Contents
18.1 Objective
18.2 Scope of Application
18.3 Responsibilities
18.4 Risk Management Program (PGR)
18.5 Living Facilities
18.6 Electrical Installations
18.7 Construction Work Stages
18.8 Stairs, Ramps and Walkways
18.9 Fall Protection Measures
18.10 Machinery, Equipment and Tools
18.11 Material and Personnel Transportation (Lifts)
18.12 Scaffolds and Working Platforms
18.13 Safety Signage
18.14 Training
18.15 Floating Structure Operations
18.16 General Provisions
18.17 Transitional Provisions
Annex I Training Hours, Frequency and Syllabus
Annex II Steel Wire Ropes and Synthetic Fiber Ropes
Glossary
18.1 Objective
18.1.1 This Regulatory Standard aims to establish administrative, planning and organizational guidelines to implement safety control measures and preventive systems for construction working processes, working conditions and working environment.
18.2 Scope of Application
18.2.1 This standard applies to construction activities classified under Section F of the National Classification of Economic Activities, as well as demolition, repair, painting, cleaning, general building maintenance and urban infrastructure maintenance services.
18.3 Responsibilities
18.3.1 The construction entity shall:
a) Prohibit workers from entering or staying on construction sites without safety protection measures specified in this standard;
b) Submit prior construction notification via the digital system of the Labor Inspection Subsecretariat in accordance with current laws before commencement.
18.4 Risk Management Program (PGR)
18.4.1 It is mandatory to formulate and implement PGR on construction sites, covering occupational risks and corresponding preventive measures.
18.4.2 PGR shall be drafted by legally qualified occupational safety professionals and implemented under the responsibility of the construction party.
18.4.2.1 For construction sites with height within 7 meters and no more than 10 workers, PGR may be compiled by professionally qualified safety personnel, with the construction party taking overall implementation responsibility.
18.4.3 In addition to complying with requirements of NR-01, the PGR shall include the following documents:
a) Site living area and working front layout design complying with item 18.5, drafted by licensed professionals;
b) Temporary electrical installation design prepared by licensed professionals;
c) Collective protection system designs formulated by licensed professionals;
d) Personal fall protection system designs where applicable, compiled by licensed professionals;
e) List and technical specifications of personal protective equipment matching on-site occupational risks.
18.4.3.1 The PGR shall be updated in accordance with the construction progress stage.
18.4.4 Subcontractors shall provide the principal with the specific occupational risk inventory of their own work, which shall be incorporated into the site PGR.
18.4.5 All working fronts shall be taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the PGR.
18.4.6 Registered construction enterprises under CONFEA/CREA system, under the charge of licensed occupational safety professionals, may adopt alternative solutions instead of the collective protection measures specified in this standard, as well as new working techniques, equipment, technologies and devices on the premise of meeting relevant requirements, which shall:
a) Achieve technological progress in workers' safety, hygiene and health protection;
b) Promote the implementation of safety control measures and preventive safety systems in construction working processes, conditions and environments;
c) Ensure all construction tasks are carried out safely and healthily.
18.4.6.1 Works adopting alternative solutions shall be clearly specified in occupational safety procedures, including:
a) Occupational risks workers may be exposed to;
b) Specifications of adopted equipment and collective protection measures;
c) Classification and allocation of required personal protective equipment;
d) Usage rules and operating procedures of collective and personal protective equipment by construction phases;
e) On-site preventive measures and other requirements formulated by licensed safety practitioners.
18.4.6.2 Works with alternative solutions can only start after special approval, prior risk analysis and work permit issuance, covering training plans, operating rules, materials, tools and all safety guarantee conditions.
18.4.6.3 All documents concerning alternative protection solutions shall be incorporated into on-site PGR, kept available at workplace together with calculation sheets, technical specifications and working procedures.
18.5 Living Facilities
18.5.1 Living areas shall be designed to provide workers with minimum safety, comfort and privacy conditions, and kept well-maintained, hygienic and clean, equipped with:
a) Sanitary facilities;
b) Changing rooms;
c) Dining area;
d) Dormitories if on-site accommodation is required.
18.5.2 All living facilities shall comply with applicable provisions of NR-24.
18.5.3 Sanitary facilities allocation standard: one set of washbasin, siphon toilet with seat and cover, urinal for every 20 workers or part thereof; one shower room for every 10 workers or part thereof.
18.5.4 On-site or off-site dormitories shall be built when necessary, equipped with:
a) Kitchen if meals are prepared on site;
b) Dining place;
c) Sanitary facilities;
d) Laundry room with clothes cleaning and ironing equipment;
e) Recreation area for resident workers, and dining area can be used for this purpose.
18.5.5 The maximum walking distance from working posts to the nearest sanitary facility shall not exceed 150 meters.
18.5.6 Potable, filtered and fresh drinking water shall be provided for workers at construction sites, working fronts and dormitories via water dispensers or equivalent facilities, one unit for every 25 workers or part thereof. Shared drinking cups are prohibited.
18.5.6.1 The horizontal distance from workplace to water supply shall not exceed 100 meters, and vertical distance shall not exceed 15 meters.
18.5.6.2 If fixed water supply facilities cannot be arranged within the above range, the employer shall supply qualified drinking water by sealed portable containers at working positions.
18.5.7 Working fronts shall be equipped with:
a) Sanitary facilities including seated siphon toilets with covers and wash basins for every 20 workers or part thereof. Chemical portable toilets with waste isolation, ventilation, hand cleaning supplies are acceptable. Shared towels are forbidden, and daily disinfection is mandatory.
b) Dining areas with basic hygiene, comfort and weatherproof protection.
18.5.7.1 Compliance can be achieved by signing formal agreements with nearby qualified premises, ensuring safety, hygiene and comfort, and arranging staff transportation when needed.
NR-18 - Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry
