Contractors working in Philadelphia need to have a valid license and follow operational requirements. This page outlines the regulations related to contractors and contracting work in Philadelphia.
All contractors operating in Philadelphia must follow the requirements laid out in the Contractor Code of Conduct.
All contractors, including specialized and home improvement contractors and their subcontractors need to have safety training.
All workers on a construction or demolition site must complete a basic training course. The course must be OSHA 10 Construction provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer or an approved alternative. Contractors must keep proof of training on the job site.
Contractors, Excavation Contractors, and Demolition Contractors must identify at least one supervisory employee who has completed OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer or an approved alternative. The contractor must submit proof of training with the license application or renewal and the course must have been completed within the five years preceding license application or renewal.
This does not apply to:
When renewing the license, the supervisor can take 30 continuing education hours in construction or demolition safety instead of retaking the OSHA 30 course if the department has already accepted an OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health certificate.
The course must be completed in the five years prior to license renewal. The provider must be approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry and proof of completion must be submitted with the renewal application.
In addition to completing the OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health course, an Excavation Contractor must employ a site safety manager who has also completed the OSHA 3015 Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics Course or an approved alternative.
OSHA 3015 may only be provided through an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Regional courses are offered through the Mid-Atlantic OTI Education Center and additional course offerings are provided through TEEX OTI Education Center.
When renewing the license, the supervisor can take 20 continuing education hours in excavation, trenching, and soil mechanics instead of retaking the OSHA 3015 course if the department has already accepted an OSHA 3015 Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics certificate.
The course must be completed in the five years prior to license renewal. The provider must be approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, and proof of completion must be submitted with the renewal application.
Continuing education hours in excavation, trenching, and soil mechanics may also apply toward the requirement for OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health.
A site safety manager must oversee any new construction, structural alteration, or demolition of a building that is:
The designated site safety manager(s) must have completed OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer or an approved alternative. The contractor must submit any site safety managers to the building inspector before work starts.
L&I can approve training programs as alternatives to OSHA training. These training programs must be in construction site safety, excavation, trenching, or soil mechanics. They must meet these criteria:
To submit a program for consideration, email documentation to brett.martin@phila.gov.
L&I has approved the following programs as alternatives to OSHA training: