May 31, 2004—Aimed at increasing the safety of the public around construction sites, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced the availability of the new American National Standard Institute (ANSI) A10.34-2001 standard, the only construction standard to specifically address public safety during construction operations.
The standard Protection of the Public on or Adjacent to Construction Sites establishes comprehensive safety guidelines for employers, contractors, building owners, and rescue personnel to protect the public from construction hazards in the air, on land, or at sea.
The A10.34 standard was approved by ANSI on August 11, 2001, and will be published by ASSE during May 2004. The standard establishes necessary elements of a public hazard control plan, covering such issues as cutting, welding, forming and pouring concrete, blasting or pile-driving, hoisting, shoring and other activities that can jeopardize public safety. The standard also covers preventing falling objects from harming the public by using barricades or nets; guarding the public from cranes, motor vehicles, barges or other machinery and equipment; alerting the public of loud impact noises from construction equipment; making sure that walkways near construction sites are both accessible and safe; properly storing hazardous materials and substances; assessing structures before drilling or trenching takes place; and developing emergency action plans at sites under construction.
An appendix to the published standard is included, which features a sample non-mandatory public hazard protection plan checklist.
ASSE serves as the new secretariat of the A10 Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) on Safety Requirements for Construction and Demolition Operations, which includes the A10.34 standard. The A10 ASC develops and revises over 40 active standards and projects to protect workers and the public.
To order a copy of the standard contact ASSE Customer Service at 847-699-2929 or visit ASSE.
