MOSH
CONSTRUCTION
CHECKLIST FOR
SELF-INSPECTION
To Employers & Workers:
The rate of injury for workers in the construction industry is
approximately 60 percent higher than the overall average
for all workers. Recognition of hazards and their elimination
is essential to prevention of job-related injuries.
Listed on the following pages are are series of questions
that persons working in construction should answer during
a self inspection. The checklist has been designed to
increase the knowledge and awareness of employees and
employers.
A general checklist for self-inspection for all industries
is available and includes safety and health question on
machines and equipment, electrical wiring, re protection,
environment and housekeeping, etc.
For assistance or advice, On-Site Consultation Services
are available to employers. Please call (410) 527-4472
for this free service.
Concrete
1. Is formwork and shoring adequate to support all
intended loads during concrete placement?..................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
Cranes
1. Are cranes and derricks restricted from operating
within 20 feet of any electrical power line?...................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are protruding rebars covered or bent over where work
must be performed overhead?......................................
3. Do employees wear gloves and eye protection during
stripping operations?.....................................................
5. Are clear pathways maintained through stripping
areas?...........................................................................
4. Are nails removed or bent over stripped forms?...........
This publication is not intended to be legal interpre-
tation of the provisions of “MOSH” Law or standards
or to place any additional requirements on employ-
ers or employees.
2. Are rated capacities, operating speed, and instructions
posted and visible to the operator?...............................
3. Does the operator understand and use the load chart?
4. Is the operator able to determine the angle and length
of the crane boom at all times?.....................................
5. Is the crane machinery and other rigging equipment
inspected daily prior to use to make sure that it is in
good condition?.............................................................
6. Are accessible areas within the swing radius
barricaded?...................................................................
7. Are tag lines being used to prevent dangerous swing
or spin of materials when raised or lowered by crane or
derrick?.........................................................................
8. Is a re extinguisher of at least 5BC rating provided on
the crane?.....................................................................
9. Are illustrations of hand signals to crane and derrick
operators posted on the job site?..................................
10. Does the rigger/signalman use correct signals for the
crane operator to follow?...............................................
11. Are crane outriggers used as required?........................
12. Do crane platforms and walkways have anti-skid
surfaces?.......................................................................
13. Is broken, worn, or damaged wire rope removed from
service?.........................................................................
14. Are exhuast pipes guarded or insulated where
employees might contact them?....................................
15. Are guardrails, hand holds, and steps provided for safe
and easy access to all areas of the crane?...................
16. Are trolley and two block limits on hammerhead tower
cranes working?............................................................
17. Have tower bolts been property torqued?.....................
18. Have overload limits been tested and correctly set?.....
19. Do personnel platforms suspended from crane hooks
conform to OSHA/MOSH requirements?.........................
20. Does the crane operation comply with manufacturer’s
specications?...............................................................
2
Construction Checklist
Flagpersons
1. Are agpersons provided with and made to wear
high visibility garments while working in vehicular
trafc?...........................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are the warning garments of reectorized material?.....
3. Are agpersons knowledgeable of standard ag
signals to control trafc effectively?...............................
JOB SAFETY
AND
HEALTH
IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
Up to 50% of the funding for this program
has been provided by federal funds.
ON-SITE-CONSULTATION SERVICES
On-Site Consultation is a free program to assist smaller businesses in identifying and correcting potential or
current safety or health hazards, and in instituting safety and health programs.
At the employer’s request, a consultant will meet with you and explain how the service works, as well as what is
involved in a survey of your facility.
The consultant will answer questions regarding occupational safety and health.
On-Site Consultation Service is provided at no cost to employers through federal and state funds. Employers
can request the free service or more information by contacting: Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland
Occupational Safety and Health, Consultation Services, 10946 Golden West Drive, Suite 160, Hunt Valley, MD
21031, or by calling (410) 527-4472.
Ladders
1. Are employees made aware that metal ladders are
not to be used where they may contact electrical
conductors or equipment?.............................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are ladders with broken or missing rungs or split side
rails tagged and taken out of service?...........................
