OSHA General Requirements: Construction

OSHA's first-aid general requirements for construction are more rigid due to the increased risk of injury on the job.

Section 1926.50 of 29 CFR requires construction employers to set up provisions for prompt medical care in case of serious injury. In the absence of a "reasonably accessible" infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician, the worksite must employ a person who has a "valid certificate in first-aid training from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the American Red Cross, or equivalent training that can be verified by documentary evidence."

OSHA's construction regulations also cover electrical power transmission and distribution. In regards to field work, OSHA requires at least two persons trained in first aid at any location involving two or more employees.

For fixed workplaces, such as a substation, there must be enough trained employees to ensure that any employee exposed to electric shock can be reached within four minutes by a qualified person. If the existing number of employees cannot meet this requirement, each employee must be trained in first aid.

To learn more about Workplace First Aid visit our Workplace First Aid Online Training web page.