📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — Top Ten Construction Safety Standards To Live By — a Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety guide for Canadian oil & gas, construction, and industrial workers. Written and reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC, Calgary lead safety instructor.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: Fall Protection Calgary · Ground Disturbance · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
Safety Standard #1: Adhere to OSHA Rules
A lot accidents can occur at a construction site, which means executing and pressing safety rules should be the most important objective of all construction projects. For employers to accomplish this, they must adhere to the established regulations of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Safety Standard #2: Establish Site Safety Management
The utilization of site management and safe-site management can drastically improve safety awareness among the employees and will aid promoting a work site that is free of hazards and accidents, conducing to a productive and very efficient construction project.
Safety Standard #3: Protective Equipment is A Must
Safety equipment must be issued to employees by the employer to ensure the safety of human life. On the list of safety equipment are, but not limited to:
safety goggles
steel-toe boots
durable gloves
utility belt
coveralls
harness
proper face masks
Safety Standard #4: Have a Safe Place to Store Things
Break areas and rest areas are essential for the health of workers. Every work site should have a suitable place for workers to store food, beverages, and other items.
Safety Standard #5: Access to Clean Running Water
Per OSHA rules, employers are required to provide their worker with an area that has clean water for washing utensils, hands, and other objects. Moreover, the water must be suitable to drink without causing illness to those with access.
Safety Standard #6: Have a Place to Boil Water
There should be a space for workers to have access to that would allow them to boil water for sterilization purposes or food preparation. This aids in the cleanliness of the facility and promotes excellent sanitary practices.
Safety Standard #7: Must Have a Place to Eat Meals
In addition to having a place to store food and boil water, it is imperative that the employee allocate space for workers to sit and eat their meals. This space has to be out of harm’s way.
Safety Standard #8: Workers Need to Have Access to Restrooms
Employers must provide adequate access to restrooms with working toilets, or Port-A-Potty for waste management purposes. Restrooms must be well ventilated and have a door so workers can have privacy.
Safety Standard #9: Safety Precautions for Workers Above Ground
OSHA has established a set of rules for workers who operate at different heights. By installing equipment support systems, the employer will be providing safety measures to prevent any individual from falling to their death, in addition to lessening the severity of possible injuries.
Safety Standard #10: Guard Rails and Other Measures
Scaffold platform that incorporates a double guard rail must be used to prevent workers from falling from lethal heights. Safety nets in the construction site should be used to reducing the distance and impact of a fall, and drastically reducing injuries, casualties, and liability.
Home improvement and construction has always interested me and has led me to enjoy writing about everything that relates.
Additional Safety Knowledge
Alberta Construction Safety Framework
Alberta construction is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, OHS Regulation, and OHS Code. Prime contractors on construction sites of 20+ workers must have a written health and safety program including hazard assessments, safe work practices, training records, incident investigation procedures, and joint health and safety committee (JHSC) provisions. The prime contractor coordinates safety across all sub-trades.
The Four Leading Causes of Construction Fatalities
- Falls from height: 33–39% of construction fatalities. Prevention: fall protection systems, guardrails, safe access.
- Struck-by objects: 10–12% of fatalities. Prevention: exclusion zones, tool tethering, hard hats, load path awareness.
- Electrocutions: 8–10% of fatalities. Prevention: lockout-tagout, overhead line clearance (7 metres minimum in Alberta for lines up to 750V), GFCIs.
- Caught-in/between: 5–8% of fatalities. Prevention: trench shoring, machine guarding, energy control procedures.
These are known as OSHA’s “Focus Four” and are the target of workplace safety programs across Canada and the US.
Pre-Work Hazard Assessment
Every task must begin with a documented hazard assessment. Workers identify hazards, evaluate risk (probability × severity), and implement controls following the hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE. Alberta OHS requires a formal hazard assessment for all work, and a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA) for non-routine tasks. Workers have the legal right to refuse unsafe work under Section 31 of the OHS Act.
Top Ten Construction Safety Standards To Live By — Personal Protective Equipment
Construction PPE minimum standards in Alberta: CSA Grade 1 hard hat, CSA Grade 1 safety footwear (green triangle), CSA-approved safety eyewear, and high-visibility apparel meeting CSA Z96 Class 2 or 3 for roadside work. Additional task-specific PPE (respirators, hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves, fall arrest harnesses) is required based on hazard assessment. PPE is the last line of defence, not the first control.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
