Calculating costs: OSHA standards for construction and general industry

TLDR

OSHA standards protect workers and reduce liability on construction sites. Contractors can factor compliance costs PPE, training, insurance, and documentation into overhead rates using construction estimating software. Bolster simplifies this process, ensuring accurate, compliant, and professional quotes.

What Are OSHA Standards and Why Do They Exist?

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards were established in 1970 to protect workers from injuries, illness, and fatalities. These rules cover construction sites, offices, and other work areas. Noncompliance can result in fines, work stoppages, or even jail time.

Modern OSHA standards ensure that construction work is done safely, protecting employees and your business.

Where to Find OSHA Standards

OSHA regulations vary by state, country, and industry. Electricians, roofers, and mold remediation companies each face different requirements. Always identify the standards relevant to your work to ensure full compliance.

How to Become OSHA-Compliant

Key steps include:

1. Research applicable OSHA standards.
2. Create or hire a professional to develop a health and safety plan.
3. Invest in PPE for your employees.
4. Provide employee training (e.g., fall protection, first aid, equipment use).
5. Track incidents and accidents with proper documentation.
6. Ensure worker’s compensation and public liability insurance are in place.
7. Enforce health and safety standards on-site.

Compliance protects your team and prevents costly delays or legal issues.

Cost Implications of OSHA Compliance

OSHA compliance costs are typically part of your overhead. These include:

• PPE and protective equipment
• Worker’s compensation premiums
• Insurance premiums
• Employee training
• Health and safety documentation
• Time spent completing compliance paperwork
• Apps or tools used to manage OSHA on-site

How to Calculate OSHA Costs:

1. Determine total monthly OSHA compliance costs.
2. Divide by the number of crews.
3. Divide by total hours worked per month.
4. Add a markup to ensure full coverage.

Including this in your labor rate guarantees that every quote reflects the real cost of compliance.

Taking Your Estimation to the Next Level

Manual estimates with spreadsheets or pencil and paper are time-consuming and prone to errors. Bolster construction estimating software simplifies OSHA cost integration. Features include:

• Automated labor rates including OSHA overhead
• Real-time supplier pricing via smart web crawlers
• Interactive client quotes with options and upgrades
• Faster, more accurate, and professional estimates

With Bolster, OSHA compliance becomes a seamless part of your quoting process.

Conclusion

Understanding OSHA standards and including their costs in your estimates is crucial for safe, profitable construction. Bolster helps contractors integrate OSHA compliance, improve estimating efficiency, and deliver professional quotes that win jobs.

Contact the Bolster team today to schedule a demo and see how OSHA compliance and accurate estimation can work for you.