How do you know if OSHA construction or general industry standard(s) apply to your organization? OSHA has developed several industry-specific safety standards that are considered laws, under the US Department of Labor. Construction standard 1926 applies to work for construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating. Sometimes it is difficult to know.Several OSHA interpretations have further defined that larger scale repair or alteration work is under construction, when it significantly alters the system or structure. For instance, if a large pipe valve is integral to a large machine and replacing it, although scheduled, involves altering much of the equipment, that work is considered construction and therefore under the construction standard. In contrast, replacing a small domestic water valve in a home heating system that is done without making major alterations to the heating system would be maintenance, and therefore falls under the general industry standard.Many construction companies maintain their own a small vehicle maintenance shop and/or a fabrication shop. Operations in these shops generally refer under the general industry standard. Also, there are some general industry regulations that apply to construction sites, like for Powered Industrial Truck operator training (1926.602 references 1910.178(l) and Commercial Diving operations (1926.605(e) references 1910.104-1910.441).If you need further clarification, please call us at (774) 302-4305 and we’d be happy to help.Image courtesy of Radnett Freedigitalphotos.net