OSHA construction general safety and health study guide
Subpart C of the OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926.20 to 1926.35) sets the general duties that apply across construction work: accident prevention programs and inspections, safety training, first aid and fire protection, housekeeping, lighting, PPE, key definitions such as competent person, exits, and emergency action plans. Several of its sections only point to the subpart with the detailed rules. This guide sets out what the rule text states, with the exact words quoted and a link to each section.
Accident prevention
Section 107 of the Act makes it a condition of each contract that is entered into under legislation subject to Reorganization Plan Number 14 of 1950 (as defined in 1926.12) and is for construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, that no contractor or subcontractor for any part of the contract work require a laborer or mechanic employed on the contract to work in surroundings or under working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to their health or safety.
“Section 107 of the Act requires that it shall be a condition of each contract which is entered into under legislation subject to Reorganization Plan Number 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267), as defined in § 1926.12, and is for construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating, that no contractor or subcontractor for any part of the contract work shall require any laborer or mechanic employed in the performance of the contract to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his health or safety.”
The employer is responsible for starting and keeping up the programs needed to comply with Part 1926.
“It shall be the responsibility of the employer to initiate and maintain such programs as may be necessary to comply with this part.”
Those programs must provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials and equipment, made by competent persons the employer designates.
“Such programs shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.”
Using any machinery, tool, material or equipment that does not comply with an applicable Part 1926 requirement is prohibited. It must either be identified as unsafe by tagging or locking its controls so it cannot operate, or be physically removed from its place of operation.
“The use of any machinery, tool, material, or equipment which is not in compliance with any applicable requirement of this part is prohibited. Such machine, tool, material, or equipment shall either be identified as unsafe by tagging or locking the controls to render them inoperable or shall be physically removed from its place of operation.”
The employer may let only employees qualified by training or experience operate equipment and machinery.
“The employer shall permit only those employees qualified by training or experience to operate equipment and machinery.”
When a particular standard specifically applies to a condition, practice or operation, it prevails over any different general standard that might otherwise apply to it.
“If a particular standard is specifically applicable to a condition, practice, means, method, operation, or process, it shall prevail over any different general standard which might otherwise be applicable”
Standards in Part 1926 that require the employer to provide PPE (including respirators) because of hazards to employees impose a separate compliance duty for each covered employee. The employer must provide PPE to each employee required to use it, and each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation.
“Standards in this part requiring the employer to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators and other types of PPE, because of hazards to employees impose a separate compliance duty with respect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employer must provide PPE to each employee required to use the PPE, and each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation.”
Training
The employer must instruct each employee in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions and in the regulations that apply to that employee's work environment.
“The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.”
Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics and other harmful substances must be instructed in safe handling and use and made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene and personal protective measures required.
“Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other harmful substances shall be instructed regarding the safe handling and use, and be made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required.”
In job site areas where harmful plants or animals are present, employees who may be exposed must be instructed on the potential hazards, how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to use if injured.
“In job site areas where harmful plants or animals are present, employees who may be exposed shall be instructed regarding the potential hazards, and how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to be used in the event of injury.”
First aid and fire
The employer must make first aid services and provisions for medical care available for every employee covered by the regulations. The specific requirements for first aid, medical attention and emergency facilities are in Subpart D.
“First aid services and provisions for medical care shall be made available by the employer for every employee covered by these regulations. Regulations prescribing specific requirements for first aid, medical attention, and emergency facilities are contained in subpart D of this part.”
The employer is responsible for developing and maintaining an effective fire protection and prevention program at the job site throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration or demolition work.
“The employer shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of an effective fire protection and prevention program at the job site throughout all phases of the construction, repair, alteration, or demolition work.”
The employer must ensure the fire protection and suppression equipment required by Subpart F is available.
“The employer shall ensure the availability of the fire protection and suppression equipment required by subpart F of this part.”
Not covered here
The detailed first aid, medical attention and emergency facility rules (Subpart D) and the fire protection and suppression equipment rules (Subpart F): Subpart C only points to them. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Housekeeping, lighting and sanitation
During construction, alteration or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris, must be kept cleared from work areas, passageways and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures.
“During the course of construction, alteration, or repairs, form and scrap lumber with protruding nails, and all other debris, shall be kept cleared from work areas, passageways, and stairs, in and around buildings or other structures.”
Combustible scrap and debris must be removed at regular intervals during construction, and safe means must be provided to make that removal easier.
“Combustible scrap and debris shall be removed at regular intervals during the course of construction. Safe means shall be provided to facilitate such removal.”
Containers must be provided for collecting and separating waste, trash, oily and used rags and other refuse. Containers used for garbage and other oily, flammable or hazardous wastes (such as caustics, acids and harmful dusts) must be equipped with covers.
“Containers shall be provided for the collection and separation of waste, trash, oily and used rags, and other refuse. Containers used for garbage and other oily, flammable, or hazardous wastes, such as caustics, acids, harmful dusts, etc. shall be equipped with covers.”
Construction areas, aisles, stairs, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops and storage areas where work is in progress must be lighted with either natural or artificial illumination. The minimum illumination requirements for work areas are in Subpart D.
“Construction areas, aisles, stairs, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops, and storage areas where work is in progress shall be lighted with either natural or artificial illumination. The minimum illumination requirements for work areas are contained in subpart D of this part.”
Subpart C does not set the drinking water rules itself: it says the health and sanitation requirements for drinking water are in Subpart D.
