ANSI A10: Construction & Demolition Standards

The ANSI/ASSP A10 series is a family of voluntary safety standards for construction and demolition work. Many contractors, owners and insurers use them to set safety requirements that go beyond the minimum in OSHA rules. This page is a plain-language overview of what the series is and how it is used. It doesn’t replace the standards themselves.

• Construction
• Demolition
• Safety Managers

What the A10 series is

• A10 is a set of American National Standards developed by a committee of industry, labor, government and safety professionals, and published through the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process.
• Each A10 standard covers a specific topic or operation, such as scaffolding, excavation, demolition or training. Together they cover most construction and demolition activities.
• The standards are consensus standards. They are written by volunteers and revised on a regular cycle, often every five years or so. See ANSI Standards.
• Like other consensus standards, they are copyrighted and sold by ASSP and ANSI. This page describes them in general terms only.

Examples from the series

There are more in the series, and numbers and titles change as the standards are updated, so check the ASSP catalog for the current list and editions.

How A10 relates to OSHA

• OSHA’s rules are the law. OSHA’s construction standards (29 CFR 1926) are mandatory. ANSI A10 standards are not law on their own. See Construction Standards (1926).
• A10 often goes further. OSHA’s standards were written decades ago and updated slowly. A10 covers more topics, is updated more often and may set stricter or more detailed requirements, such as the heat stress and multi-employer standards.
• OSHA can refer to consensus standards. OSHA may cite an employer under the General Duty Clause for a recognized hazard and use a consensus standard as evidence of what is recognized industry practice. Some OSHA rules incorporate consensus standards directly. See Reading a Standard.
• If an A10 standard is stricter than OSHA, you can follow it and still meet OSHA. If OSHA is stricter, follow OSHA.

Who uses A10 standards

• Owners and general contractors often write them into contracts and site safety manuals, requiring subcontractors to comply.
• Insurers and safety consultants use them for risk assessments and audits.
• Safety professionals use them to write programs, training and procedures. See Safety Programs.
• Courts and arbitrators may treat them as evidence of the standard of care in injury cases.
• Training providers base courses on A10 topics, for example A10.2 for training programs. See ANSI Z490.1: Safety Training.

Pre-project and pre-task planning

A10.1 is a good example of the series’ approach. It asks owners, constructors and contractors to plan safety before the project starts and before each task: identify hazards, decide controls, assign responsibilities, set up the site and communicate the plan to workers. This lines up with practical tools such as job hazard analyses and pre-task meetings. See Job Hazard Analysis, Toolbox Talks and Multi-Employer Worksites.

Using A10 in practice

• Check your contract and site rules. Find out which A10 standards, and which editions, your project requires.
• Buy or access the current edition of the standards that apply to your work. Look through ASSP or ANSI, or ask your employer or safety department.
• Compare with OSHA. Note where the A10 standard is stricter or more detailed, and follow whichever is stricter.
• Use them to build your program: training, inspections, procedures and checklists. See Safety Observations.
• Train workers on the rules that apply to them, in language that they understand.
• Review when editions change, and update procedures.

Limits to keep in mind

• A10 standards give minimum requirements and general guidance. They don’t cover every situation or product. Always follow manufacturer instructions, local codes and engineering designs.
• They are revised periodically, so an older edition may be out of date.
• Compliance with a consensus standard does not guarantee OSHA compliance, or the reverse. Follow both where they apply.
• Other consensus standards cover other areas, such as NFPA for fire and electrical, and ANSI Z359 for fall protection. See NFPA 241 and ANSI Z359.

Using the A10 series: quick checklist

• I know which A10 standards and editions my project or employer requires
• I compared them to OSHA and follow the stricter rule
• Our safety program, training and inspections reflect them
• Pre-project and pre-task planning is done and shared with workers
• Procedures are reviewed when new editions come out
• I also follow manufacturer instructions and local codes

Note: ANSI/ASSP standards are copyrighted, and this page only summarizes them in general terms. Use the current edition of each standard.

Last updated: October 4, 2026