New OSHA Web Site

In the bustle of last summer's busy construction season, an important new resource for our industry may have gone largely unnoticed by builders working 24/7 to meet the extraordinary demand for new homes: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new Residential Construction Safety and Health Web site.

The site was created with guidance and assistance from NAHB as part of the OSHA-NAHB Alliance. Formed in May 2003 to focus on safety and health in the residential construction industry with specific emphasis on the Spanish-speaking workforce. As such, the site provides building industry professionals with information about:

• electrical safety.
• fall protection.
• fire safety.
• hand and power tool safety.
• scaffolding.
• personal protective equipment;
• implementing safety programs.
• other safety-related concerns.

The Web site also features detailed information and links to OSHA enforcement and training information, including:

• interpretation/compliance letters.
• OSHA inspections.
• OSHA Training Institute (OTI) and NAHB training information.
• OSHA compliance information and safety publications available online.

NAHB participated in developing the Web site by suggesting and identifying content and issues presented on the site. These include all existing electronic safety products related to the home building industry; OSHA interpretations and compliance letters addressing residential construction; and applicable regulations found in the Selected Construction Regulations.

Working with OSHA provided NAHB with the opportunity to leverage association resources to maximize worker protections. The result is an excellent resource for your professional toolbox. I urge you to check it out at www.osha.gov/SLTC/residential/index.html