Provide a detailed safety audit inspection form for OSHA Construction job site audits. Include regulatory language and OSHA CFR reference and hazard ranking matrix.
Generated on: August 6, 2025
Construction Site Safety Audit Checklist
This comprehensive checklist is designed to assist in conducting thorough safety audits of construction sites. It incorporates hazard assessment, relevant CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) references, and regulatory compliance guidelines to ensure a safe working environment. Regular inspections and adherence to these guidelines are crucial for preventing accidents, injuries, and potential regulatory violations.
General Safety
- Housekeeping: Maintaining clear and organized work areas to prevent trips, falls, and other hazards.
- Walkways and Roadways: Ensuring aisles, ramps, and vehicle ways are free from obstructions and in good repair.
- Storage Facilities: Verifying that racks, bins, shelves, and cabinets are stable and properly used.
- Hygiene and First Aid Facilities: Confirming the availability and maintenance of drinking fountains, washrooms, safety showers, eyewash fountains, and first aid supplies.
- Emergency Procedures: Reviewing and practicing emergency evacuation plans, fire drills, and first aid procedures.
Work Environment
- Dust, Gases, Fumes, Vapors, Sprays: Assessing air quality and ensuring adequate ventilation.
- Lighting: Ensuring sufficient illumination in all work areas.
- Noise: Monitoring noise levels and providing hearing protection where necessary.
- Ventilation: Checking the effectiveness of ventilation systems.
- Indoor Air Quality: Monitoring and maintaining acceptable air quality levels.
Hazardous Materials
- Flammable and Combustible Materials: Ensuring proper storage and handling of flammable and combustible materials.
- Explosive Materials: Implementing strict controls for the storage, handling, and use of explosive materials.
- Oxidizing Agents: Storing oxidizing agents separately from flammable and combustible materials.
- Gases Under Pressure: Securing compressed gas cylinders and inspecting them regularly.
- Corrosive Materials: Providing appropriate PPE and spill control measures for corrosive materials.
- Combustible Dusts: Implementing dust control measures to prevent explosions.
- Asphyxiants: Ensuring adequate ventilation and monitoring for oxygen deficiency.
- Health Hazards: Identifying and controlling exposure to substances that pose health hazards, including irritation, sensitization, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and biohazardous infectious materials.
- Environmental Hazards: Managing and disposing of hazardous waste in accordance with environmental regulations.
[1] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Hard Hats: Ensuring all workers wear hard hats in designated areas.
- Safety Glasses: Providing and enforcing the use of safety glasses or face shields.
- Respirators: Implementing a respiratory protection program, including fit testing and training.
- Safety Footwear: Requiring appropriate safety footwear for foot protection.
- Gloves: Providing gloves suitable for the tasks being performed.
- Hearing Protection: Making hearing protection available and enforcing its use in high-noise areas.
- Fall Protection: Ensuring proper use of fall protection equipment when working at heights.
[1] Electrical Safety
- Switches, Cables, Outlets, Connectors: Inspecting for damage and proper functioning.
- Grounding: Verifying proper grounding of electrical equipment.
- Connections: Ensuring secure and insulated connections.
- Breakers: Checking the condition and functionality of circuit breakers.
- Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Implementing and enforcing lockout/tagout procedures during maintenance and repair work.
[1] Fire Protection
- Fire Extinguishers: Ensuring availability, proper type, and regular inspection of fire extinguishers.
- Fire Hoses and Hydrants: Verifying accessibility and functionality of fire hoses and hydrants.
- Sprinkler Systems: Inspecting and maintaining sprinkler systems.
- Alarm Systems: Testing and maintaining fire alarm systems.
- Access to Equipment: Ensuring clear access to fire protection equipment.
[1] Tools and Equipment
- Hand Tools: Inspecting hand tools for damage and proper maintenance.
- Power Tools: Ensuring power tools are properly guarded and used safely.
- Explosive Actuated Tools: Implementing strict controls for the use of explosive actuated tools.
- Ladders, Scaffolds, Platforms: Inspecting ladders, scaffolds, and platforms for structural integrity and safe use.
- Conveyors, Cranes, Hoists: Ensuring proper functioning and regular inspection of materials handling equipment.
- Protective Guards: Checking gear covers, pulleys, belt screens, and workstation guards.
