UF Construction Safety Resources

Environmental Health and Safety has assembled this document to assist construction project managers, supervisors and workers as a reference to help assure that all work at UF facilities is carried out in a safe and healthful manner. This page gives managers and contractors much information in a single source, most OSHA, State of Florida and UF construction safety requirements. It should be noted that work performed by UF staff is additionally governed by UF policy that often exceed these basic OSHA requirements.

Building Code Enforcement Page  Note: All work performed at UF that results in a capital improvement must be performed under a UF Building Permit.

Concrete and Masonry Fall Protection Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Confined Spaces Hazard Communication Scaffolds
Cranes, Derricks, Hoists Hot Work - Welding and Cutting Traffic Control
Electrical Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Trenching and Excavations

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General Construction Safety and Health

50 Most Frequently Cited Standards

General Construction eTools from OSHA - A good starting place for construction safety. eTools are electronic Compliance Assistance Tools which provide guidance information for the development of a comprehensive safety and health program. Therefore, they include elements which go beyond specific OSHA mandates, such as recommendations for good industry practice. 

Construction Safety: Choice or Chance - A 15 minute video which highlights the four leading causes of fatalities on construction sites and stresses the responsibility for safety as a joint effort of government, management, and employees. (April 2000)

Electronic Library of Construction Safety and Health - Excellent Resource for all construction safety issues

Designations for General Industry Standards Incorporated Into Body of Construction Standards

Overview for Subpart C - General Safety and Health Provisions

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Construction Focused Inspections Initiative

Concrete and Masonry - Silica Advisor - Cutting of concrete and other masonry materials can release airborne silica, a significant respiratory hazard

Confined Spaces

UF Confined Spaces Policy  Applies to all work performed by UF staff and students

OSHA - Construction Confined Spaces

Cranes, Derricks, Hoists

Crane Safety for the Site Superintendent - This 8 minute video discusses some of the hazards and risks involved in crane operations. It identifies information project managers should be familiar with if cranes are operating on their site. (1992)

Sling Angle Information from Crosby

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Electrical - Ground Fault Protection on Construction Sites - This 14 minute video provides information about shock and electrocution hazards and how these can be reduced through proper grounding. (1982)

Fall Protection

What's the Fall Distance - This 22 minute video introduces fall distance calculations for personal fall arrest systems. Topics covered include anchor points, lanyard types, lanyard reach and various harness types. (July, 1998) 

Note: OSHA 1926.501(b)(2)(i) states:  Each employee who is constructing a leading edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502. OSHA further states: "There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to implement at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is appropriate to implement a fall protection plan which complies with 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems."

Hazard Communication

UF Hazard Communication Program Pages

MSDS Links

Documentation for IDLH Concentrations

Hot Work - Welding and Cutting

Hot work shall be carried out in accordance with OSHA and NFPA 51B. It includes: grinding, powder-driven fasteners, hot riveting, and similar applications producing a spark, flame, or heat

UF Hot Work Supervisor's Role

UF Hot Work Policy

UF Hot Work Permit

Welding, Cutting and Brazing Main OSHA Resource Page

Welding and Cutting - OSHA Overview Sheet

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Lockout Tagout (LOTO)

UF Lockout/Tagout Policy   Applies to all work performed by UF staff and students

OSHA LOTO eTools   Good Interactive Training Reference

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

UF Policy  UF Personal Protective Equipment Policy  Applies to all work performed by UF staff and students

Glove Selection Charts:      Glove Selection Info from Best Gloves

Scaffolds

A scaffold is defined as an elevated, temporary work platform. There are three basic types of scaffolds:

  • Supported scaffolds, which consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, outriggers, etc.
  • Suspended scaffolds, which are one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid, overhead support.
  • Other scaffolds, principally manlifts, personnel hoists, etc., which are sometimes thought of as vehicles or machinery, but can be regarded as another type of supported scaffold.

Common Hazards Associated With All Scaffolds

  • Falls from elevation, due to lack of fall protection;
  • Collapse of the scaffold, caused by instability or overloading;
  • Being struck by falling tools, work materials, or debris; and
  • Electrocution, principally due to proximity of the scaffold to overhead power lines.

OSHA Scaffolding eTools is a useful tool to understand scaffolding systems and requirements.

A Basic Look At Scaffolds For Compliance Officers - An 18 minute video which looks at some of the most commonly used types of scaffolds, associated hazards, and erection procedures. (February 2000)

Traffic Control - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2000 Edition serves as the standard for work on UF roads

Trenching and Excavations

OSHA Technical Manual - Hazard Recognition in Trenching and Shoring

UF Trenching and Excavation Policy Applies to all work performed by UF staff and students

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