Chapter 14Chapter 14Construction Safety and Construction Safety and

HealthHealth

By:By:Justin Maloney, Casey Wofford, Alex Serrano, and Cedrick WinslowJustin Maloney, Casey Wofford, Alex Serrano, and Cedrick Winslow

Cost of AccidentsCost of Accidents

► InsuranceInsurance► Indirect costs of injuryIndirect costs of injury

ProductivityProductivity Personnel timePersonnel time Damaged PropertyDamaged Property Retraining Replacement WorkersRetraining Replacement Workers

►Loss of Job ProfitsLoss of Job Profits

Cost of Accidents Cntd.Cost of Accidents Cntd.

►Workers Comp InsuranceWorkers Comp Insurance CostsCosts

►LiabilityLiability LawsuitsLawsuits CostsCosts

►PenaltiesPenalties FinesFines

►Public RelationsPublic Relations

The Cause of Accidents

• Safety Equipment Use• Lack of Training• Drugs• Alcohol• Safe Layout

Types of Accidents

• Trench Safety

• Lifting

• Falling Objects

• Cuts

• Machinery

• Proper Use of Equipment

Occupational Health and Safety Administration

In 1970, the federal government passed the OSHact to ensure that workers have consistently safe work environments

Provides standards and rules for healthy and safe work environments, tools, equipment, and processes

OSHA conduct investigations to make sure its standards are being followed.

If violations are found, inspectors will likely issue a citation and/or penalties.

OSHA Regulation Sections

CFR 1910 Contains general

industry safety and health standards

Ex: Hazardous materials, protective equipment, medical and first aid, etc.

CFR 1926 Contains the

occupational and health standards for the construction industry

Ex: Welding and cutting, steel erection, excavation, welding & cutting, etc.

Compliance with OSHA Regulations

Random inspections, respond to workers complaints

When a citation is issued, the company is required to correct deficiencies

If an accident occurs, an investigation and a fine will commence ($1,000 - $70,000)

Benefits of OSHA

In the last 30 years there have been a 60% decrease in fatalities and 40% decrease in injuries

The U.S. employment has almost doubled (56 million to 105 million)

OSHA partnering with industries continue to implement new ways of minimizing accidents

Safety ProgramsSafety Programs

The most effective method of reducing The most effective method of reducing accidents in the workplace is through safety accidents in the workplace is through safety programs.programs.

The Occupational Safety and Health The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates the development of a Administration mandates the development of a safety program; but for the program to work, it safety program; but for the program to work, it must have the total support of management.must have the total support of management.

Corporate programs usually have the Corporate programs usually have the following components:following components:

Layout the responsibility of the top executives in regard to safetyLayout the responsibility of the top executives in regard to safety Identify methods of measuring performanceIdentify methods of measuring performance Institute control measures through supervisory personnelInstitute control measures through supervisory personnel Define reporting requirements in the event of an accidentDefine reporting requirements in the event of an accident Develop safety training for employees Develop safety training for employees Institute disciplinary warningInstitute disciplinary warning Provide incentives for those who achieve high standards of safetyProvide incentives for those who achieve high standards of safety

A strong corporate safety program is the foundation A strong corporate safety program is the foundation of the site program.of the site program.

Corporate programs should have feedback from the Corporate programs should have feedback from the sites concerning critical areas for training and any sites concerning critical areas for training and any ideals about methods of prevention to be effective ideals about methods of prevention to be effective over time.over time.

The site safety program specifically explains the The site safety program specifically explains the work that must be done at the site both before and work that must be done at the site both before and during construction itself.during construction itself.

How materials are handled and stored and how How materials are handled and stored and how rubbish is collected should involve minimum conflict rubbish is collected should involve minimum conflict with one another and with other work activities.with one another and with other work activities.

Signs, barricades, police details temporary Signs, barricades, police details temporary lighting, walkways, and overhead protections lighting, walkways, and overhead protections all play a part in protecting the public.all play a part in protecting the public.

Employee OrientationEmployee OrientationIt has been shown that most accidents happen because

of a lake of knowledge on the workers behalf. For the first 90 days of employment an employee is at the greatest risk to have a accident.

