MOHURD GB55034-2022 Mandatory New Standard Now Effective! Construction Sites Must Strictly Comply!

Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) issued the national standard 'General Code for Safety, Health, and Occupational Well-being in Construction and Municipal Engineering', with the code number GB 55034-2022, effective from June 1, 2023. This mandatory construction standard requires full compliance with all its provisions. At the same time, it invalidates a large number of previous engineering construction standards related to mandatory requirements.

This mandatory standard is closely related to construction site safety management. Focus on Chapter 3 [Safety Management] and Chapter 6 [Occupational Health Management]. It is recommended to study and fully implement all content.

In addition, MOHURD previously issued the 'Standard for Determining Hidden Hazards of Major Production Accidents in Building and Municipal Engineering (2022 Edition)', which will take effect from the date of issuance. It is recommended to equip and use accordingly.

3 Safety Management

3.1 General Provisions

3.1.1 Projects should establish safety production management systems based on project characteristics and set up a complete safety production management system.

3.1.2 Safety warning signs and labels should be reasonably installed at main work areas, operational levels, hazardous zones, and primary entrances/exits. Signs must be securely fixed.

3.1.3 Appropriate protective measures should be taken according to the type of safety incident. For existing safety issues and hazards, designated personnel, timing, and measures should be established to organize rectification.

3.14 It is prohibited to work or pass under overhead power lines during construction, lifting operations, scaffolding erection, or placing materials and equipment.

3.2 High-Place Work

3.2.1 When working at heights above 2 meters from the baseline, safety protection facilities must be installed, and anti-fall measures adopted. Workers must correctly wear safety harnesses and other personal protective equipment.

3.2.2 High-place work should follow reasonable procedures. When multiple trades perform vertical crossover work, safety protection facilities must be set between floors. Working without protection is strictly prohibited.

3.2.3 For openings such as precast holes, stairwell openings, elevator shafts, and unguarded edges with heights less than 1.2m around floors, stairs, balconies, terraces, walls, or trenches, safety protection measures must be implemented. Unauthorized removal is strictly prohibited.

3.2.4 It is strictly prohibited to work or pass on unsecured structures or pipes without guardrails.

3.2.5 Platforms and load-bearing equipment must be stable and secure, with sufficient strength, rigidity, and stability. Overloading beyond design capacity is strictly prohibited.

3.2.6 Work must be suspended when encountering thunderstorms, heavy snow, dense fog, or winds exceeding level 5.

3.3 Object Handling

3.3.1 When installing components, fittings, or equipment at high altitudes, temporary fixation or anti-fall measures must be used.

3.3.2 During dismantling or hoisting operations, simultaneous upper and lower work is strictly prohibited. Materials, machinery, components, and parts must be transported to ground level and must not be thrown.

3.3.3 The weight of materials stacked on platforms must not exceed the platform’s allowable load capacity, and stacking height must meet stability requirements.

3.3.4 Protective barriers must be installed above walkways, capable of resisting falling objects.

3.3.5 When tensioning or dismantling prestressed structures, protective measures must be applied to the ends, and no workers should be present along the axis. For unbonded prestressed structures, release the prestress first before dismantling.

3.4 Lifting and Hoisting

3.4.1 A safety isolation zone and warning signs must be set before lifting operations. Dedicated personnel must supervise during lifting, preventing unauthorized persons from entering. No one may stay or pass under lifted loads.

3.4.2 Cranes and slings must comply with the following requirements:

1. Performance and specifications of cranes and slings must meet lifting requirements and match environmental conditions;

2. Inspections must be conducted before use to confirm good condition before deployment;

3. Load must not exceed rated capacity.

3.4.3 Lifting weight must not exceed the crane’s rated capacity. Overloading, dragging, or lifting unbalanced loads is strictly prohibited.

3.4.4 The use of hook-type slings is strictly prohibited for material hoists.

(3) Fixation points, tensioning points, and support points for cantilever platforms are not located on stable main structures and lack reliable connections.

3.4.6 During lifting operations, temporary fixing measures must be taken for unstable sections. Temporary fixings can only be removed after completing installation and passing inspection.

