Safety, Building Codes, and Georgia Regulatory Requirements
OSHA
Fall protection is triggered at 6 feet in construction. Guardrails, personal fall arrest, and controlled access zones are the standard options. Scaffolds must be erected, inspected, and used per the manufacturer. Excavations 5 feet deep or more require a protective system, a competent person inspecting daily, and ladder access within 25 feet of lateral travel. Stairways with four or more risers need a handrail. PPE, hazard communication, and rigging rules round out the field obligations.
Model codes
IBC governs commercial construction and IRC governs one- and two-family dwellings. Georgia adopts these through the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes, along with the electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and energy codes, subject to state amendments. Know occupancy classification, types of construction, means of egress, and inspection milestones.
Georgia specifics
The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors licenses general contractors, generally for projects of $150,000 or more, plus residential-basic and residential light commercial tiers. Georgia 811 must be notified before excavation. The Georgia EPD administers NPDES construction stormwater permits, which require a notice of intent, best management practices, and inspections after rain. Lien, prompt-payment, and workers' compensation rules are also fair game.
Traps
Mixing OSHA and building code thresholds; applying the IRC to commercial work; digging before a locate ticket; and skipping post-rain stormwater inspections.
Rule of thumb: memorize the numbers - 6 feet for fall protection, 5 feet for trench protection, 4 risers for stair rails.