OVERVIEW

Safety should be a primary concern on the job. Anyone who has worked large jobs knows that OSHA regulations are numerous and that fines for violating the rules can be substantial. Some people don't like the rules, but they are designed to protect workers. Yet, you will find few such regulations on small, residential jobs. Does this mean that you are less likely to be injured on a residential job? I suppose you could say it is a numbers game, but believe me, you can get hurt building a house as quickly as you can building a skyscraper (Figure 16.1).

Think about the jobs that you have worked on recently. How many single-family home job sites even have a portable toilet on the site? Do you remember seeing hard hats being worn on the job? I doubt it. How long has it been since you have seen a long electrical extension cord wrapped with duct tape as a substitution for cut insulation on the cord? I would guess that this image is fresh in your mind. Let's face it, small residential jobs are not seriously regulated for safety procedures. Will a roll of 15 pound roofing felt coming off the roof of a two-story house and hitting your bare head hurt you any...