3.4.7 Large cranes are strictly prohibited from operating in rain, snow, fog, dust, sandstorms, or low visibility conditions. Operations must be stopped if wind speed exceeds 9.0 m/s at the crane's highest point.

3.5 Excavation

3.5.1 Excavation procedures and methods must align with design plans. Over-excavation is strictly prohibited.

3.5.2 Measures to prevent water infiltration or drainage must be taken at trench walls, top, and bottom.

3.5.3 Materials, equipment, or machinery placed near trenches must not exceed the allowable ground load limits specified by design.

3.5.4 Monitoring must be carried out throughout excavation based on design and construction plans.

3.5.5 If any of the following conditions occur, immediate action must be taken and work resumed only after treatment:

1. Deformation of support structures or surrounding buildings exceeds design control limits;

2. Significant seepage or soil flow occurs at trench walls;

3. Pipe leakage is detected at the trench bottom;

3.5.6 If any of the following conditions are observed during deep foundation construction, immediate corrective actions must be taken:

1. Support structure or adjacent building deformation exceeds design limits;

2. Significant seepage or soil flow occurs at trench walls;

3. Pipe leakage is detected at the trench bottom;

4. Soil loss in the trench exceeds the trench width.

3.5.7 Backfilling must be performed only after the structural strength meets design requirements.

3.5.8 Backfill soil must be controlled for moisture content and compaction density. Use of silt, clay, peat, organic soil, or contaminated soil is strictly prohibited.

3.5.9 Forms and supports must be designed based on construction conditions and must meet load, rigidity, and stability requirements.

3.5.10 Formwork and supports may only be removed after the concrete strength reaches the required level.

3.5.11 Materials and products on-site must be neatly stacked and secured appropriately based on specific circumstances.

3.5.12 Temporary supports must comply with the following:

1. Connection to cranes or scaffolds is strictly prohibited;

2. Workload on the construction level must not exceed the design limit;

3. Components must not be disassembled during use.

3.5.13 Temporary structures must undergo safety technical analysis and ensure overall stability during the design service life.

3.5.14 Dismantling operations must comply with the following:

1. Dismantling must proceed from top to bottom in layers and be segmented; vertical crossover work is prohibited;

2. Workers must operate on stable structures or dedicated equipment. Gathering people or stacking materials on horizontal members is strictly prohibited. Wall demolition must not use bottom pushing or hammering methods;

3. Non-load-bearing structures must be dismantled first, followed by load-bearing ones;

4. Stability of remaining structures must be maintained during dismantling.

3.6 Machinery and Equipment

3.6.1 Operators must strictly follow manufacturer guidelines regarding performance, load capacity, and usage conditions. Overloading, over-speeding, or extending usage beyond authorized scope is strictly prohibited.

3.6.2 All machine controls and indicators must be sensitive and functional, with clear markings.

3.6.3 All safety guards, protective devices, and alarm systems must be complete and effective. Unauthorized replacement, adjustment, or removal is strictly prohibited.

3.6.4 A safety zone must be established for machinery operations. Unauthorized personnel must not linger, pass through, repair, or maintain machines. Warning signs must be posted during cleaning, maintenance, or repairs, and operations can only resume after cutting off power and ensuring the machine is stopped.

3.6.5 Before installing or erecting cranes, platforms, or hoists, structural load capacity and deformation must be calculated. Installation and erection can only proceed after confirming structural performance meets requirements.

3.6.6 Crane safety monitoring systems must have data storage capabilities, including information such as lifting weight, force moment, lift height, slew angle, and travel. Automatic power cutoff is required if a dangerous trend is detected.

3.7 Tunnelling and Shielding

3.7.1 Tunneling must follow a rational sequence and avoid over-excavation. Support measures must be implemented based on geological conditions, construction methods, and real-time monitoring. Immediate repair and reinforcement are required if support deformation exceeds limits or damage occurs.

3.7.2 During tunnel boring, advance rate must be coordinated with surface settlement, groundwater inflow, and synchronous grouting.