- Safety Devices: Inspecting valves, emergency switches, cutoffs, warning systems, and limit switches.
[1] [1] [1] [1] [1] Excavation and Trenching Safety
- Trench Shoring: Ensuring proper shoring or sloping of trench walls.
- Competent Person: Designating a competent person to inspect excavations daily.
- Underground Utilities: Identifying and protecting underground utilities before digging.
- Egress: Providing safe means of egress from trenches.
- Water Accumulation: Preventing water accumulation in trenches.
Fall Protection
- Guardrails: Ensuring guardrails are in place around elevated work areas.
- Safety Nets: Providing safety nets where guardrails are not feasible.
- Personal Fall Arrest Systems: Inspecting and properly using personal fall arrest systems (harnesses, lanyards, lifelines).
- Fall Protection Training: Providing comprehensive fall protection training to all workers at risk of falls.
Hazard Assessment Matrix
A hazard assessment matrix is a tool used to evaluate and prioritize risks associated with identified hazards. It typically involves assessing the severity of potential consequences and the likelihood of occurrence.
Risk Matrix Example:
| Low Severity | Medium Severity | High Severity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Probability | Very Low Risk | Low Risk | Medium Risk |
| Medium Probability | Low Risk | High Risk | High Risk |
| High Probability | Medium Risk | High Risk | Immediately Dangerous |
Severity Ratings:
- High Severity: Fatal disease or injury, permanent disability, irreversible health effects, major fracture, poisoning, significant loss of blood, or serious head injury.
- Medium Severity: Sprain, strain, localized burn, dermatitis, asthma, injury requiring limited days off work.
- Low Severity: An injury that requires first aid only; short-term pain, irritation, or dizziness.
Probability Ratings:
- High Probability: Likely to be experienced once a year or more by an individual.
- Medium Probability: May be experienced once every five years by an individual.
- Low Probability: May occur once during a working lifetime.
[5] Regulatory Compliance (CFR References)
The following are examples of relevant CFR references for construction site safety. Specific requirements may vary based on the nature of the construction work.
- 29 CFR 1926 - Safety and Health Regulations for Construction: This part covers safety and health regulations for construction work.
- 29 CFR 1926.20 - General safety and health provisions.
- 29 CFR 1926.21 - Safety training and education.
- 29 CFR 1926.32 - Definitions.
- 29 CFR 1926.451 - Scaffolding.
- 29 CFR 1926.501 - Fall Protection.
- 29 CFR 1926.651 - Specific excavation requirements.
- 29 CFR 1926.701 - Formwork and concrete placement.
- 29 CFR 1926.1053 - Ladders.
Inspection Checklist for Outdoor Areas
| Area | Item | Condition | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around the Building | Address sign visible from the street | ||
| Garbage containers emptied regularly | |||
| Waste stored properly | |||
| Property clear of litter and hazardous materials | |||
| Smoking areas clean with receptacles | |||
| Eavestroughs and downspouts in good repair | |||
| Parking Lot | Appropriate signs posted | ||
| Parking areas free of trip hazards | |||
| Adequate lighting at night | |||
| Parking lot free of debris | |||
| Parking lot free of ice and snow in winter | |||
| Stairs | Stairs, stairwells, and landings clear and unobstructed | ||
| Stairs clear of ice and snow in winter | |||
| Stairways adequately lit | |||
| Stairs, treads, handrails, and guards secure | |||
| Treads and landings have non-skid surfaces | |||
| Exits/Fire Safety | Emergency exits well marked and unblocked | ||
| Exits free from ice and snow in winter | |||
| Exits free from water inside doorways in winter | |||
| Roof area over exits free of falling ice and snow | |||
| Exit doors, landings, and steps well lit | |||
| Access ramp clear of ice and snow with good traction in winter | |||
| Building easily accessed by fire department | |||
| Fire department hose connections clear and accessible | |||
| Electrical service entrance clear of trees and branches |
[2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] Additional Resources
- Inspection Checklists - General Information
- Inspection Checklists - Sample Checklist for Manufacturing Facilities
- Inspection Checklists - Sample Checklist for Offices
- Inspection Checklist - Sample Checklist for Chemical or Product Inventory
- Inspection Checklist - Sample Checklist for Outdoor Areas
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