Purdue University Calumet
School of Technology
Course Syllabi
OLS 34000 – Fundamentals of Construction Safety
Credits and Contact Hours:
3 credit hours, 3 contact hours
Instructor’s or Course Coordinator’s Name:
Shoji Nakayama
Text Book, Title, Author and Year:
Title: What Every Supervisor Must Know About OSHA ; Teeples; $43.95; ISBN # 0808014455
Title: The Jungle , Upton Sinclair. Suggest you borrow from your local library.
Introduction to the Course: a. Catalog Description
Overview of construction safety and health regulations. Throughout the course students will participate in discussions pertaining to construction safety issues and will be provided information to evaluate the primary OSHA targeted hazards in the construction industry. OSHA 30 Hr. card. Students will learn to recognize key hazards, be exposed to control technologies and corrective actions for the prevention of an injury, illness, and fatality that commonly occurs at construction sites. b. Prerequisite : None c. Selective Course
(Instructor’s comments : This course presents occupational safety and health regulations in the construction industry which are essential to first-line supervisors, project managers, and safety professionals. Emphasis is placed on an understanding of the construction safety and health standards and regulations related to providing a safe and healthful working environment. All of the OSHA Construction safety regulations will be addressed, as well as past and present industry approaches towards protecting the worker.)
Specific Goals to the Course:
­
­
­
­
­
­
­
­ a. The student, by the end of the semester should be able to:
­ Explain the origins of the OSHA Act (k)
­
Understand 30 hour USDOL OSHA Course competencies (k)
Explain in general the OSHA 1926 Construction Standards (k)
Explain various rights and responsibilities of both the employers and employees under the OSHA
Act (k)
Explain the differences between specification and performance based standards (k)
Explain the issues regarding an OSHA inspection (j, k)
Develop a general understanding of construction site hazards and prevention or abatement (e, j, k)
Write a project specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP) (a, c, e, k)
Complete Job Safety Analysis’ addressing common construction project hazards (e, k)
Discuss ethical behavior regarding employee safety (f, k)
Page 1 of 2

­
­
­
Explain various Safety/Quality processes such as Behavioral, Appreciative Inquiry, TQM,
Servant Leadership, etc. (a, k)
Write a 3 to 5 page paper on a safety or health topic, TBD and approved (a, e, g, j, k)
Present a safety training session 10-15 minutes in length w/demonstration (e, g, j, k) b. Student Outcomes
This course satisfies ABET Criterion a, c, e, f, g, j, k
Course Delivery Methods (check all that apply):
□ Lecture
□ Laboratory
√ Online
□ Discussion groups
□ Projects
□ Other (explain)
Factors Used to Determine the Course Grade (check all that apply):
√ Quizzes –
√ Exams –
□ Homework
√ Papers
□ Lab Reports
□ Class participation
√ How final grade is determined –quizzes (80 pts.), safety plan (20 pts.), readings/papers (20 pts.), course paper (50 pts.), midterm (50 pts.) and final exam (80 pts.)
Brief List of Topics to be Covered:
Course Introduction, Syllabus, HASP, JSA, and OSHA Standards Presentation, History of safety in the construction industry, Federal Safety Acts prior to OSHA
Discussion of Subpart C – General Contractor Safety and Health Provisions; Discuss rights of employer and employee, Overview of OSHA Standards and Certifications, ANSI, NFPA, etc.
Discussion of Subpart D – Occupational Health and Environmental Controls, Guest Lecturer,
Guest Lecturer – Industrial Hygienist, Addressing Health Hazards in Construction Industry
Quiz; Discussion of Subpart E – PPE & Life Saving Equipment,
Discussion of Subpart G – Signs, Signals and Barricades; OSHA inspections
Discussion of Subpart I – Tools, Hazard Assessment Protocols, Hazard Controls
Discussion of Subpart J – Welding and Cutting, Accident Investigations
Discussion of Subpart K – Electrical, Recordkeeping
Discussion of Subpart L – Scaffolds
Discussion of Subpart M – Fall Protection
Discussion of Subpart N – Cranes, Subpart O Motor Vehicle
Quiz; Guest lecturer, CSHO, USDOL, OSHA
Discussion of Subpart P – Excavations
Discussion of Subpart Q – Concrete and Masonry
Discussion of Subpart R – Steel Erection
Page 2 of 2