Construction Employee Handbook Template

Construction is one of the most hazardous industries, with strict OSHA regulations and significant liability exposure. A construction employee handbook is essential for documenting safety procedures, ensuring compliance, and protecting both your workers and your business.

This guide covers everything you need to include in a construction-specific handbook, plus a free template to get you started.

Why construction companies need a specialized handbook

Generic employee handbooks don't address the unique hazards and regulations of construction. The industry has specific requirements that standard templates miss:

• OSHA compliance — Written safety programs, hazard communication, recordkeeping requirements
• Fall protection — The leading cause of construction deaths requires detailed documentation
• PPE requirements — Site-specific and task-specific protective equipment policies
• Multi-employer worksites — Coordination with general contractors and other trades
• Equipment operation — Heavy equipment, power tools, and specialized machinery
• Drug and alcohol policies — Safety-sensitive positions require clear policies

A construction-specific handbook addresses all of these while helping you avoid OSHA citations and workers' compensation claims.

Download the template

Get started with our free employee handbook template. It includes all the standard sections, which you can customize with construction-specific policies.

This is our general template. Add the construction-specific sections outlined below to make it complete for your company. Need help? See our step-by-step handbook guide. Also check out our other trades templates: electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.

Key sections for construction handbooks

Beyond standard handbook content, construction companies need these specialized sections:

OSHA safety policies to include

OSHA compliance is non-negotiable in construction. Your handbook must document:

Written safety program

• Company safety policy statement
• Safety responsibilities (management, supervisors, workers)
• Hazard identification and assessment procedures
• Safety meeting and toolbox talk requirements
• Incident investigation procedures

Hazard communication (HazCom)

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) access and location
• Container labeling requirements (GHS)
• Employee right-to-know training
• Chemical inventory maintenance

Training requirements

• OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour certification requirements
• Task-specific training (scaffolding, excavation, equipment)
• Refresher training frequency
• Training documentation and recordkeeping

Fall protection policies

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. Comprehensive fall protection documentation is critical:

The 6-foot rule

• Fall protection required at 6 feet or more in construction
• Lower heights for specific tasks (scaffolding erection, steel erection)
• 100% tie-off requirements and when they apply

Fall protection systems

• Guardrail systems — specifications and inspection requirements
• Safety net systems — installation and use criteria
• Personal fall arrest systems — harnesses, lanyards, anchors
• Positioning device systems
• Warning line systems

Ladder safety

• Ladder selection (duty rating, height requirements)
• Three-point contact rule
• Setup requirements (4:1 ratio, securing at top)
• Inspection procedures before each use
• Damaged ladder removal from service

PPE requirements

Personal protective equipment policies should be clear and enforceable:

Minimum site requirements

• Hard hats — Required at all times on active construction sites
• Safety glasses — Required for all tasks; side shields for debris hazards
• High-visibility clothing — Required in traffic areas or as site-specific rule
• Safety footwear — Steel or composite toe, ASTM-rated
• Work gloves — Task-appropriate (leather for handling materials, cut-resistant for sharp objects)

Task-specific PPE

• Hearing protection — Required when noise exceeds 85 dB (power tools, heavy equipment)
• Respiratory protection — Dust masks, respirators based on hazard assessment
• Face shields — Grinding, cutting, welding operations
• Fall protection — Harnesses, lanyards at heights above 6 feet
• Welding PPE — Welding helmets, leather aprons, welding gloves

PPE program requirements

• Company-provided vs. employee-provided equipment
• Inspection and replacement procedures
• Proper care and storage
• Consequences for PPE violations

Template vs. digital handbook

Construction workers move between jobsites and need quick access to safety procedures. Consider whether a digital solution better serves your needs:

Frequently asked questions

What should be in a construction employee handbook?

A construction handbook should include OSHA safety requirements, PPE policies, fall protection procedures, hazard communication, tool and equipment policies, jobsite conduct rules, drug and alcohol policies, and emergency procedures. It should also cover industry-specific topics like scaffolding, trenching, and electrical safety.

Is a safety handbook required for construction companies?

OSHA requires construction employers to have a written safety program and to communicate hazards to employees. While a full employee handbook isn't legally mandated, having documented safety policies is essential for OSHA compliance and can significantly reduce your liability exposure.

What OSHA training must be documented in a construction handbook?

Your handbook should reference required OSHA training including OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour certification, hazard communication, fall protection, scaffolding competent person training, excavation and trenching safety, and equipment-specific training for forklifts, aerial lifts, and power tools.

How do I handle subcontractors in my handbook?

Your handbook should address multi-employer worksite responsibilities. Document that subcontractors must follow your site safety rules, how safety violations by subs are handled, and communication procedures between trades. Consider requiring subs to acknowledge your safety policies before starting work.

How do I get workers to acknowledge the handbook?

Have each employee sign an acknowledgement form confirming they've received and read the handbook. For construction, require separate acknowledgment of safety policies specifically — this documentation is critical if OSHA investigates an incident or if you face a workers' compensation claim.