A standard for construction phases
NOM-031-STPS-2011 addresses construction health and safety conditions within Mexico. Application should be checked against the activities and phases covered, including the text’s exclusions. It is not limited to the finished building: it addresses how work is carried out and the risks personnel face throughout the process.
Classification and differentiated requirements
The standard classifies projects by size and establishes obligations that depend on that classification. Before using a checklist, the category and criteria applied should be documented. Applying large-project requirements indiscriminately to every intervention, or assuming that a small project has no obligations, leads to unhelpful and potentially incomplete reviews.
Analysis and safety system
Risk analysis and the organisation of measures must relate to activities, equipment and personnel. Where required, the site’s health and safety system includes policy, programme, authorisations, training and monitoring. Prevention in construction requires this information to be updated when the sequence changes or new conflicting activities arise.
Specific work and equipment
The text develops subjects including excavations, work at height, tools, machinery and emergencies, as well as referring to other NOM standards. Where applicable, replacement references should be consulted. A historical reference to a version of personal protection rules does not justify ignoring the applicable standard. Each control must match the risk and be maintained throughout the work.
Example of a phase change
In a hypothetical example, a project moves from foundations to structural work. The responsible person reviews access, auxiliary equipment and simultaneous activities, communicates instructions and checks protective measures before work starts. The programme records responsibilities and checks. Keeping the same risk sheet without reviewing the new phase would not demonstrate sufficient preventive control.
How to check application
Depending on the requirement, conformity assessment combines documentation, records, physical checks and interviews. Not everything can be demonstrated with a photograph or a folder. The review needs to identify the applicable clause and corresponding evidence. This entry explains the standard’s structure without replacing technical design of measures or a complete site compliance assessment.
