Cheat sheet

59 figures that decide questions on the OSHA 10-Hour Construction paper, each with the paragraph it comes from so you can check any of them. Print it, screenshot it, whatever gets it in front of you the night before.

The ones people swap

Nobody fails because they never saw a number. They fail because two numbers sit close together and go the wrong way round under time pressure. These are the pairs.

8 hoursReport a work-related fatality

The 24-hour window, which is for hospitalisation, amputation and loss of an eye.

10 or fewer employeesPartial recordkeeping exemption

The exemption covers routine recordkeeping only. Every employer still reports fatalities and severe injuries.

15 working daysContest a citation

Working days, not calendar days, and the clock starts on receipt.

6 feetFall protection trigger, construction

Scaffolds trigger at 10 feet, and general industry at 4 feet. Three different numbers for three different situations.

6 feetMaximum free fall distance

The 3.5-foot deceleration distance. This is the most confused pair in Subpart M.

10 feetClearance from overhead lines, general work, up to 50 kV

Crane work requires 20 feet. Two numbers, two situations, constantly swapped.

Every 3 monthsAssured grounding conductor programme, test interval

Also before first use, after repair, and after any suspected damage. All four triggers apply.

Under 30 psiCompressed air for cleaning, maximum pressure

The pressure limit AND chip guarding AND PPE. All three, not any one.

5 feetProtective system required at

Egress is required at 4 feet. One foot apart, different triggers, and the most common mix-up in Subpart P.

1½ to 1, about 34 degreesMaximum slope, Type C soil

Type B is 1:1 at 45 degrees, Type A is ¾:1 at 53 degrees. Less stable soil needs a flatter slope.

About 3,000 poundsWeight of one cubic yard of soil

This is why a buried worker cannot be pulled free by hand.

50 µg/m³, 8-hour TWARespirable crystalline silica PEL

The action level is 25 µg/m³, half the PEL.

16, in fixed orderSafety Data Sheet sections

Section 4 is first aid, Section 8 is exposure controls and PPE.

Medical evaluation, then fit test, then trainingRespirator sequence before use

Medical evaluation comes first. A respirator adds breathing strain before it adds protection.

4 times the maximum intended loadScaffold structural safety factor

Suspension ropes carry a factor of 6, not 4.

10 feetScaffold fall protection trigger

General construction triggers at 6 feet. Scaffolds are the exception.

25 gallons maximumFlammable liquid outside an approved cabinet

An approved cabinet holds up to 60 gallons of Class I or II.

Reporting and recordkeeping
Report a work-related fatality8 hours29 CFR 1904.39
Report hospitalisation, amputation or loss of an eye24 hours29 CFR 1904.39(a)(2)
Post the OSHA 300A annual summary1 February to 30 April29 CFR 1904.32(b)(6)
Retain injury and illness records5 years29 CFR 1904.33
Partial recordkeeping exemption10 or fewer employees29 CFR 1904.1
Worker rights and enforcement
File a retaliation complaint30 daysOSH Act Section 11(c)
Contest a citation15 working daysOSH Act Section 10(c)
Post a citation at the workplace3 working days, or until abatedOSH Act Section 9(b)
Fall protection
Fall protection trigger, construction6 feet29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1)
Maximum free fall distance6 feet29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)
Maximum deceleration distance3.5 feet29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)
Guardrail top rail height42 inches, plus or minus 329 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)
Toeboard minimum height3.5 inches29 CFR 1926.502(j)
Arresting force on the body, with a harness1,800 pounds maximum29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(ii)
Electrical
Clearance from overhead lines, general work, up to 50 kV10 feet29 CFR 1926.1408
Crane clearance from lines up to 350 kV20 feet29 CFR 1926.1408(a)
Live parts must be guarded at or above50 volts29 CFR 1926.403(i)(2)
Assured grounding conductor programme, test intervalEvery 3 months29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(E)
Compressed air for cleaning, maximum pressureUnder 30 psi29 CFR 1926.302(b)(4)
Struck-by
Enclosed chute required for debris dropped more than20 feet29 CFR 1926.252(a)
Brick stack maximum height7 feet, tapered above 4 feet29 CFR 1926.250(b)(6)
Masonry block taper above6 feet, half a block per tier29 CFR 1926.250(b)(7)
Bagged material, step back every10 bags29 CFR 1926.250(b)(4)
Grinder work rest gapWithin 1/8 inch29 CFR 1926.303(c)(2)
Excavation
Protective system required at5 feet29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1)
Ladder, stairway or ramp required at4 feet29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2)
Engineered design required at20 feet29 CFR 1926.652(b)(4)
Spoil setback from the edge2 feet29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2)
Maximum lateral travel to egress25 feet29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2)
Atmospheric testing required belowMore than 4 feet29 CFR 1926.651(g)(1)
Maximum slope, Type C soil1½ to 1, about 34 degrees29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App B
Weight of one cubic yard of soilAbout 3,000 poundsOSHA excavation guidance
Trench definition, maximum bottom width15 feet29 CFR 1926.650(b)
Exposure limits
Respirable crystalline silica PEL50 µg/m³, 8-hour TWA29 CFR 1926.1153(c)
Construction noise PEL90 dBA, 8-hour TWA29 CFR 1926.52
Safety Data Sheet sections16, in fixed order29 CFR 1910.1200
Asbestos disease latency10 to 40 years29 CFR 1926.1101
PPE
Respirator sequence before useMedical evaluation, then fit test, then training29 CFR 1910.134
Scaffolds
Scaffold structural safety factor4 times the maximum intended load29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1)
Suspension rope safety factor6 times29 CFR 1926.451(a)(4)
Scaffold fall protection trigger10 feet29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)
Minimum platform width18 inches29 CFR 1926.451(b)(2)
Restrain from tipping when height exceeds4 times the base width29 CFR 1926.451(c)(1)
Guardrail height, erected after 200038 to 45 inches29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(ii)
Stairways and ladders
Side rails above the landing3 feet29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1)
Ladder base placement1 out for every 4 up29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(5)(i)
Stairway or ladder required at a break of19 inches29 CFR 1926.1051(a)
Stairrail required at4 risers or 30 inches, whichever is less29 CFR 1926.1052(a)(3)
Rung spacing10 to 14 inches29 CFR 1926.1053(a)(3)(i)
Cranes
Comprehensive inspection intervalEvery 12 months29 CFR 1926.1412
Personnel platform safety factor5 times29 CFR 1926.1431(d)
Signal persons giving instruction at one timeOne, except an emergency stop from anyone29 CFR 1926.1419
Fire protection
Extinguisher coverageOne 2A per 3,000 sq ft, within 100 feet29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(i)
Where over 5 gal of flammable liquid is usedA 10B extinguisher within 50 feet29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(vi)
Flammable liquid outside an approved cabinet25 gallons maximum29 CFR 1926.152(b)(1)
Fire watch after hot workAt least 30 minutes29 CFR 1926.352(e)
Oxygen from fuel gas cylinders20 feet, or a 5-foot barrier29 CFR 1926.350(a)(10)
Concrete and masonry
Brace masonry walls taller than8 feet29 CFR 1926.706(b)
Limited access zone widthWall height plus 4 feet29 CFR 1926.706(a)

No penalty amounts appear here. OSHA adjusts them for inflation every year, so any figure we printed would be wrong within twelve months while still looking authoritative. If you need a current penalty figure, take it from OSHA directly.

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