OSHA Issues Recommended Practices for Construction Safety & Health Programs

By Rod Smith, Pat Miller, Matt Morrison and Chuck Newcom

Following the October 18th release of its “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs,” OSHA issued similar Recommended Practices for the construction industry on December 1, 2016.

Unlike general industry, OSHA’s construction standards contain brief requirements for an accident prevention program, 29 C.F.R. §1926.20(b). While these requirements remain the same, contractors should keep in mind that the new Recommended Practices are only recommendations, not legal requirements. Contractors can expect OSHA to encourage adoption of the Recommended Practices, but they cannot be cited for not following them.

The Recommended Practices for construction provide a wealth of information and resources for the development and implementation of a health and safety program.

Rod Smith, Pat Miller, Chuck Newcom and Matt Morrison are part of Sherman & Howard’s Labor & Employment Law Department, practicing in the areas of occupational safety and health law. They routinely appear before the federal Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and state occupational safety and health boards.


Sherman & Howard L.L.C. has prepared this advisory to provide general information on recent legal developments that may be of interest. This advisory does not provide legal advice for any specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship between any reader and the Firm.

©2016 Sherman & Howard L.L.C.                                                                                   December 5, 2016