3. Are metal ladders inspected for damage or signs of
corrosion?.....................................................................
4. Are portable wood ladders and metal ladders adequate
for their purpose, in good condition, and provided with
secure footing?...............................................................
5. Are areas around the top and bottom of the ladder kept
clear?.............................................................................
6. Are portable ladders used at such a pitch that horizontal
distance from the top bearing to the foot of the ladder is
about 1/4 of the working length of the ladder?..............
7. Are ladders prohibited from being used in a hoizontal
position as platforms, runways, or scaffolds?................
8. Are portable ladders tied, blocked, or otherwise
secured against movement?.........................................
9. If simultaneous two-way trafc is expected, is a double
cleat ladder installed?....................................................
10. Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced?..................
11. Are the side rails of the ladder extending at least 36
inches above the landing?.............................................
12. Did a competent person provide ladder safety training
to all employees?...........................................................
13. Are stairways or ladders provided at all break in
elevation 19 inches or higher to provide safe access
for employees?..............................................................
14. Are stairways in good condition and are stair rails
provided for stairways having four or more risers?.......
3
Construction Checklist
Lasers
1. Are only trained and qualied employees assigned to
operate laser equipment?..............................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Do laser operators carry proof of qualication?.............
3. Are employees who may be potentially exposed
provided with anti-laser eye protection?........................
4. Are placards warning of lasers posted in the laser use
area?.............................................................................
5. When the laser is not in use are beam shutters or caps
used or is the unit turned off?........................................
6. Is it a strict requirement that the laser beam shall never
be directed at employees?............................................
Lift Trucks
1. Before being placed into service are powered industrial
trucks examined for any conditions that may adversely
affect the safety of the vehicle?.....................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are defective powered industrial trucks immediately
repaired or removed from service?................................
3. Are the high lift rider trucks equipped with an overhead
guard to protect the operator?.......................................
4. Is a vertical load backrest provided to prevent raised
loads from falling rearward?..........................................
5. Are powered industrial trucks provided with an audible
warning device to alert others in the area of their
presence?.....................................................................
6. Are only trained and qualied personnel permitted to
operate powered industrial trucks?...............................
7. Are the rated load capacities of the powered industrial
trucks clearly marked and not exceeded?.....................
8. Are raised loads kept as close to the ground as possible
to prevent tipping while traveling?.................................
9. Are trucks driven with the load facing upgrade, when
ascending or descending grades in excess of 10
percent?........................................................................
10. Are the load engaging means fully lowered, controls
neutralized, power shut off, and brakes set on
unattended powered industrial trucks?..........................
11. Are unauthorized riders prohibited from riding on lift
trucks?............................................................................
12. Are seat belts worn by operators?.................................
Material Hoists
1. Are workers prohibited from riding the hoist?................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Is overhead protection provided over the cage or
platform and the operator’s position?............................
3. Is a load rating plate attached to the hoist?...................
4. Has wire rope been inspected for harmful defects?......
5. Are there at least three full wraps on the winding drum
when the platform is at the lowest point of travel?.........
6. Is there at least three feet of clearance between the
cathead sheave and the top of the cage when it is at
the uppermost terminal on the landing?........................
7. Are sheave bearings well lubricated?.............................
8. Are brakes capable of stopping and holding 125
percent of the rated load?.............................................
9. Does the operator remain at the controls while the load
is suspended or the master clutch is engaged?............
10. Are gears on the hoisting machine well guarded?........
11. Are entrances to hoistway guarded or barricaded?......
4
Construction Checklist
Protection from Falls
The largest percentage of fatalities that occur each year
are caused by falls.
Guardrail Systems,
Canopies and Covers
1. On walking working surfaces 6 feet or more in height,
are guardrail systems used to prevent falls from
unprotected sides, edges, holes, remote excavations,
and wall openings?........................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are the top edge heights of guardrail system members
42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking
working surface?...........................................................