“Health and sanitation requirements for drinking water are contained in subpart D of this part.”
Not covered here
The minimum illumination requirements for work areas and the health and sanitation requirements for drinking water: Subpart C only says they are in Subpart D. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
PPE and certifications
The employer is responsible for requiring employees to wear appropriate PPE in all operations where there is exposure to hazardous conditions, or where Part 1926 indicates the need for it to reduce hazards to employees.
“The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees.”
The rules on the use, selection and maintenance of personal protective and lifesaving equipment are in Subpart E.
“Regulations governing the use, selection, and maintenance of personal protective and lifesaving equipment are described under subpart E of this part.”
For pressure vessels the employer provides, current and valid certification by an insurance company or regulatory authority is acceptable evidence of safe installation, inspection and testing.
“Current and valid certification by an insurance company or regulatory authority shall be deemed as acceptable evidence of safe installation, inspection, and testing of pressure vessels provided by the employer.”
Boilers the employer provides are deemed to comply with Part 1926 when evidence of current and valid certification by an insurance company or regulatory authority, attesting to the safe installation, inspection and testing, is presented.
“Boilers provided by the employer shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this part when evidence of current and valid certification by an insurance company or regulatory authority attesting to the safe installation, inspection, and testing is presented.”
Not covered here
The detailed PPE rules (Subpart E) and the specific requirements for other types of pressure vessels and similar equipment (Subparts F and O): Subpart C only points to them. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Definitions
A competent person is one who can identify existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
“Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”
Qualified means having a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training and experience, and having successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project.
“Qualified means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”
An authorized person is a person the employer approves or assigns to perform a specific type of duty or duties, or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite.
“Authorized person means a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite.”
A designated person means the same as an authorized person.
“Designated person means “authorized person” as defined in paragraph (d) of this section.”
In the regulations of Part 1926, shall means mandatory.
“Shall means mandatory.”
In the regulations of Part 1926, should means recommended.
“Should means recommended.”
Means of egress
In every building or structure, exits must be arranged and maintained to give free and unobstructed egress from all parts of it at all times when it is occupied.
“In every building or structure exits shall be so arranged and maintained as to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure at all times when it is occupied.”
No lock or fastening that prevents free escape from the inside of a building may be installed, except in mental, penal or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in a fire or other emergency.
“No lock or fastening to prevent free escape from the inside of any building shall be installed except in mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel is continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire or other emergency.”
Exits must be marked by a readily visible sign. Access to exits must be marked by readily visible signs wherever the exit or the way to reach it is not immediately visible to the occupants.
“Exits shall be marked by a readily visible sign. Access to exits shall be marked by readily visible signs in all cases where the exit or way to reach it is not immediately visible to the occupants.”
Emergency action plans
Section 1926.35 applies to all emergency action plans required by a particular OSHA standard. The plan must be in writing (except for employers with 10 or fewer employees, below) and cover the designated actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies.
“This section applies to all emergency action plans required by a particular OSHA standard. The emergency action plan shall be in writing (except as provided in the last sentence of paragraph (e)(3) of this section) and shall cover those designated actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies.”
At a minimum, the plan must include: emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route assignments; procedures for employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate; and procedures to account for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed.
“The following elements, at a minimum, shall be included in the plan: (1) Emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route assignments; (2) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate; (3) Procedures to account for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed;”
The minimum elements also include: rescue and medical duties for the employees who are to perform them; the preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies; and names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan.
“Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them; (5) The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies; and (6) Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan.”
The employer must establish an employee alarm system that complies with 1926.159. If the alarm system is used to alert fire brigade members, or for other purposes, a distinctive signal must be used for each purpose.
“The employer shall establish an employee alarm system which complies with § 1926.159. (2) If the employee alarm system is used for alerting fire brigade members, or for other purposes, a distinctive signal for each purpose shall be used.”
Before putting the plan into effect, the employer must designate and train enough persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees.
“Before implementing the emergency action plan, the employer shall designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees.”
The employer must review the plan with each covered employee initially when the plan is developed, whenever the employee's responsibilities or designated actions under the plan change, and whenever the plan is changed.
“The employer shall review the plan with each employee covered by the plan at the following times: (i) Initially when the plan is developed, (ii) Whenever the employee's responsibilities or designated actions under the plan change, and (iii) Whenever the plan is changed.”
On initial assignment, the employer must review with each employee the parts of the plan the employee must know for protection in an emergency. The written plan must be kept at the workplace and made available for employee review. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally and need not maintain a written plan.
“The employer shall review with each employee upon initial assignment those parts of the plan which the employee must know to protect the employee in the event of an emergency. The written plan shall be kept at the workplace and made available for employee review. For those employers with 10 or fewer employees the plan may be communicated orally to employees and the employer need not maintain a written plan.”
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.20, General safety and health provisions (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.21, Safety training and education (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.23, First aid and medical attention (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.24, Fire protection and prevention (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.25, Housekeeping (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.26, Illumination (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.27, Sanitation (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.28, Personal protective equipment (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.29, Acceptable certifications (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.32, Definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.34, Means of egress (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.35, Employee emergency action plans (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
Other OSHA Construction study guides: Introduction to OSHA, Fall protection, Scaffolds, Stairways and ladders, Electrical safety, Excavations, Personal protective equipment, Health hazards, Hazard communication, Respirable crystalline silica, Welding and cutting