment being worn at all times by workers, such as hard hats and steel toe boots, and heat levels are properly maintained to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Lack of Safety Equipment
Each piece of construction equipment must be in excellent working condition, according to OSHA standards, before it is allowed on a job site. A contractor who cannot provide this type of equipment could be held liable for workers who are injured or killed as a result of not having safe tools to work with at all times.
Failure to Provide Project Information
Safety plans have been implemented to provide the project information necessary for contractors to properly carry out their duties. The plans must include all safety procedures, including fire and rescue protection, hazardous materials handling, and safety inspections. Failure to complete inspections will result in personal liability and fines against the contractor if the information from these plans is unavailable at the site.
In conclusion, construction safety regulations are vital for every contractor to follow so that workers, customers, and the public are properly protected. If a contractor does not follow these regulations, they could be held personally liable for workers who are injured due to the lack of attention.