3.7.3 If any of the following occurs during tunnel boring, operations must be immediately stopped, the cause analyzed, and corrective actions taken:

1. Ground subsidence or obstruction ahead of the tunnel face;

2. Excessive rotation angle beyond permitted range;

3. Excessive deviation from the planned position;

4. Excessive thrust beyond predicted values;

5. Malfunctions in waterproofing, transportation, or grouting systems.

3.7.4 Prior to tunnel advancement, existing utilities within the work area must be reinforced. Real-time monitoring, recording, analysis, and control of existing infrastructure, shield structure, and rear segments must be conducted. Immediate adjustments are required if deviations or movements exceed limits.

3.8 Vehicles and Transport

3.8.1 Warning signs must be displayed when transporting hazardous materials.

3.8.2 Roadways at construction sites must be flat and solid. Special sections must be equipped with reflective markers, warning lights, and turn signals. Vehicle speeds must comply with site speed limits.

3.8.3 It is strictly prohibited for personnel to get on or off vehicles during transport.

3.8.4 Nighttime construction requires adequate lighting. Vehicle speeds must be reduced.

3.8.5 Vehicles must undergo regular inspections, maintenance, and servicing.

3.9 Toxicity and Hazardous Gases

3.9.1 When handling toxic substances, a dual-responsibility system must be implemented. Workers must not leave their posts during operations.

3.9.2 Workplaces must be equipped with ventilation and lighting systems based on the construction environment.

3.9.3 Before entering confined spaces, air quality must be tested according to the order: oxygen, flammable gases, and toxic/hazardous gases. Work is strictly prohibited if gas concentrations exceed safety limits.

3.9.4 Indoor renovation work prohibits the use of turpentine, industrial turpentine, kerosene, heavy metal solvents, or mixed solvents as thinners or cleaners. Solvent-based cleaners are strictly prohibited. Exterior wall cleaning must not use strong acids, strong bases, or toxic chemicals.

3.10 Electric Shock Prevention

3.10.1 Protective grounding and lightning protection grounding must comply with the following:

1. Protective conductors (PE), grounding conductors, and bonding conductors must be reliably connected;

2. Residual current devices require protective grounding conductors (PE);

3. The grounding resistance value must meet the minimum requirement for all types of grounding.

3.10.2 Power sources for construction electrical systems must be isolated from other power sources. Parallel operation is strictly prohibited.

3.10.3 Electrical wiring at construction sites must comply with the following:

1. Cables must have effective protection against mechanical damage and insulation degradation;

2. Cables must include all working conductors, neutral (N), and protective earth (PE) or combined neutral/protective (PEN). PE and PEN outer sheaths must be green-yellow; N outer sheath must be light blue. Different function conductors must not be mixed;

3.10.4 Lighting at special locations must comply with the following:

1. Hand-held lamps must use extra-low voltage (SELV) below 36V;

2. Isolation transformers must be double-wound type. Auto-transformers are strictly prohibited;

3. Isolation transformers must not contain metal enclosures or conduits.

3.10.5 Maintenance and repair of electrical equipment and wiring must comply with the following:

1. Live work is strictly prohibited. Power must be disconnected and associated circuits isolated. Verify that power is cut off, lock out switches, and post warning signs at doors, panels, or locks;

2. In case of faults, use a voltage tester to verify disconnection before repair. Post 'Do Not Operate – Work in Progress' signs on the control switch. Only authorized personnel may manage power disconnection;

3. Scheduled power shutdowns are strictly prohibited.

3.10.6 When performing welding or cutting inside pipes or containers, reliable insulation or grounding measures must be taken, and ventilation ensured.

3.11 Fire and Explosion

3.11.1 Flammable liquids, gases, and pressurized containers such as oil, gasoline, compressed gas cylinders, acetylene, and natural gas must be stored safely and handled carefully. Throwing or dropping is strictly prohibited. Dedicated storage areas are required, and storage in residential buildings is strictly forbidden.

3.11.2 Metal pipes carrying flammable liquids, gases, or explosive gases must not be used as electrical grounding conductors.

