1. Jobsite Visit Reflection
Andrew S. Barbina
CSM 600 – Construction Safety and Health
Spring ’12 TTH 3:30-4:48
Mentor: Greg Adams (Lang Masonry)
Job-Site: Downtown Hilton Hotel

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On May 22, 2012 I was able to attend a job-site visit to the construction of the Hilton
Hotel located in downtown Columbus, Ohio with Lang Masonries Safety Coordinator. This new
hotel, which will portray a modern look with both the façade and technology associated with its
procedures, is anticipated to receive awards of both Leed and Green Seal Certification. The
project, being situated in a high traffic on the “main drag” of the downtown area, requires
special safety precautions so as not to distort both the community that is acting around it, but
also the workers that are involved constantly in an ever growing environment.
Upon arrival to the job-site, I was briefed of the things I may see, as well as the aspects
of the project that I should keep a keen eye open to. Lang Masonries Safety Coordinator, Greg
Adams was the lead tour guide and was very thorough of potential safety hazards sights to
watch out for. With Mr. Adams’ company being the main masonry sub-contractor, and the
Hilton wanting a modern façade, I was able to see some key aspects of the project as well as
the little details from behind the scenes that are true safety hazards that OSHA would create
fines for.
The most common OSHA standard violations that I was able to witness, involved
electrical hazards and general housekeeping. With a strong background on electrical hazards
previously taught in earlier CSM courses, as well as CSM 600, I was able to distinguish right
away what was and was not acceptable in terms of safety. The most common electrical hazards
were loosed extension cords lying on the floor of the job-site, as well as uncovered light fixtures

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that were hanging from the ceiling. Flexible extension cords are easily damaged on job-sites as
they do not have durability to withstand vigorous activities that can occur on or around them as
well as a constant hazard of liquid and loose connections. OSHA subpart K which involves
electrical standards states in regulation [1926.405(2)(g)(1)(iii)[B]] that flexible cords and cables
(extension cords) are prohibited “Where run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors.”
Uncovered light fixtures are required to both be equipped with a guard that is attached to
either the lamp holder or the handle as stated in regulation [1926.405(j)(1)(iii)(c)].
The final sizeable safety hazards that I witnessed were general housekeeping flaws and
mishandling of combustible containers containing oxygen and acetylene. Housekeeping flaws
consisted of lack of organization of materials and general trash. Regulation [1926.25(c)] states
that containers should be provided to collect trash and unused construction materials. The
combustible containers that were witnessed were placed in a tank transport cart, but were
unsecured which creates a tremendous risk for an explosion or leaking tanks that can
sporadically accelerate out of control.
While many of these violations may seem simple, miniscule hazards that are often overlooked, they are hazards that absolutely have to be compensated for. Workers need to be
properly trained on what is and isn’t correct in the work place as well as what can actually come
about from these violations. Many may say that this can never happen to me, but on a job-site
where many lives are at risk as well as the scale of the project, hazards simply cannot be overlooked.