3. Are wire rope guardrail systems more than 1/4 of
an inch in diameter or greater and agged at 6 foot
intervals?.......................................................................
4. Are canopies, screens, or toeboards installed to
prevent falling objects?..................................................
5. Are labeled covers secured over holes?........................
Personal Fall Arrest System
(PFAS)
1. Is the PFAS used to prevent falls from heights above 6
feet?..............................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Was the PFAS designed and installed by a qualied
person to maintain a safety factor of two?.....................
3. Will the PFAS limit the maximum arresting forces
imposed on an employee wearing a body harness to
1,800 pounds?...............................................................
4. Is the PFAS rigged in such a manner that an employee
can neither free fall more than 6 feet nor contact any
lower level?...................................................................
Safety Net Systems
1. Are safety nets installed as close as practicable but no
more than 30 feet below the walking working surface?..
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are safety nets extended beyond the edges of the
walking working surfaces 8 to 13 feet depending on the
potential fall distance?...................................................
3. Is the potential fall area from the walking working
surfaces on bridges to the nets unobstructed?.............
4. Is a certication record available stating that a
competent person has inspected untested nets?..........
Scaffolding
1. Is the footing of the scaffold sound, rigid, and capable
of carrying 4 times the maximum intended load?..........
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Is the scaffold erected under the supervision of
someone competent in scaffold erection?.....................
3. Are guardrails provided on scaffolds more than 10 feet
above the ground?.........................................................
4. Are heavy loads placed over or near the bearers and
not in the center of the plank?.......................................
5. Is planking of sufcient stress grade or scaffold grade
timber?..........................................................................
6. Is planking of platforms overlapped not less than
6 inches or more than 12 inches or secured from
movement?...................................................................
7. Where persons work under scaffold, is a 1/2 inch mesh
screen provided between toeboard and guardrail?.......
8. Are poles, legs, or uprights of scaffolds plumb and
securely braced to prevent swaying and displacement?
10. Are guardrails and toeboards installed on all open
sides and ends of scaffold platforms?............................
9. Are defective parts on scaffolds immediately replaced
or repaired?...................................................................
11. Are scaffolds equipped with toeboards wherever
there is a possibility that falling material could cause a
hazard?.........................................................................
12. Are toeboards at least four inches in height?................
13. When employees are working on suspended scaffolds,
are life lines rmly anchored to an overhead structure
and not to the scaffold?.................................................
14. Are employees wearing body harnesses attached to
life lines?.......................................................................
5
Construction Checklist
Tools
Hand and Power Tools
Accidents with hand tools comprise ve percent to ten
percent of compensable injuries. Many of these injuries
could be avoided with the proper care, maintenance, and
use of hand tools.
1. Are hand tools and other equipment regularly inspected
for safe condition?.........................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are tool handles free of splits and cracks?....................
3. Are handles wedged tightly in the heads of all tools?...
4. Are impact tools free of mushroomed heads?...............
5. Are the heads of chisels or punches ground periodically
to prevent mushrooming?..............................................
6. Are cutting edges kept sharp so the tool will move
smoothly without binding or skipping?...........................
7. Is sharpening, redressing, or reparing tools done
properly, using tools suited to each purpose?...............
8. When compressed air is used for cleaning purposes is
nozzle pressure safely reduced to less than 30 psi?.....
9. Are power saws and similar equipment provided with
safety guards?...............................................................
10. Are tools used with the correct shield, guard, or
attachments recommended by the manufacturer?........
11. Are abrasive wheel grinders provided with safety
guards which cover the spindle ends, nut, and ange
projections?...................................................................
Are work rests and tongue guards properly set?...........
12. Are portable circular saws equipped with guards above
and below the base or shoe?........................................
13. Are saw guards checked to assure they are not wedged
up thereby leaving an unguarded lower portion of the
blade?.............................................................................
Are springs checked for wear?......................................
14. Are guards kept in place and in working order?............
15. Are rotating or moving parts of equipment guarded to
prevent contact by employees?.....................................
