OSHA compliance for General Construction in California

Under 29 CFR 1910.147 and 1910.333, energy isolation must be device-specific, documented, and auditable. A compliant panel lockout shows the procedure number, the person who applied it, verification of zero energy, and the timestamp of shift turnover. Auditors also check that the lock corresponds to a written LOTO procedure referencing TRIR-driven corrective actions and JHA/JSA updates. Photograph the lock, breaker position, and test instruments, then store them with the permit package. If temporary energized work is required, pair NFPA 70E permits with LOTO exception documentation and retraining rosters so supervisors can prove control.

Yes. 29 CFR 1910.38 applies regardless of headcount once you have more than 10 employees on a shift. Your plan must cover evacuation roles, severe weather, ammonia or battery off-gassing, and communication with 911. Tie the plan into walking-working-surfaces inspections so dock doors, MEWP lanes, and muster points stay clear. Practice at least annually, log corrective actions that surface during drills, and translate the playbook for temporary crews. Inspectors often ask to see drill documentation plus how you alert temporary workers or drivers who speak limited English.

Start with 29 CFR 1904.4 requirements: every recordable injury gets logged on your OSHA 300 with case classification. Calculate TRIR and DART monthly using the formulas from OSHA’s recordkeeping handbook, then tie the data to your corrective action tracker. We recommend exporting from HRIS or claims systems, tagging each case with the impacted program (HazCom, LOTO, PPE, etc.), and publishing the numbers inside your safety committee minutes so leadership owns the trends. Include DART root causes, retraining dates, and closure proof so you can show an auditor exactly how metrics improve over time.

For temporary power on construction or service sites, OSHA allows either daily GFCI testing or a documented Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program (29 CFR 1926.404). Most SMBs run both: install in-line GFCIs on cords and maintain an AEGCP log with test dates, tool IDs, resistance readings, and signatures. Highlight failed cords, document when they were removed from service, and show who verified the fix. Store the log with your LOTO procedures and electrical safety training so inspectors see the connection.

A near miss is any unplanned event that could have caused injury, illness, or property damage but didn’t. OSHA references near-miss reporting in multiple letters of interpretation along with 29 CFR 1904 recordkeeping guidance. Documenting them lets you trend hazards before they become recordables. Capture who reported it, photos, and what temporary controls were installed, then assign follow-up dates. Tie reports to JHAs, toolbox talks, and corrective actions so crews see follow-up, especially on fall protection and LOTO issues.

29 CFR 1910.178 requires formal instruction, practical training, and evaluation by a qualified person. Use videos, hands-on coaching, and a driving test on the actual dock layout. Document the trainer’s qualifications, the competencies tested, and the date each operator was released. Tie the program to your Walking-Working Surfaces inspections so trainees understand guardrails, dock plates, and MEWP lanes. Re-evaluate drivers every three years or sooner after near misses or equipment changes, and log retraining dates next to TRIR spikes.