3.11.3 Pressure and tightness tests must not use flammable gases or oxygen for testing.

3.11.4 If leaks are detected during pressure or tightness tests, wait until pressure drops to atmospheric levels before repairs. Re-testing is required after successful repairs.

3.11.5 When working inside equipment or pipelines containing flammable gases, vapors, or dust, explosion-proof tools and lighting must be used. Static electricity protection measures must be implemented. Concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, and dust must be kept below 10% of the lower explosive limit.

3.11.6 Before installing or connecting pipelines carrying oxygen or compressed air, they must be cleaned of contaminants, debris, and oil.

3.11.7 Pressure vessels and accessories must be intact and effective. Use of defective pressure regulators or other accessories is strictly prohibited. Defective acetylene regulators or fire extinguishing devices are strictly prohibited.

3.11.8 Welding, cutting, or other hot work is strictly prohibited in containers holding toxic, flammable, or explosive materials.

3.12 Blasting Operations

3.12.1 Prior to blasting, the surrounding natural conditions and environment must be surveyed to identify potential hazards. Necessary safety measures must be implemented.

3.12.2 Prior to blasting, a safety cordon must be established and appropriate warning measures taken. Personnel, machinery, and vehicles must be evacuated or protected before blasting begins.

3.12.3 Blasters must follow prescribed charge quantities. After setting charges, wire checks must be conducted. The blast signal must be confirmed to meet safety criteria before issuing the detonation command.

3.12.4 After shallow, deep, or special blasting, personnel may enter the work area for inspection after waiting 5 minutes. If direct observation is impossible, wait 15 minutes. After underground blasting, wait 15 minutes after ventilation and fume clearance before entry.

3.12.5 Blasting is strictly prohibited under the following conditions:

1. Risk of instability, collapse, or landslides in nearby slopes or embankments;

2. Threat to surrounding buildings, public facilities, or personnel safety;

3. No warning signs or barriers around the hazard zone;

4. Adverse weather conditions.

3.13 Water Infiltration

3.13.1 When working in environments prone to water infiltration—such as saturated soil layers, collapsible loess, excavated areas, or others—preventive measures including waterproofing, drainage, lowering water table, pumping, and interception must be implemented.

3.13.2 Prior to tunneling, calculate and test internal air pressure to ensure ground conditions meet air pressure retention requirements.

3.13.3 Before tunneling through steel plates or steel pipes, sealing measures must be applied. Waterproofing must be strictly enforced on the outer side of rock strata facing water. Water level changes must be monitored throughout construction, and internal/external head differences must meet safety requirements.

3.14 Underwater Work

3.14.1 When the depth of open excavations (e.g., ditches, pits, pools, ponds) exceeds 0.5m, safety protection measures must be implemented.

3.14.2 Workers performing tasks above or below water must wear appropriate life-saving equipment.

3.14.3 When working above water, safety protection measures must be taken around platforms or work surfaces.

3.15 Heat and Fire

3.15.1 Workers must wear proper personal protective equipment in high-temperature environments.

3.15.2 Workers must take fire prevention measures when working with electricity.

3.15.3 Acid, alkali, oils, and organic materials must be stored, managed, and used safely, with safety measures to protect workers from injury.

6 Occupational Health Management

6.0.1 For workers engaged in radiation, high-toxicity, or high-risk particulate exposure, comprehensive occupational health records and monitoring files must be established and medical consultation services provided regularly.

6.0.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE) for scaffold workers, crane operators, and signalmen must comply with the following:

1. Scaffold workers, crane operators, and crane installers must be equipped with snug workwear, anti-slip gloves, and safety harnesses;

2. Signalmen must wear specialized identification uniforms and protective goggles in bright light conditions.

6.0.3 PPE for electricians must comply with the following:

1. Repair electricians must wear insulated boots, insulated gloves, and snug workwear;

2. Installers must wear gloves and protective goggles;

3. High-voltage work requires corresponding-rated insulated boots, gloves, and colored goggles.

6.0.4 PPE for welders and gas cutters must comply with the following:

1. Welders and gas cutters must wear flame-resistant suits, insulated boots, safety goggles, welding gloves, and face shields. For high-altitude work, they must also wear safety harnesses connected to face shields and flame-resistant vests;