16. Do operators wear eye and face protection when
grinding?.......................................................................
17. Is the pneumatic hose line secured to the pneumatic
tool?..............................................................................
Are the tool bits secured by use of safety clips or
retainers to prevent accidental disconnecting?.............
18. Are appropriate ground-fault circuit interrupters
provided at the job site?.................................................
19. Is an assured equipment grounding conductor program
established and implemented at the job site?...............
Tools (Continued)
20. Are electric powered tools double-insulated or properly
grounded?.....................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
21. Is eye and face protection used when driving hardened
or tempered studs or nails?...........................................
22. Are tools stored in a dry, secure location where they
won’t be tampered with?...............................................
Powder Actuated Tools
1. Do all users of powder actuated tools possess an
“Operator’s Card” to demonstrate that they have been
trained?.........................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are tools left unloaded until they are ready for
immediate use?.............................................................
3. Are tools inspected each day for defects or obstructions
prior to use?..................................................................
4. Are the following types of personal protective
equipment used by operators and others in areas of
tool use?
a. Hard hats?.............................................................
b. Safety goggles?.....................................................
c. Safety Shoes?.......................................................
d. Ear protection when making fastenings in conned
areas such as small rooms, tanks, vaults, or ship
compartments?.....................................................
Trenches & Excavations
1. Has the utility company been notied of intended
digging?.........................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are daily inspections made of the excavation to
determine the possibility of a cave-in and are necessary
steps taken to protect employees?...............................
3. Are shoring and sloping systems used to support the
walls and faces of the excavations sufcient to ensure
against cave-ins?..........................................................
4. Is there a ladder in the excavation?...............................
6
Construction Checklist
Protecting Workers’ Health
Although many safety hazards are apparent upon a simple examination
of equipment and procedures, occupational health hazards require a more
thorough evaluation. Identication and recognition of the hazard, evaulation of
the potential problem, and the workplace control are key elements in protecting
worker’s health.
RECOGNITION - Read the labels from all materials in the workplace
for material, composition, and precautions. Request a “material safety data
sheet” for each material from a distributor or from the manufacturer. Listed
will be corresponding OSHA/MOSH permissible exposure limits (PELs)
or “threshold limit values” (TLVs) and information on personal protective
equipment such as respirators, gloves, aprons, safety glasses, emergency
spills, labeling criteria, and emergency information.
EVALUATION - Study the work process in which the material is used
to determine if a hazard has been created. Evaluate the way workers handle
the material. Does the worker breathe this substance or does the substance
go through his or her skin? Are workers exposed to enough of this substance
to create a problem?
WORKPLACE CONTROL - In order to prevent health problems
before they start, certain measures can be taken to control exposure. Are
ventilation or process controls used when feasible? If the material is extremely
toxic, can a less toxic substance be substituted? Are hazardous substances
labeled and are workers knowledgable of the hazard? Are appropriate
personal protective devices provided when engineering and/or administrative
controls are not adequate or feasible? Are medical exams provided when
workers are exposed to certain substances?
Access to Information About
Hazardous & Toxic Substances
1. Have you evaluated your work site for compliance with
this Law?.......................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Has a chemical information list been compiled?............
3. Have material safety data sheets (MSDS) been
obtained or developed for all substances on the
chemical information list?..............................................
4. Has the list been sent to the Maryland Department of
the Environment?..........................................................
5. Are MSDS readily accessible to employees?................
6. When new substances are brought on-site are
additional MSDS ordered?............................................
Is the chemical information list accessible to
employees?...................................................................
Are copies provided wthin 5 days of a request?............
7. Has each employer provided for the exchange of
information regarding hazardous chemicals used or
stored on-site with all other employers at that site?......
8. Have employees been informed of their rights under
this Law and procedures for obtaining information on
hazardous substances?................................................
9. Have employees been trained about the hazards of
the substances, appropriate work practices, control
programs, protective measures, and emergency
procedures?..................................................................
