GSA 01 59 50 - SAFETY AND HEALTH.docx

Kika De La Garza Land Port of Entry Pharr, Texas Kahua #350

Santa Teresa Land Port of Entry BRIC Santa Teresa, New Mexico Kahua #353

SECTION 01 59 50 - SAFETY AND HEALTH

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. This project includes or may be expected to include the following tasks that involve unique safety and health risks.

1. Work generating silica dust (e.g. concrete drilling, jack-hammering, etc.)

2. Excavation and trenching

3. The use of powered equipment

4. Electrical work

5. Work involving high noise levels B. References: In addition to publications referenced in the Construction Contract Clauses, the following Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and publications apply to the conduct of the work. State and local safety and health regulations that apply are not cited herein. Current editions at the date of the agreement apply. The more stringent requirements shall apply.

1. 29 CFR Part 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry.

2. 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA "Safety and Health Regulations for Construction"

3. 40 CFR 260 - 279 EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

4. 40 CFR, Part 761 EPA Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Manufacturing, Processing, Distribution in Commerce and Use Prohibitions.

5. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E Electrical Safety Requirements for Workplace Safety

6. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 241 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations

7. GSA Public Buildings Service (PBS) Asbestos Management policy (P1000.1A)

8. GSA PBS Fuel Storage Tank Management policy (1095.2)

9. GSA PBS Indoor Air Quality Management policy (1000.8)

10. GSA PBS Safety and Health Management policy (5940.3)

11. GSA PBS P-100 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service

12. ANSI/IICRC S500: Professional Water Damage Restoration

13. ANSI/IICRC S520: Professional Mold Remediation

14. EPA 402-K-01-001: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Facilities

15. Applicable Federal, State, and local safety & health regulations.

C. Acquisition of Publications:

1. Codes of Federal Regulations (CFR) may be obtained online (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr).

2. NFPA publications may be purchased from the National Fire Protection Association (https://www.nfpa.org/).

3. ANSI publications may be purchased online from the ANSI Webstore (https://ansi.org/).

1.2 SUBMITTALS

A. The Contractor shall submit a Site-specific Construction Safety and Health Plan (CSHP) to GSA, at least 7 days prior to the pre-construction meeting. The CSHP shall be accepted by GSA prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

Site-specific CSHP as defined below:

The Site-specific CSHP is a written document that describes the process for identifying the physical and health hazards that could harm workers, procedures to reduce these hazards and prevent accidents, and steps to take when accidents occur. The written CSHP is the Contractor's blueprint for keeping their workers, our employees, tenants, and the public safe.

The CSHP shall be a site-specific document, not a generic shelf plan, that is adapted to the specific safety and contractual needs of the project. The larger and more complex the project, the larger and more complex the safety plan. Every task in a project should be reviewed to identify known hazards and shall provide general guidance for those hazards that are unexpected or unpredictable and how those will be mitigated. These shall be in the form of a job hazard analysis and shall include job steps, potential occupational hazards, and the action/procedure to control, minimize or eliminate the potential hazards and risks, as well as any additional information that serves to increase the safety and health of workers performing the specific job. Plans shall address the following conditions or hazards and are not limited to:

1. The Contractor shall include the project name, the project description, the project location, and which safety features of the safety and health plan will apply to this project based on scope.

2. The Contractor shall designate a site safety and health officer (SSHO), who is responsible for and has the authority to ensure this plan is adhered to throughout the project, along with applicable safety & health regulations and this specification section. The SSHO shall have a minimum of a valid OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety card received within the last five years. The designated SSHO will be listed in the safety and health plan, along with a contact number. SSHO shall be full-time for the duration of the project.

3. The Contractor shall also establish and list in the safety and health plan any required competent person and/or designated person when required by OSHA regulations for fall protection, demolition, lock-out/tag-out, ladders, and scaffolds, as well as the following work:

a. Silica work exposure plan competent person

b. Excavation and trenching competent person

4. The CSHP shall include those controls and accident prevention procedures to address each of the following as required based on the site-specific scope of the project:

a. Personal Protective Equipment (hard hats, shoes, glasses, earplugs, respirators, etc.)

b. Safeguarding of powered tools and equipment

c. Equipment Guarding

d. Dust and odor control

e. PCB abatement controls

f. Silica Work Exposure plans

g. Hazard Communication Plans and working with chemicals

h. Spill Response procedures

i. Emergency and first-aid procedures

j. Hazardous waste cleanup and disposal safeguards

k. Excavation and trenching safeguards

l. Occupational Noise Exposure

m. Hot Work permitting procedure (e.g., welding, brazing, etc.)

NOTE: The above are safety and health issues commonly encountered during construction work but are not a comprehensive list of all potential project risks.

