A Massachusetts OSHA On-Site Consultation Program safety consultant was driving by a construction site and observed numerous safety hazards, unsafe work practices, and employees in harm's way. Upon observance, the safety consultant stopped at the construction site, located the owner of the General Contractor (GC) and informed him why he stopped.  After a discussion, the GC invited the consultant to look at the jobsite.

The consultant was taken around the construction site and noted numerous safety hazards, such as deficient housekeeping, fall hazards, and unprotected trenches. The consultant immediately gathered all the subcontractors and reviewed the observed hazards with them. The GC then immediately stopped all work activities and implemented a complete "stand down," where all subcontractors were required to tidy up their work areas, remove debris, and improve their material storage practices. The site was shut down for the following three days, during which each contractor was required to correct all their safety hazards identified and provide their employees with safety training based on the hazards identified. The GC also required the roofing subcontractor to submit a roofing work plan before restarting any roofing work.  Each subcontractor was also asked to sign up for a comprehensive safety and health evaluation with the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program.

The safety consultant returned to the construction site two additional times after the site shut down to monitor the site conditions. During these visits, there were noticeable improvements in working conditions.  The roofing subcontractor requested the safety consultant review the roofing work plan, fall prevention plan, and to conduct informal safety training with all the roofer's employees on fall hazard awareness and required use of the personal fall arrest system (PFAS) equipment.

There were 24 people removed from hazards because of the consultant's interventions.

The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards and how to fix them, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, train and educate workers, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs. On-Site Consultation services are separate from OSHA enforcement efforts. To locate the OSHA On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.