Asbestos
1. Are materials containing more than 1% asbestos
(ACM) handled in accordance with the construction
asbestos standard?.......................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
Are thermal system insulation and surfacing material
found in building constructed before 1980 treated as
presumed asbestos containing materials (PACM),
unless demonstrated to be otherwise using the protocol
of materials in the construction asbestos standard?.....
2. Are class II and III asbestos work operations being
conducted in regulated areas?......................................
a. Are they properly enclosed and posted?...............
b. Is access limited to authorized personnel?...........
c. Are appropriate respirators worn by entrants?......
d. Is eating, drinking, smoking, and gum chewing
prohibited?............................................................
e. Is there an adjacent clean room and
decontamination area?..........................................
f. Are operations supervised by a competent
person?.................................................................
3. Do work practices and methods of control conform to
the construction asbestos standard?.............................
4. Is an exposure assessment conducted by the
competent person immediately before or at the
initiation of operations to determine devices provided
when engineering and/or administrative expected
exposures?....................................................................
5. Is air monitoring conducted in the manner and at
the frequency specied in the construction asbestos
standard?......................................................................
6. Do work practices and methods of control keep
employee exposures below and 8-hour TWA of 0.1
f/cc?...............................................................................
In addition, are all 30-minute exposures maintained
below 1 f/cc?..................................................................
7. Are respirators and protective clothing properly
selected and used?.......................................................
8. Are respirators and containers of asbestos waste
properly labeled?...........................................................
Are waste containers impermeable and sealed prior to
disposal?.......................................................................
9. Has an employee information and training program
been implemented?.......................................................
10. Have other on-site employers been informed of the
nature of the asbestos-related activity and of measures
to take to prevent exposure?.........................................
11. If required, has an employee medical surveillance
program been implemented?.........................................
12. Are all activities involving asbestos being conducted
in compliance with regulations established by the
Department of the Environment?..................................
7
Construction Checklist
Carbon Monoxide
1. Are salamanders and re pots vented to the outside
atmosphere?.................................................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are exhaust manifolds, pipes, and mufers in good
repair to eliminate harmful leakage of the engine
exhaust?........................................................................
3. Is equipment maintained in good repair to reduce the
amount of unburned hydrocarbons which result in the
manufacture of carbon monoxide?................................
4. Are pipings to the outdoors used when engines must
be run for repair or adjustments while they are in
enclosed areas?............................................................
5. Are carbon monoxide levels checked regularly?...........
6. Is employee exposure well below the allowable 50
parts per million?...........................................................
7. Is natural or mechanical ventilation provided to remove
harmful carbon monoxide gases?.................................
Conned Spaces
1. Is the internal atmosphere tested to assure an oxygen
level of not less than 19.5%?.........................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. If the conned space is a manhole, is it impossible for
vehicular exhaust or carbon monoxide to creep into the
space?...........................................................................
3. Has the space been examined for decaying vegetation
and animal matter which may produce methane?........
4. Has the space been surveyed for possible industrial
waste which may contribute to the accumulation of a
toxic or combustible atmosphere?..................................
5. When there is inadequate natural air movement and
adequate forced ventilation is not provided, is the
internal atmosphere tested for combustible gas and air
contaminants?...............................................................
Has an adequate oxygen concentration been
assured prior to testing for combustible gas and air
contaminants?...............................................................
6. Is the space ventilated to a safe level before employees
enter?............................................................................
7. If ventilation does not reduce or remove the hazardous
substance, do employees wear an appropriate
approved respirator to enter the space?.......................
8. Are employees trained in the use of respirators?..........
9. Are electrical services other than lights made
inoperable by a padlock and tagging?...........................
10. Are employees inside and outside the conned space
trained in rescue and CPR procedures?.......................
Conned Spaces (Continued)
YES NEEDS
ACTION
11. Is rescue equipment readily available for immedate
use?..............................................................................
12. Is there constant communication with employees in the
immediate vicinity who are not in the conned space?..
13. Is there a written procedure covering entry under
emergency conditions?..................................................