Each new employee should go through two levels of training

1. The company level safety training should involve the day to day safety expectations. Some basic overall expectations are:

• The Job site is to be clean at all times

• Smoking is only permitted is designated areas

• All personal protective equipment is to be worn at all times

• Drugs and Alcohol is forbidden on site

Employee OrientationEmployee Orientation2. All employees should be trained on the hazards and 2. All employees should be trained on the hazards and

safety requirements that exist for that specific job safety requirements that exist for that specific job site. Because each job site differs all employees, not site. Because each job site differs all employees, not jus new employees, should go through a job site jus new employees, should go through a job site specific orientation. Some site specific safety rules specific orientation. Some site specific safety rules and hazards are as follows:and hazards are as follows:

• Respirators are to be worn when using Respirators are to be worn when using hazardous chemicalshazardous chemicals

• Fall restraint should be worn when there is a Fall restraint should be worn when there is a potential fall of six feet or morepotential fall of six feet or more

• What chemicals are present and where to find What chemicals are present and where to find MSDS sheetsMSDS sheets

• What are the emergency proceduresWhat are the emergency procedures

Accident PreventionMany accidents can be prevented by simply having a good

hazard communication plan. All employers should make sure that each employee has access to all safety material and understands it. All communication plans should include the following basic information.– MSDSs on file at the job site– A universal labeling system for all chemical labels– Employee training on how to handle chemicals

All subcontracts that bring hazardous chemicals onto the job site should follow the safety rules set up by the general contractor

Universal Chemical labelsUniversal Chemical labels

Preventive Devices

Along with training, protective devices can aid in the elimination of hazard and making workers more productive.

• Fall Protection: This is required when there is a potential for a fall of six feet or more. Fall protection systems include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall restraints.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE is required on all construction sites. This equipment consists of hard hat, safety glasses, steel toe boots as well as some specialized equipment.

Preventive Devices Cont.Preventive Devices Cont.

►Fire Protection: Flammables and Fire Protection: Flammables and combustibles should be kept in special combustibles should be kept in special containers to prevent harm, as well as containers to prevent harm, as well as kept away from any potential hot kept away from any potential hot work.work.

►Signs, Signals, and Barricades: These Signs, Signals, and Barricades: These inform works and the public of inform works and the public of hazardous conditions when they can hazardous conditions when they can not be avoided.not be avoided.

Safety MeetingsSafety MeetingsSafety Meeting should be held on two Safety Meeting should be held on two

levelslevels

1.1. The safety team or committee should meet The safety team or committee should meet once a month to discuses the following:once a month to discuses the following:

Report of any accident or near miss with review Report of any accident or near miss with review of corrective actionof corrective action

Review of new regulatory activityReview of new regulatory activity Results of project safety auditsResults of project safety audits

2.2. There should be weekly and/or daily tool There should be weekly and/or daily tool box meeting to inform workers of any box meeting to inform workers of any specific hazards, or changes to the job that specific hazards, or changes to the job that affect safetyaffect safety

If an Accident OccursOSHA requires that all employers have a written

emergency plan in place and that all employees are familiar with it. An emergency plan should contain at least the following:

• Who and how to call for help• Method of sounding the alarm to evacuate the area• Escape Routes and Procedures in the event of an evacuation• Designation of a person to administer first aid• Location of first aid kit• Rescue methods in the event of a specific type of accident• Designation of a person who will perform the rescue• What to do if a chemical spill occurs

Accident InvestigationAccident InvestigationWhen an accident does occur it is important to find the When an accident does occur it is important to find the

root cause of why the accident occurred. This will help root cause of why the accident occurred. This will help insure that there are no similar accidents in the future. insure that there are no similar accidents in the future. An investigation should be preformed for accident as An investigation should be preformed for accident as well as all near misses. Accident investigation well as all near misses. Accident investigation procedures should include:procedures should include:

Clear the scene of all nonessential personnel and rope Clear the scene of all nonessential personnel and rope off the areaoff the area

Protect the scene, leaving everything as is Protect the scene, leaving everything as is Photograph or videotape the scenePhotograph or videotape the scene Interview those involved separately and as soon as Interview those involved separately and as soon as

possible after the Occurrencepossible after the Occurrence

After the investigation corrective action should taken in After the investigation corrective action should taken in order to correct any unsafe conditions or attitudes that order to correct any unsafe conditions or attitudes that might have lead to the accident.might have lead to the accident.

Safety isn't a hobby, it's a living