5. The plan shall include the Contractor’s reporting procedures in the event of an accident and a call-down tree containing contact information for all project staff.

6. The Contractor shall provide to the Contracting Officer or their representative GSA, local, city, and/or state permits for the following as applicable: asbestos abatement, lead abatement, PCB abatement, hazardous waste cleanup, and disposal.

7. The Contractor shall provide the CO and the GSA property manager’s office with a list of chemical products and/or hazardous materials expected to be used on the project site. The list shall include the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each product and shall be a part of the Contractor's Hazard Communication Plan (HCP). The Contractor shall review and update the product list at a regular interval for the duration of the project.

The Contractor's Hazard Communication Plan (HCP) with the accompanying Chemical product list and/or hazardous materials shall be submitted to GSA with the CHSP.

The HCP shall describe the proper use, quantities, location, safety, SDS, storage, security, and access of all chemical products and/or hazardous chemicals. The HCP shall be accessible to all subcontractors and other 3rd parties on the project site.

The Hazard Communication Plan shall clearly and concisely describe the methods used to provide all on-site personnel access to their on-site SDSs, and how they will inform the other employer(s) of any precautionary measures that they need to consider.

1.3 SAFETY MEETING

A. Pre-Construction Meeting: The General Contractor and Subcontractors shall meet with the GSA project team CO, PM, SMEs as required and other GSA representatives as appropriate after the Contract Award and before the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The meeting shall cover:

1. The Contractors’ site-specific CSHP, SDS list, HCP and other related Health and Safety information.

2. Specific safety and health features for the project are intended to protect the safety of employees, Government representatives, and others while on-site throughout the project.

3. The Contractors shall resolve any questions or concerns raised in a manner satisfactory to the GSA representatives.

B. Ongoing Meeting: The general contractor and subcontractors shall conduct regular safety meetings with the GSA project manager and other GSA representatives. Weekly meetings throughout the duration are typical for most projects. Safety Meetings shall be held monthly. The Contractor shall review and update the CSHP, SDS list, HCP and other related Health and Safety information and distribute to project stakeholders on an on-going basis. The Contractor shall submit revisions to GSA for review prior to distribution.

C. The Contractor shall prepare meeting minutes for each meeting and upload them into PMIS. The Contractor’s project manager, safety officer, project superintendent, and any other supervisors shall be required to attend these meetings with the Government and its designated on-site representatives.

1.4 SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

A. Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall assume full responsibility and liability for compliance with applicable codes, standards and regulations about the health and safety of personnel during execution of the Work and shall hold the Government harmless for any action on the Contractor's part, or that of the Contractor's employees or Subcontractors, that results in illness, injury or death.

B. Site Safety and Health Officer: A trained and experienced individual shall be delegated in writing as the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO). The SSHO shall have a minimum of a valid OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety card received within the last five years. Projects over $10 million require a full-time on-site SSHO. The SSHO shall be responsible for the development, implementation, oversight, and enforcement of the Contractor’s Accident Prevention Plan (APP) on-site, which shall address all activities for which the Contractor is responsible. The Contractor may appoint as many individuals as he or she deems appropriate to accomplish the provisions of this section. The SSHO shall typically remain on-site full-time during activities conducted under this contract. The SSHO may be an individual with other responsibilities, already identified to be on-site and who has the authority and appropriate knowledge to oversee and act on the provisions of this section.

C. The Contractor shall provide for site visitors Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per OSHA for use during their visits. Provide a minimum of 10 sets with replacements for items not suitable for reuse.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

A. Special facilities, devices, equipment, and similar items used by the Contractor in the execution of the Work shall comply with the applicable regulations.

PART 3 EXECUTION

The Contractor shall assume full responsibility and liability for compliance with applicable codes, standards and regulations pertaining to the health and safety of personnel during the execution of the project and shall hold the Government harmless for any action on the Contractor’s part, or that of the Contractor’s employees or Subcontractors, that results in illness, injury or death. The Contractor is also responsible for the safety of GSA staff, FOB employees, regulators, Federal agency officials, and any other visitors while present on the construction site.

3.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND CONDITIONS

A. The Contractor shall advise GSA of any hazardous material and/or hazardous conditions encountered during the execution of the work. GSA shall determine if the Contractor must perform additional tests and if the work for the particular material or condition shall cease, at the direction of the Contracting Officer. Work shall recommence at the direction of GSA. The SSHO shall take measures to protect all personnel on-site until GSA has rendered its decision.

