Skip to main content
How EHS Audits Helped Manage Construction Risk in a High-Rise Renovation
Logo Antea Group - No text - Angled - Transparent

How EHS Audits Helped Manage Construction Risk in a High-Rise Renovation

Do you have any questions?

How EHS Audits Helped Manage Construction Risk in a High-Rise Renovation

Challenge

A multinational financial services company undertook a major facility improvement project involving demolishing and renovating three floors within a high-rise building in a densely populated urban area. The project, scheduled over 12+ months, aimed to enhance operational efficiency and modernize the workspace to meet evolving business needs. Given the scale of the demolition and construction work, the company sought to ensure strict compliance with occupational health and safety regulations while minimizing risks to workers and occupants in adjacent areas.

The primary challenge for the client was maintaining a safe work environment in alignment with both OSHA construction and general industry standards while managing a high-traffic site with multiple contractors. The urgency stemmed from concerns over potential exposure to hazardous materials, fall hazards, confined space work, etc. and the need for robust contractor safety management. Additionally, the client recognized the necessity of proactive risk mitigation to prevent workplace incidents, regulatory violations, and project delays.

The project's objective was to enhance workplace safety, ensure full regulatory compliance, and minimize construction-related risks throughout the renovation process. By integrating regular EHS assessments and corrective action tracking, the project aimed to prevent injuries, improve contractor safety performance, and sustain compliance with OSHA regulations. This initiative-taking approach safeguarded workers and the surrounding environment and ensured that the project progressed on schedule without costly interruptions due to safety violations or incidents.

Solution

The client hired Antea Group EHS Auditing Services to ensure their three-floor demolition and renovation project complied with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and 1910 standards.

A structured EHS construction audit program was implemented, with an experienced auditor conducting monthly site visits. Each audit focused on identifying potential safety risks, verifying compliance with OSHA standards, and ensuring that contractors adhered to best practices for hazard control. An EHS Auditor conducted monthly site visits over a year, each lasting about 8 hours. The audits included a review of fall protection measures, respiratory protection compliance, lockout/tagout procedures, proper hazardous material handling, and emergency preparedness protocols. Immediate corrective actions were communicated to the project management team, and follow-up evaluations ensured continuous improvement.

Key services provided:

  • EHS Construction Audit Assessments: Verified correct implementation of OSHA health and safety measures on-site.
  • Regulatory Compliance Reviews: Assessed adherence to federal, state, and local EHS regulations, including permit verification and safety documentation audits.
  • Hazard Identification & Risk Mitigation: Identified hazards like fall risks, confined spaces, hazardous materials handling, respiratory hazards, and electrical safety concerns, followed by risk control recommendations.
  • Contractor Safety Oversight: Evaluated contractor safety performance to ensure it met project safety requirements and OSHA regulations.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated with site managers, contractors, and client representatives to provide safety recommendations and ensure open communication on EHS concerns.
  • EHS Audit Reporting: Created detailed reports after each audit, outlining compliance strengths and improvement areas and recommended corrective actions for maintaining OSHA compliance and enhancing workplace safety.

Result

With Antea Group’s support, the project stayed on track, on time, and—most importantly—safe. Our monthly EHS audits helped the client build a strong safety culture and maintain full compliance throughout the 12+ month renovation.

Key outcomes included:

  • Stronger Compliance: Gaps were quickly identified and resolved, helping the project stay OSHA-compliant and citation-free for over a year.
  • Improved Contractor Safety: Regular reviews kept contractors accountable and aligned with safety goals.
  • Better Communication: Ongoing collaboration between all parties encouraged shared responsibility and early issue resolution.
  • Actionable Insights: Timely reporting and corrective action tracking ensured issues didn’t repeat and improvements stuck.
  • Fewer Incidents: Proactive audits and quick fixes reduced safety incidents significantly—keeping workers safe and the project moving.

Have any questions?

Contact us to discuss your environment, health, safety, and sustainability needs today.