5. If you have a subcontractor:
a. have you orally notied to Commissioner of Labor
and Industry of the start of work in a conned
space?....................................................................
b. have you submitted written notication to the
Commissioner within 24 hours of your oral
notication?...........................................................
Dust, Gases, Vapors, Fumes, &
Mists
1. Are material safety data sheets maintained on each
product in use at the construction site?.........................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are agents identied which may cause harm by
inhalation, ingestion, skin absorbtion, or contact?.........
3. Can a less harmful method or product be used?..........
4. Is adequate ventilation provided?..................................
5. Is protective equipment used to protect against
over-exposure?..............................................................
6. Are employees made knowledgeable of the hazards
when working with harmful agents?..............................
8
Construction Checklist
Lead in Construction
1. Has a determination been made as to the possiblity
of airborne lead exposure on the job? (Signicant
airborne lead exposures can occure when welding,
cutting, grinding, and abrasive blasting are performed
during structural steel demolition and renovation.).......
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. If it has been determined that employees may have
been exposed to airborne lead, have you:
a. designated a competent person?.........................
b. become familiar with the Lead Exposure in
Construction Standard (as modied by Maryland)?
c. conducted representative personal monitoring to
assess employee exposures?...............................
d. arranged for appropriate protection for employees
during the assessment period?.............................
e. trained employees?...............................................
f. provided hand washing facilities?.........................
g. determined if your activity is also covered by
Maryland Department of the Environment
Regulations?.........................................................
3. If exposures exceed the action level:
a. has a medical surveillance program been
established?..........................................................
b. have provisions been made for the required
periodic air monitoring?.........................................
c. has additional training been provided?..................
4. If exposures exceed the permissible exposure level,
have the following additional requirements been met?
a. Use of engineering and work practice controls to
reduce exposures..................................................
b. Use of adequate personal protective equipment,
including respiratory protection.............................
c. Prohibition of food and beverage consumption
and smoking in exposed areas.............................
d. Establishment of a food and beverage
consumption area..................................................
e. Establishment of a change area with storage
facilities.................................................................
f. Provision of showering facilities............................
g. Posting of warning signs at exposure area...........
Lighting
1. Are 5 foot-candles of illumination provided throughout
the general construction area?......................................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are the workshops and storerooms provided with 10
foot-candles of illuminations?........................................
3. Is the rst aid station illuminated to 30 foot-candles?...
4. Are light guards provided where there is a possibility of
breakage?.....................................................................
Lighting (Continued)
YES NEEDS
ACTION
5. Are the light xtures raised above the worker’s heads?
6. Are wire guards grounded to the electrical grounding
system?.........................................................................
7. Are stairways, oor opening areas, and wall opening
areas well illuminated?..................................................
Noise
1. Are hearing protectors and a hearing conservation
program provided for noise levels above 90 decibels?
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Have administrative or engineering controls been
applied to eliminate or reduce the excessive noise?.....
3. If administrative or engineering controls are not
feasible, is personal hearing protection provided to
reduce sound levels?.....................................................
4. Is the use of hearing protection equipment enforced?..
5. Is hearing protection equipment correctly tted and
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition?..............
6. Is an audiometric testing program in effect?.................
7. Are employees instructed in the effects of noise on
hearing, the signs of over-exposure to noise, and
proper use of hearing protectors?.................................
Silica
1. Is adequate exhaust provided to remove silica dust
particles from the work area or operation?....................
YES NEEDS
ACTION
2. Are respirators provided to employees who may be
over-exposed to silica dust particles?...........................
3. Can certain grinding, sandblasting, or mixing operations
be performed by wet method to reduce the airborne
silica hazard?................................................................
Division of Labor and Industry
MARYLAND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
10946 Golden West Drive, Suite 160
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
(410) 527-4499
General Information
Phone: (410) 527-4499
Fax: (410) 527-4481
Consultation Services
Phone: (410) 527-4472
Fax: (410) 527-5678
Training and Education
Phone: (410) 527-2091
Fax: (410) 527-4490