2. When cleaning slag, protective goggles must be worn;

3. When cutting steel, gloves, dust masks, and protective goggles must be worn;

4. When handling acids, alkalis, or corrosives, protective suits, acid/alkali resistant goggles, gloves, masks, and face shields must be worn;

5. In confined or poorly ventilated spaces, supplied-air respirators must be worn.

6.0.5 PPE for boiler, pressure vessel, and pipeline installers must comply with the following:

1. Boiler, pressure vessel, and pipeline installers must wear snug workwear and safety boots. In bright light, protective goggles must be worn. In underground or submerged work, they must wear sealed workwear, insulated boots, and insulated gloves;

2. In underwater or submerged environments, sealed workwear, insulated boots, and insulated gloves must be worn.

6.0.6 PPE for oil and grease workers must comply with the following:

1. For degreasing and lubrication work, insulated workwear, insulated boots, and gloves, dust masks, and protective goggles must be worn;

2. For cleaning, painting, and welding work, flame-resistant suits, high-boots, protective goggles, gloves, and face shields must be worn.

6.0.7 PPE for general workers must comply with the following:

1. For sanding and screening, high-top boots, dust masks, goggles, and gloves must be worn. For manual digging, raincoats, gloves, and safety nets must be worn;

2. For manual excavation, raincoats, gloves, and safety nets must be worn;

3. For breaking and demolishing, protective boots, gloves, and safety nets must be worn.

6.0.8 PPE for stone workers must comply with the following:

1. Stone workers must wear snug workwear, dust masks, insulated gloves, and safety goggles.

6.0.9 PPE for waterproofing workers must comply with the following:

1. For coating and brushing, insulated workwear, insulated boots, and gloves, dust masks, and protective goggles must be worn;

2. For mixing and transporting, flame-resistant suits, high-boots, protective goggles, gloves, and face shields must be worn.

6.0.10 PPE for ironworkers, copperworkers, and ventilators must comply with the following:

1. When using chisels, saws, drills, or similar tools, snug workwear and protective goggles must be worn;

2. For grinding, gloves and goggles must be worn. For prying, protective boots and gloves must be worn;

3. For working with asbestos-containing materials, protective suits, dust masks, face shields, goggles, and special gloves must be worn.

6.0.11 PPE for electrical and crane operator workers must comply with the following:

1. For electrical and crane installations, maintenance, and repairs, snug workwear, protective boots, and gloves must be worn.

6.0.12 PPE for handheld electric tool users must comply with the following:

1. For using hand-held electric tools, insulated boots, insulated gloves, and protective goggles must be worn. For working with potentially airborne particles, protective goggles must be worn.

6.0.13 PPE for workers in other special environments must comply with the following:

1. In noisy environments, earplugs, earmuffs, or noise-reducing hats must be worn;

2. For inspecting underground pipelines, wells, or tanks, protective face gear, anti-slip boots, and gloves must be worn;

3. In toxic or hazardous environments, protective face masks or face gear must be worn;

4. In cold weather or winter construction periods, workers must be provided with cold-weather protective gear;

5. During rainy seasons, outdoor workers must be provided with raincoats, rain boots, and other personal protective gear.

Notice from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on Issuing the 'Standard for Determining Hidden Hazards of Major Production Accidents in Building and Municipal Engineering (2022 Edition)'

Construction Quality Regulation (2022) No. 2

All provincial and autonomous region housing and urban-rural development departments, municipal housing and urban-rural development (administration) bureaus, new construction production groups, Shandong Provincial Transportation Department:

We hereby issue the 'Standard for Determining Hidden Hazards of Major Production Accidents in Building and Municipal Engineering (2022 Edition)' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Determining Standard') to you. Please strictly enforce it.

All levels of housing and urban-rural development administrative departments must treat major hazards as incidents. The 'Determining Standard' shall serve as a key legal basis for supervision and enforcement. We urge all parties involved in engineering projects to strictly fulfill their primary responsibility for accident hazard investigation and management, accurately determine, and promptly eliminate all types of major accident hazards. Strict implementation of hazard investigation and management procedures is essential to completely eliminate accident risks and firmly safeguard the safety production baseline.

Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development

April 19, 2022

(This notice is issued publicly)

Standard for Determining Hidden Hazards of Major Production Accidents in Building and Municipal Engineering (2022 Edition)

Article 1: To accurately identify, timely eliminate major hidden hazards in building and municipal engineering production safety, effectively prevent and avoid mass casualties and serious economic losses, this standard is formulated based on laws and regulations including the 'Building Law of the People's Republic of China,' 'Occupational Safety and Health Law of the People's Republic of China,' and the 'Regulations on Safety Production Management in Construction Engineering.'

Article 3: This standard applies to the determination of hidden hazards in new construction, expansion, reconstruction, and demolition of building and municipal engineering projects.

Provincial-level and higher housing and urban-rural development authorities and safety supervision agencies may refer to this standard when conducting inspections and evaluations.

Article 4: Any of the following situations shall be determined as major hidden hazards:

(1) The construction enterprise has not obtained a safety production permit to engage in construction activities;

(2) The main responsible person, project manager, or dedicated safety production manager of the construction unit has not obtained a qualified certificate for safety production assessment;

(3) Special operation personnel have not obtained special operation qualification certificates to work on-site;

(4) For high-risk sub-projects exceeding a certain scale, no special construction plan has been prepared or reviewed, or no expert review has been conducted for the special construction plan for 'high-risk sub-projects exceeding a certain scale.'

Article 5: Any of the following situations in foundation engineering shall be determined as major hidden hazards:

(1) For structures, buildings, or underground pipelines that may be damaged due to foundation engineering, no special protective measures have been taken;

(2) Excavation exceeds the allowed depth without taking effective measures;

(3) Deep foundation construction has not undergone third-party monitoring;

(4) One of the following foundation landslide risks occurs, and timely measures are not taken:

1. Deformation of support structures or adjacent buildings exceeds design control limits;

2. Significant seepage or soil flow occurs at trench walls;

3. Pipe leakage is detected at the trench bottom;

4. Soil loss in the trench exceeds the trench width.

Article 6: Any of the following situations in formwork engineering shall be determined as major hidden hazards:

(1) Foundation bearing capacity and deformation of formwork do not meet design requirements;

(2) The load borne by formwork supports exceeds the design value;

(3) Formwork supports are dismantled or raised while the concrete has not reached the required strength.

Article 7: Any of the following situations in scaffolding engineering shall be determined as major hidden hazards:

(1) Foundation bearing capacity and deformation of scaffolding do not meet design requirements;

(2) Coupling connectors or coupling joints are missing or incomplete;

(3) Self-lifting scaffolding has not passed acceptance testing before being put into use;

(4) Anti-fall devices, fall arresters, or synchronized lifting control devices do not meet design requirements, are ineffective, or have been illegally removed;

(5) The height of the lifting frame exceeds two-fifths or six meters of the frame height.

Article 8: Any of the following situations in crane and lifting engineering shall be determined as major hidden hazards:

(1) Tower cranes, hoisting cranes, material hoists, etc., have not passed acceptance testing or have not been registered for use as required;

(2) The independent height, lateral spacing, maximum lifting height, and verticality of tower cranes do not meet code requirements;

(3) The lateral spacing, maximum lifting height, and verticality of hoisting cranes do not meet code requirements;

(4) Crane safety devices, connections, lifting frames, control devices, and other components have not been inspected prior to installation, lifting, or raising;

(5) The safety devices of cranes are incomplete, ineffective, or have been illegally removed or damaged;

(6) The anti-fall safety device of hoisting cranes exceeds its inspection validity period, or the standard connection pin is missing or ineffective;

(7) Foundation bearing capacity and deformation of cranes do not meet design requirements.

Article 9: Any of the following situations in high-place work shall be determined as major hidden hazards:

(1) The foundation bearing capacity and deformation of steel structures or network trusses used for scaffolding do not meet design requirements. Anti-collapse covers were not installed as per design requirements;

(2) Single-span steel beams (or roof trusses) lack anti-collapse measures during installation;

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