WISHA Safety Compliance Program

Section 1 · Program Statement and Objectives

Northpoint Construction LLC is committed to providing every employee with a safe and healthy workplace. We believe that no construction project is worth an injury — and that injuries are not an inevitable cost of doing business. Through planning, training, and daily attention to hazards, we work to prevent injuries before they happen.

Objectives

• Maintain full compliance with WISHA (Chapter 49.17 RCW) and WAC 296-155 (construction safety standards).
• Identify and eliminate or control hazards on every jobsite before work begins.
• Train every employee on the hazards they may encounter and the controls we have in place.
• Provide the personal protective equipment (PPE) required for each task at no cost to the employee.
• Investigate every incident, near-miss, and injury to learn from it and prevent recurrence.
• Create a workplace where every employee knows they can raise a safety concern without fear of retaliation.

Scope of this program

This program applies to all Northpoint Construction LLC operations in the state of Washington, including all jobsites (residential remodels, new construction, and light commercial), all employees regardless of position, and all subcontractors working under our direction. Subcontractors are additionally bound by the safety obligations in their subcontractor agreement (see separate document).

Section 2 · Responsibilities Matrix

Safety works only when everyone knows their role. The following responsibility matrix assigns specific duties at each level of the organization.

Section 3 · Hazard Identification and Assessment

We cannot control a hazard we have not identified. This program requires hazard assessment at three levels: before the project begins, every day at the jobsite, and before any non-routine or high-risk task.

3.1 Pre-project hazard assessment

Before work begins on any project, the site superintendent completes a written pre-project hazard assessment that identifies:

• The scope of work and its hazards (trenching, fall exposure, demolition, electrical work, confined spaces, etc.)
• Site-specific conditions (proximity to overhead power lines, uneven terrain, traffic exposure, weather considerations, presence of asbestos or lead in older structures)
• Other contractors and trades present and their schedules
• Access and egress routes for workers and emergency services
• Location of the nearest emergency services (hospital, urgent care, fire/EMS)

3.2 Daily jobsite inspection

At the start of every workday, before work begins, the foreman or site superintendent walks the site and completes the daily jobsite inspection checklist covering:

• Fall hazards and fall protection systems (WAC 296-155-24611 — 10-foot trigger height for construction)
• Excavation protection (shoring, benching, sloping, or protective system per WAC 296-155 Part N)
• Electrical hazards (GFCI protection, cords and equipment condition, overhead line proximity)
• Scaffolding (proper erection, complete guardrails, access, weight limits)
• PPE availability and condition
• Housekeeping, egress, and fire protection
• Hazardous materials (HazCom) and their proper storage and labeling
• First aid supplies, emergency contact information, and evacuation plan posting

3.3 Task-specific hazard assessment (JHA)

Before any non-routine, high-risk task (fall protection above 10 feet, excavation over 4 feet deep, hot work, confined space entry, lifting operations, demolition, etc.), the foreman conducts a Job Hazard Analysis with the crew. The JHA identifies each step, the hazard at that step, and the control in place. A blank JHA form is included as Appendix C of this program.

Section 4 · Top Five Hazard Categories

Based on L&I enforcement data and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, five hazard categories cause the majority of construction injuries and fatalities. Each is addressed specifically in this program.

4.1 Falls from elevation (WAC 296-155 Part C-1)

Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities. Washington's trigger height for fall protection in construction is 10 feet — lower than the federal OSHA 6-foot rule. At or above 10 feet (and at lower heights in specific situations like steel erection or work near dangerous equipment), fall protection must be in place.

• Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems are the three acceptable protection categories.
• Fall arrest harnesses must be inspected before each use; any damaged harness is tagged out and removed from service immediately.
• Anchor points must support at least 5,000 pounds per attached worker.
• Every crew member working at height receives documented fall protection training before their first aerial assignment.

4.2 Struck-by hazards

Being struck by moving equipment, falling tools, or swinging loads is the second leading cause of construction fatalities. Controls include hard hats on every jobsite at all times (no exceptions), tool tethers at heights, clearly marked lift zones, spotters for backing vehicles, and high-visibility apparel in traffic zones.

4.3 Caught-in/between hazards

Trench cave-ins, being pinned between equipment and a wall, or entanglement in rotating machinery kill construction workers every year in Washington. Excavations deeper than 4 feet require a protective system (shoring, benching, or sloping) per WAC 296-155 Part N unless made in stable rock. Daily inspection of the excavation by a competent person is required, and no employee works in an unprotected excavation.

4.4 Electrocution

Overhead power lines, damaged cords, and improper lockout-tagout cause electrocution fatalities. Controls include maintaining at least 10 feet of clearance from overhead lines (more for higher voltages), GFCI protection on all 120V circuits, daily cord inspection, and a written lockout-tagout procedure for energy-isolation work.

4.5 Hazardous atmospheres and confined spaces

Crawl spaces, tanks, manholes, and excavations can have oxygen-deficient, toxic, or flammable atmospheres. We do not perform confined space entry without a written entry permit, atmospheric testing, an attendant, and a rescue plan — following WAC 296-809.