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618 Managing Safety and Health - Construction
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Employer Responsibilities

The controlling employer/contractor assumes all obligations under the standards, regardless of whether he subcontracts any of the work.

The employer has the ultimate responsibility for all worksite safety.

If a subcontractor agrees to perform any part of the contract, he assumes responsibility for complying with the standards regarding that part.

Regarding subcontracted work, the controlling contractor and any subcontractors are deemed to have joint responsibility.

Construction companies should designate a person to coordinate, implement, and administer the construction safety management system (CSMS).

Employer responsibilities include:

  1. understand potential job hazards and how to eliminate them
  2. conduct or assist with Job Safety Analysis
  3. assure compliance with OSHA construction safety and health standard requirements
  4. conduct regular job site safety and health inspections
  5. establish safety and health procedures
  6. coordinate regular safety and health training
  7. conduct or assist with Tailgate or Tool Box Talks
  8. maintain documentation of training, inspections, injuries and illnesses, and other safety records
  9. take part in accident investigations and implementation of corrective actions
  10. involve employees in the implementating the CSMS
  11. create statistical reports that compare severity and frequency rates against prior records

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-6. With respect to subcontracted work on a construction site, the controlling contractor and subcontractors _____.