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Safe Construction and Demolition Operations Ordinance

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Beginning December 1, 2023, the Safe Construction and Demolition Operations Ordinance requires construction and demolition sites in Boston seeking a permit with the Inspectional Services Department must: 

  • submit a Site Safety Plan Affidavit that the permit holder or their designee has prepared and will implement a project-specific Site Safety Plan 
  • conduct safety orientations and pre-shift meetings, 
  • and on larger projects, appoint a site safety coordinator.

The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure that all construction and demolition operations in the City of Boston are conducted in a manner that protects the health, welfare, and safety of workers and the public.

Please note: This requirement does not apply in instances where a permit is issued with a Homeowner Waiver.  

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What is a Site Safety Plan Affidavit?

All permit holders for construction and demolition worksites operating in the City of Boston are required to submit a Site Safety Plan Affidavit. This sworn statement certifies that the permit holder or their designee has prepared and will implement a project-specific Site Safety Plan. 

Permit holders must also attest that their project will comply with all applicable OSHA health and safety regulations. Permit holders can modify the site safety plan as needed.

What is a Site Safety Plan?

A Site Safety Plan should provide an overview of the potential hazards workers may encounter on the site and the training, safety procedures, personal protective equipment  needed to keep workers, the public and property safe. 

There are two steps to creating a Site Safety Plan: 

  1. Hazard Identification and Assessment.  One of the "root causes" of workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents is the failure to identify or recognize hazards that are present, or that could have been anticipated. The first step in creating a Site Safety Plan is to identify or recognize potential hazards. OSHA provides this guide to hazard identification. This Job Hazards Analysis Worksheet is another useful resource.
  2. Hazard Prevention and Control. Once potential hazards are identified, employers and workers cooperate to identify and select methods for eliminating, preventing, or controlling workplace hazards. Controls are selected according to a hierarchy that uses engineering solutions first, followed by safe work practices, administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment (PPE). OSHA provides this guide to hazard prevention and control. This Hierarchy of Controls Worksheet another useful resource.

Note: The City will not collect or review Site Safety Plans.

The Center for Construction Research and Training also provides resources to create Site Safety Plans and programs in English and Spanish. Their Pre-Task Planning (PTP) Guidelines and Resources for Construction include a hazard identifications and controls template that can be used as a model when creating the City-required Site Safety Plan. 

Remember! The City of Boston’s Construction and Demolition Safety Ordinance requires that all workers receive an orientation on the Site Safety Plan in a language they understand as part of the Site Safety Monitoring Plan. Sometimes OSHA requires additional specialized training for workers when their work involves unique hazards (for instance fall protection, confined space or hazard communication training). A Site Safety Plan Orientation does not replace this required training. A detailed list of training requirements in OSHA standards can be found here.

What is a Site Safety Monitoring Plan?

All permit holders must have a Site Safety Monitoring Plan to implement their Site Safety Plan. The Site Safety Monitoring Plan should include Site Safety Plan orientations and Pre-Shift Safety Meetings. 

Site Safety Plan Orientation
  • All workers must participate in a Site Safety Orientation annually. This includes a review of hazards and safety procedures.
  • All materials and training must be conducted in a language workers understand.
  • Site Safety Orientation does not replace required health and safety training.
  • Permit holders must keep a record of all orientations and annual refreshers that includes:
  1. The date and time
  2. The name, title, and company affiliation of each worker
  3. The name, title, and company of the person who conducted the orientation and their signature
Pre-Shift Safety Meetings
  • All workers must attend regular pre-shift safety meetings.
  • Permit holders must keep a record of each worker's attendance at pre-shift safety meetings at least once per week. Each record must include:
  1. The date and time
  2. The name, title, and company affiliation of each worker
  3. The name, title, and company of the person who conducted the pre-shift safety meeting, and their signature

What is Site Safety Coordinator?

A Site Safety Coordinator must be on site at all times at construction sites larger than 50,000 square feet or demolition projects larger than four stories. The Site Safety Coordinators must:

  • Have at least OSHA 30-Hour training.
  • Conduct weekly safety meetings, inspections, spot checks and keep a Site Safety Log.
  • Correct unsafe conditions and/or report them to ISD or to OSHA if they are violations of federal workplace conditions.
  • Notify ISD of any unpermitted work or use of unpermitted equipment.
  • Be present at the site while active work is occurring and through all phases of work, beginning with excavation and continuing until the building is enclosed and all temporary protective measures are removed.
  • Site Safety Coordinators are not allowed to work at multiple sites.
SITE SAFETY LOG

The Site Safety Log maintained by the Site Safety Coordinator must have a record of the conditions of the site and any incidents and include the following:  

  • names of attendees of weekly safety meetings
  • unsafe conditions found with dates and location
  • companies and representatives notified of unsafe conditions with date and time 
  • violations, stop work orders, or summons by the Inspectional Services Department (ISD), and
  • any other relevant information as may be required by ISD.  
ALTERNATE SITE SAFETY COORDINATOR

If the primary site safety coordinator is not available, an alternate coordinator must fill in and carry out all duties. 

Federal Law
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All workers are entitled to a safe workplace. Employers must keep sites free of known health and safety hazards. Employees have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation.

Construction Safety Ordinance

Construction Safety Ordinance

Multilingual Resources

Multilingual Resources
Construction Site Poster
Permit Holders Responsibility
Site Safety Plan Affidavit

English (Additional languages coming soon!)

English (Additional languages coming soon!)

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