This is the setup list we'd want in hand before a crew arrives: the permit and locate calls, what has to be on site the first morning, and the jobs that come back every day. Each line points to the federal rule it comes from, so you can check it yourself. There's a printable copy too.
Before mobilization
These take lead time. A permit or a locate request that's late can hold the whole start date.
| Item | What the rule says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Stormwater permit | A Clean Water Act permit is needed for construction that disturbs 1 acre or more, or less than that if it's part of a common plan that will disturb 1 acre or more.1 | EPA construction stormwater |
| Underground utilities | Find the estimated location of sewer, phone, fuel, electric and water lines before opening an excavation, and contact the utility owners within local response times.2 | 29 CFR 1926.651(b) |
| Toilet count | Toilets are counted from Table D-1 by the number of employees. Our portable toilet calculator does the math.3 | 29 CFR 1926.51(c) |
| Drinking water | An adequate supply of potable water in every place of employment, in containers that close tightly and have a tap. No dipping.3 | 29 CFR 1926.51(a) |
| Waste containers | Containers for collecting and separating waste, trash, oily rags and other refuse. Garbage and oily, flammable or hazardous waste containers need covers.4 | 29 CFR 1926.25(c) |
| Fire extinguishers | At least one rated 2A for every 3,000 square feet of building area, no more than 100 feet of travel to reach one, and one or more on each floor.5 | 29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1) |
These are federal minimums. Your state plan, city, owner or contract can ask for more.
Day one on site
Not every job needs these. If the scope includes the work in the heading, check them off before it starts.
Dropping material more than 20 feet outside the walls takes an enclosed chute. Dropping it through a floor hole without one means barricades at least 42 inches high, at least 6 feet back, and warning signs on each level.6
Rule1926.252(a) and (b)
A ladder, stairway or ramp within 25 feet of lateral travel in trenches 4 feet deep or more. Spoil and equipment kept at least 2 feet from the edge. High visibility vests for anyone exposed to traffic.2
Rule1926.651(c), (d) and (j)
An extinguisher rated at least 10B within 50 feet of where more than 5 gallons of flammable liquid or 5 pounds of flammable gas is in use. Washing facilities close by for crews applying paint, coatings, herbicides or insecticides.53
Rule1926.150(c)(1)(vi) and 1926.51(f)
Every day
Form and scrap lumber with nails sticking out, and every other kind of debris, stays out of work areas, passageways and stairs.4
Scrap lumber, waste and rubbish come out of the immediate work area as the work progresses, and combustible debris goes out at regular intervals.64
Solvent waste, oily rags and flammable liquids stay in fire resistant, covered containers until they leave the site.6
A competent person checks excavations and protective systems before work starts, as needed through the shift, and after every rainstorm.2
A toilet that isn't sanitary doesn't count toward the required number, according to OSHA's 2006 interpretation letter. If one fills up early, call for service before the next scheduled visit.7
Where we come in
A good share of the checklist is equipment: the dumpster for scrap, the toilets and hand wash stations, fence around the perimeter and a storage container for tools. We line those up through our provider network on one order, so the delivery dates match your start date.
What we don't do is the safety program itself. Extinguishers, trench protection and inspections are on the contractor and the competent person on site.
Tell us the crew size, how long the job runs and what's going on site. We'll put the dumpster, restrooms, fence and storage on one order.
Questions
OSHA asks for containers to collect and separate waste and for garbage to be disposed of at frequent and regular intervals. It doesn't name a container type, so a dumpster is the usual way to do it, not the only one.4
When construction disturbs 1 acre or more, or less than 1 acre that's part of a larger common plan that will reach 1 acre.1
One rated 2A for each 3,000 square feet of building area, with no more than 100 feet to walk to one, and at least one on each floor. A 10B extinguisher is added within 50 feet of larger amounts of flammable liquid or gas.5
Not from more than 20 feet up unless it goes through an enclosed chute.6
No. It covers common site setup items from the federal rules linked below. Fall protection, scaffolds, electrical and the rest of Part 1926 aren't on it, and it isn't legal advice.
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Sources