The lumber and building material dealer industry provides goods and services to home building and professional contractors. General safety and health issues exist in the industry including recordkeeping, ergonomic stress, warehousing, powered industrial truck safety and machine guarding.

This page was developed as a product of OSHA's former Alliance with the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA).

The lumber and building material dealer industry is not addressed in specific standards.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to the lumber and building material dealer industry.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Frequently Cited Standards

The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal OSHA during October 2011 through September 2012, in Lumber and Other Building Materials Dealers Industry Group (SIC code 5211).

• 1910.305, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
  
  
• 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.303, General requirements (Electrical) [related topic page]
  


• 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
  


• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
  


• 1910.22, General requirements (Walking/working surfaces)
  
  
• 1910.176, Handling materials - general
  
  
• 1910.213, Woodworking machinery requirements [related topic page]
  
  
• 1904.29, Forms [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes [related topic page]
  
  

Other Highlighted Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)


• 1910 Subpart E, Exit routes, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans
  • 1910.38, Emergency action plans [related topic page]
  • 1910.39, Fire prevention plans [related topic page]
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart G, Occupational health and environment control
  • 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure [related topic page]
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart N, Materials handling and storage
  • 1910.176, Handling materials - general
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1000, Air contaminants
    • Table Z-1, Limits for air contaminants
    • Table Z-2
    • Table Z-3, Mineral dusts
  • 1910.1201, Retention of DOT markings, placards and labels

Highlighted Standards for Delivery to Construction Sites

The following are highlighted OSHA construction standards that may apply to delivery of materials to construction sites.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)


• 1910 Subpart B, Adoption and extension of established federal standards
  • 1910.12, Construction work
    • 1910.12(c), Construction Safety Act distinguished
      
    
    
Construction (29 CFR 1926)


• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.61, Retention of DOT markings, placards and labels
    
  
  
• 1926 Subpart G, Signs, signals, and barricades [related topic page]
  • 1926.201, Signaling
  • 1926.202, Barricades
    
  
  
• 1926 Subpart H, Materials handling, storage, use, and disposal
  • 1926.251, Rigging equipment for material handling
    
  
  
• 1926 Subpart N, Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators, and conveyors [related topic page]
  


• 1926 Subpart O, Motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, and marine operations

Directives

• Compliance Assistance for the Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Standards. CPL 02-01-028 [CPL 2-1.28A], (2000, November 30). Provides compliance assistance to ensure uniform enforcement of the revised powered industrial truck operator training standards.
  


• Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

• OSHA's hazard communication requirements for the wood products you sell. (1994, December 5). Addresses material safety data sheet (MSDS) requirements and exemptions for wood products.
  


• Interpretation for treated wood products in regards to paragraphs (f)(2)(i)-(iii) of the HCS. (1994, November 17). Discusses treated wood products in regard to paragraphs (f)(2)(i)-(iii) of the hazard communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.
  


• Search all available standard interpretations.

Hazards and Solutions

The following is a list of references regarding hazards and possible solutions common to lumber and building material dealer industries.

Receiving

Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)

Lumber and building material dealers are often involved in the delivery of products to construction sites which may include unloading materials using a forklift. Therefore, it is important for these operators to receive training on the safe operation of forklifts at construction sites.

• Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB 03-09-30), (2003, September 30). Informs employers that youth employment regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit most employees under age 18 from operating forklifts for non-agricultural operations and reminds employers that all forklift operators must be trained and certified.
  


• Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-109, (2001, June).
  


• Powered Industrial Trucks. OSHA Training and Reference materials.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks Safety and Health Topics Page.

Stocking

Manual Lifting/Material Handling

• Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores - Stocking. OSHA Publication 3192-06N, (2004). Identifies many of the hazards and solutions that apply to the lumber and building material dealer industry, although it was developed for grocery stores.
  


• Grocery Warehousing - Ergonomics. OSHA eTool. Although developed for grocery warehousing, many of the hazards and solutions apply to the lumber and building material dealer industry.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hazardous Materials

• Hazardous and Toxic Substances. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Customer Assistance (including cutting to size)

Machine Guarding

• Machine Guarding. OSHA eTool. Focuses on recognizing and controlling common amputation hazards associated with the operation and use of certain types of machines.
  


• Certificate in OSHA Compliance: Machine Guarding. National Safety Council (NSC). Covers each section of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart O, Machinery and Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.211 - 1910.219) in detail; reviews basic concepts, principles and methods of machine guarding, common causes of machine incidents and how to avoid them.
  


• Amputations [153 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002). Covers what, where, and how to avoid amputations.
  


• Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations. Also available as a 578 KB PDF, 60 pages. OSHA Publication 3170-02R, (2007). Helps the small business employer identify and manage common amputation hazards associated with operating and using stationary equipment.
  


• A Guide for Protecting Workers from Woodworking Hazards. OSHA Publication 3157, (1999). Also available as a 543 KB PDF, 74 pages.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Machine Guarding Safety and Health Topics Page.

• Lockout/Tagout Interactive Training Program. OSHA. Includes a tutorial explaining the Lockout/Tagout standard in a question and answer format, a list of Hot Topics discussing major issues related to the standard, and seven interactive case studies.
  


• Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical, and Other Types of Hazardous Energy. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-110, (1999, July).
  