3.2 EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF WORK

A. If any employees of the Contractor or Subcontractor observe any unsafe act or hazard which could jeopardize their personal safety or the safety of others, that employee must take steps to resolve the issue, including notifying the supervisor/foreman of the hazard. The supervisor/foreman has the ability to ensure the hazardous condition is corrected, prevent exposure to the hazard, and/or stop the work until that hazardous condition is corrected. Unsafe acts and or hazards that cannot be immediately corrected in these manners will be brought to the attention of the GSA project manager and GSA project contracting officer.

B. When the Contractor is notified by GSA of non-compliance with the safety or health provisions of the contract, the Contractor shall immediately cease work in the subject area unless otherwise instructed by the Contracting Officer or their representative and correct the unsafe or unhealthy condition.

1. If the Contractor fails to comply promptly, all or part of the work will be stopped by notice from the GSA contracting officer or their representative.

2. When GSA determines that satisfactory corrective action has been taken by the Contractor, work shall resume.

3. The Contractor shall not be allowed any extension of time or compensation for damages in connection with a work stoppage for an unsafe or unhealthy condition.

3.3 PROTECTION OF PERSONNEL

A. The Contractor shall take necessary precautions to prevent injury to the public, occupants, and project staff on the site or in close proximity to be affected by the project. The public and occupants include all persons not employed by the Contractor or a Subcontractor.

B. The work area shall be isolated from unauthorized entry through the use of signage, barrier tape, fences, barricades, or similar means. Control by authorized personnel shall be done where passage through is necessary for the work.

1. Provide traffic barricades and traffic control signage where construction activities occur in vehicular areas.

2. Corridors, aisles, stairways, doors, and exit ways shall not be obstructed or used in a manner to encroach upon routes of ingress or egress utilized by the public or occupants or to present an unsafe or unhealthy condition to the public or occupants.

3. Store, position, and use equipment, tools, and materials, in a manner that does not present a hazard to the public or occupants.

4. Store and transport refuse and debris in a manner to prevent unsafe and unhealthy conditions for the public and occupants. Cover refuse containers and remove refuse on a frequent regular basis acceptable to GSA. Use tarpaulins or other means to prevent loose transported materials from dropping from trucks.

3.4 EMERGENCIES AND FIRST AID

A. The Contractor shall provide for use on-site: emergency first aid equipment, an ABC-Rated Fire Extinguishers per NFPA 10 and NFPA 241, and absorbent material of sufficient quantity to collect any spill which might occur. The Contractor shall also maintain and post on-site a list of emergency phone numbers and points of contact for fire, hospital, police, and ambulance. All corrosive chemicals used that require a 15-minute eye flush as listed in the first aid section of the Safety Data Sheet require the contractor to bring a portable ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 rated eyewash on site if one is not available.

B. The Contractor shall submit an electronic copy of each accident report to the GSA project manager that the Contractor or Subcontractors submits to their insurance carriers, within seven calendar days after the date of the accident. Any accident or occupational illness that requires reporting to OSHA must be reported to GSA within 48 hours following the incident. The Contractor will complete the GSA Form 3620 (include a copy of this form as part of the submittal). In addition, if the Contractor causes any damage to GSA property this information must also be recorded on the 3620. The Contractor is responsible for reporting to OSHA all recordable injuries or illnesses of their employees within all required timeframes and methods, including those that result in hospitalization, amputation, death, or loss of an eye.

3.5 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

A. In addition to the unique provisions required for environmental remediation work (asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, hazardous waste), the Contractor shall dispose of any other contaminant waste per EPA, state, and local requirements.

B. The Contractor shall comply with applicable laws and ordinances regarding noise control, including but not limited to 29 CFR 1910.95 and 29 CFR 1926.52.

3.6 WATER INTRUSION AND MOLD REMEDIATION

A. Should any project-related incident result in water damage to building materials, it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to bring such information to the attention of the Contracting Officer, both verbally and in writing, as quickly as possible for resolution.

B. The Contractor shall immediately respond using a professional company that is trained in water remediation that has the knowledge, equipment, and resources to employ industry-related standard practices following ANSI/IICRC S500 Professional Water Damage Restoration & S520 Professional Mold Remediation along with EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Facilities.

C. After each event, a separate visual inspection and non-invasive assessment of the space must take place and the results provided to the Contracting Officer along with a detailed action plan to address the issues within 24 hours of the incident.

D. Mold remediation that is required as a result of the Contractor not fully addressing the situation promptly will be the financial responsibility of the Contractor. Remediation shall be completed by a qualified mold remediation contractor using industry-standard practices following ANSI/IICRC S500 Professional Water Damage Restoration & S520 Professional Mold Remediation along with EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Facilities. This work is required to be monitored and clearance provided by an independent third-party consultant at no cost to the government.

END OF SECTION 01 59 50

June 17, 2025 01 59 50 Safety and Health - Page 2 of 2