So, you are finally going to get that new lab or you are going to get to expand your overcrowded, cramped facility into that expansive office space next door. Throughout the construction process, whether new construction or renovation, the focus is on the end product. Is the design what we need? Will it work for us? Is the quality of construction meeting our expectations? Will it be on time and within budget? These are all, without a doubt, critical considerations in any construction project. There is one aspect of the design and execution of a project that we as “safety guys” find often stirs up more business for us than one might expect. This is the protection of building occupants and people in public areas adjacent to the construction activities. Before proceeding, one point of clarification; when we refer to the “public,” we mean anyone not directly associated with the construction process, whether a worker in your area or the general public on your site. Construction can be a very disruptive process if not well managed. Safety problems might include: falling or windborne debris, dusts/fumes/odors, blocked exits, fires caused by welding, soldering or roofing, tripping hazards or uneven surfaces, changes to paths of travel within a facility, noise, vibration, lighting (or lack of it), ultraviolet radiation (e.g. welding), construction equipment and vehicles, utility interruptions, building access issues (both pedestrian, ADA access, vehicle and loading dock), and security. Many aspects of a construction project may also spread potential contaminants that could impact the quality of analyses performed.

There are a number of standards to protect the public from specific hazards, most notably, asbestos and lead, but traditionally there were no real comprehensive safety standards or guidelines to hang your hat on that applied to overall protection of the general public. That changed with the approval of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10.34-2001 standard entitled “Protection of the Public on or Adjacent to Construction Sites—American National Standard for Construction and Demolition Operation.” This is not a law or regulation as are the asbestos and lead standards, but it is a recognized consensus document that can be included in the contract specifications and therefore be enforced by the project manager.

To be approved by ANSI, the requirements of due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval have been met. Consensus is established when, in the judgment of ANSI, substantial agreement by those groups directly and materially affected has been reached. In this case, it was a collaborative effort between construction companies, government, trade unions, design professionals, the insurance industry, and others.