How is safety assessed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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According to Reddy Kancharla, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a crucial role in the construction of a building. OSHA assesses the safety of construction workers as well as everyone on site.

To create a safe environment, OSHA requires that workers undergo extensive training before they are allowed to visit the site. This ensures that all workers know safety procedures. Workers are not allowed on-site without this certification. In addition, an emergency action plan must be in place and followed at all times. During the construction of a building, if something should happen, such as an earthquake or other natural disaster, these procedures must take place immediately so that everyone can evacuate safely.

There are several reasons why OSHA inspects a project site, including:

1. accidents and injuries

2. catastrophes and disaster

3. complaints and referrals.

OSHA may conduct an inspection based on a complaint from a client, worker, or referral from another agency such as the EPA. According to OSHA policy guidelines, if they receive two or more worker-related injury or illness reports for the same company in one year, they must investigate.

Some examples of accidents that force an inspection include:

1. employees falling from scaffolding

2. workers being injured by electrical equipment

3. major injuries such as lost fingers or permanent disability.

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OSHA will also inspect the site if there has been a catastrophe that could put workers and clients in danger. Examples of catastrophes that could prompt an inspection include structural collapse, major chemical spills, and fires and explosions. If OSHA arrives to find any of these situations, they will shut down the site until it is deemed safe.

Furthermore, Reddy Kancharla notes that OSHA must determine whether or not the client has violated OSHA standards before deciding how to proceed. They can choose to either fine the client or send them a letter of non-compliance. If OSHA issues a citation, they can also propose penalties of up to $70,000. They can also require that corrective action be taken to have the violations eliminated.

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The high cost of overlooking quality assurance in construction

Any organization can’t afford to overlook quality assurance if it is determined to remain relevant and thriving in the industry it is in. This is especially true in the construction sector where finished projects are used by the public. A single misstep can prove costly and, in rare cases, even lethal.

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There are various ways to ensure quality in the construction process. Firstly, customer and building requirements, as well as local laws should be discussed in the initial phase of the project. This is to provide a measurable way of checking whether the construction is meeting the standards or not.

The quality of the materials should also be examined and scrutinized objectively, making sure that they pass safety requirements. Onsite workers also have to be trained in quality assurance to mitigate risk and determine potential areas of poor quality.

Some of the possible consequences of neglecting these quality measures are the following: 

• Additional costs: For contractors, repair or redoing of work can incur additional costs and usually delays the completion of the project. For clients, defects discovered later can cause repair or increased maintenance costs. 

•  Poor reputation: Construction companies bank on their reputation to gain new clients and retain old ones. Failure to meet customer standards can result in loss of business opportunities. 

•  Injury or death: Failing structures due to poor quality can be harmful to people and have expensive consequences and legal repercussions. 

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Reddy Kancharla is former engineer who has more than two decades of experience in civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. For more discussion on these topics, follow this Twitter page.