ASSP Releases New Safety Training Standard for Construction and Demolition Sites
This voluntary consensus standard outlines best practices for hazard communication, regulatory compliance, and training evaluation.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Feb 20, 2025
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has introduced a new national voluntary consensus standard aimed at improving safety training on construction and demolition sites, two of the most hazardous work environments in the industry.
The newly published ANSI/ASSP A10.2-2025 standard, titled Safety, Health and Environmental Training for Construction and Demolition Operations, establishes best practices designed to help organizations mitigate risks that lead to injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
“Uniform practices for training construction personnel can create much safer jobsites,” said Gary Gustafson, chair of the A10.2 subcommittee. “A key element of that training is communicating hazards and hazard controls with workers for each task.”
The standard outlines training requirements for new hires, site procedures, regulatory compliance, pre-job briefings, supervisor leadership, and retraining. It also highlights the importance of training evaluations, documentation, and record-keeping as essential components of workplace safety programs.
“Project constructors must ensure that all site personnel recognize hazardous conditions and safe work practices related to their assigned job activities before work commences,” Gustafson said. “This standard creates the foundation for that training.”
According to ASSP, prioritizing worker safety helps organizations avoid the economic and reputational consequences of workplace incidents, including medical expenses, equipment repairs, liability claims, lost productivity, and environmental damage.
Voluntary consensus standards like the A10.2-2025 play a key role in addressing gaps left by federal regulations, which can be slow to adapt. Companies leverage these standards to enhance safety protocols, prevent injuries, and promote sustainability.
“We are a leading developer of workplace consensus standards that reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities,” said ASSP President Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP. “Our committees provide technical expertise that ensures our standards reflect the latest industry advancements and best safety practices.”
In its last fiscal year, ASSP developed, reaffirmed, or revised 15 safety standards, technical reports, and guidance documents with input from 1,400 safety professionals representing 500 organizations. The organization and its partners distributed nearly 25,000 copies of safety standards during that period.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.