• Certificate in OSHA Compliance: Lockout/Tagout. National Safety Council (NSC). Establishes the purpose for lockout/tagout, identifies the key components of an energy control program, and identifies the six main elements that should be contained in lockout/tagout procedures.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hazard Communication

• Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance. Also available as a 112 KB PDF, 33 pages. OSHA Publication 3111, (Reprinted 2000). Addresses the issues of evaluating and communicating chemical hazard information to workers.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Hazard Communication
  • Wood Dust

Checkout

Ergonomic Stress

• Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors: A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-141, (1997, July). Provides a comprehensive compilation and review of epidemiologic research on the relation between work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back and exposure to physical factors at work, and includes a bibliography and tables summarizing the literature.
  


• Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores - Front End. OSHA Publication 3192-06N, (2004). Identifies many of the hazards and solutions that apply to the lumber and building material dealer industry, although it was developed for grocery stores.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Workplace Violence

• Workplace Violence. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Outdoor Activities

Slips and Falls

• Certificate in OSHA Compliance: Walking-Working Surfaces. National Safety Council (NSC). Covers OSHA's Walking-Working Surfaces regulation 29 CFR Subpart D (29 CFR 1910.21 - 1910.30), key terminology and concepts, letters of interpretation, the consequences of poor housekeeping, and more.
  


• Professional Landcare Network Safety Tip Sheet No. 1: Slip and Trip Injuries [59 KB PDF^*, 1 page]. OSHA-Professional Landcare Network Alliance. A 92 KB PDF^* (Spanish version) is also available. Safety tip sheet on slip and trip injuries. Provides safety tips on slip & trip injuries.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Walking/Working Surfaces Safety and Health Topics Page.

Motor Vehicles

• Motor Vehicle Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Other Resources

• Lyme Disease Facts [38 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA.
  


• Personal Protective Equipment [52 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet. A 287 KB PDF^* (Spanish version) is also available, (2006, April).
  


• The Cold Stress Equation. OSHA Publication 3156, (1998). A Spanish version is also available.
  


• Protecting Workers from Heat Stress QuickCard [2 MB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Publication 3154-09-11R.
  
  
• Occupational Heat Exposure. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  

Storewide

Electrical

• Electrical. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Fire Safety

• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Certificate in OSHA Compliance: Personal Protective Equipment. National Safety Council (NSC). Covers the relationship between PPE, how to conduct a PPE Hazard Assessment and Certification Statement, various types of PPE and how to use them, and more.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Evacuation Plans and Procedures

• Evacuation Plans and Procedures. OSHA eTool. Helps small, low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action plan, and comply with OSHA's emergency standards.
  


• Certificate in OSHA Compliance: Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans. National Safety Council (NSC). Helps participants understand key elements of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E, Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans & Fire Prevention Plans (1910.33 - 1910.39).

First Aid

• Emergency Care Professionals. National Safety Council (NSC). Provides programs for training employees on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in lifesaving procedures. The Standard First Aid and CPR course meets the OSHA requirements.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Medical and First Aid Safety and Health Topics Page.

Recordkeeping

• Frequently Asked Questions for OSHA's Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Rule. OSHA, (2001, November 1). Provides general guidance about OSHA's revised recordkeeping rule and provides links to more detailed guidance.
  


• Recordkeeping - It's new, it's improved, and it's easier... OSHA Publication 3169, (2001). Also available as a 2 MB PDF, 7 pages. Reviews the changes made in the recordkeeping rule (as of 2001).
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Injury and Illness: Recordkeeping Safety and Health Topics Page.

Safety Programs

The implementation of a comprehensive safety and health program is an important tool for creating both a safe and a profitable workplace. The following references were selected to assist in developing a safety and health program for the lumber and building material dealer industry.

General Resources

• Job Hazard Analysis. OSHA Publication 3071, (Revised 2002). Also available as a 498 KB PDF, 51 pages. Explains what a job hazard analysis is and offers guidelines to help employers conduct their own step-by-step analysis.
  


• Safety and Health Management Systems. OSHA eTool. Identifies four crucial questions you should be asking when it comes to safety and health programs. The detailed answers are found in the four modules of this eTool.
  • OSHA Sample Safety and Health Program for Small Business. Included in the OSHA Safety and Health Management Systems eTool.
    
  
  
• $afety Pays Program. OSHA. Assists employers in estimating the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses and the impact on a company's profitability.
  


• Safety and Health Management Program Guidelines; Issuance of Voluntary Guidelines. OSHA Federal Register Notice 54:3904-3916, (1989, January 26). Provides safety and health program management guidelines are for use by employers to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Elements of an Effective Safety and Health Program. OSHA Slide Presentation. Summarizes safety and health program guidelines.
  


• Safety and Health Add Value. OSHA Publication 3180. Also available as a 200 KB PDF, 6 pages. Describes how safety and health add value to your business, your workplace, and your life.
  


• For additional information, see OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Safety and Health Topics Page.

Additional Information

Training

• Small Business. OSHA.
  • On-Site Consultation
    • Program Information and Benefits
      
    
    
• Training Institute Schedule Search. OSHA.

Other Resources

• Small Business Handbook. OSHA Publication 2209-02R, (2005). Also available as a 587 KB PDF, 56 pages. Helps small business employers meet the legal requirements imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and achieve an in-compliance status before an OSHA inspection.
  


• Hotlines and Clearinghouses. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman. Serves as a conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency. The Office reviews and resolves disputes with EPA and works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

^*These files are provided for downloading.