SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION

The Construction Industry

Cause of Deaths: Falling through fragile roofs and roof lights Falling from ladders, scaffolds and other work places Being struck by excavators, lift trucks or dumpers Being struck by falling loads and equipment Being crushed by collapsing structures

Construction Accidents

56% falls from height 21% trapped by something collapsing or overturning 10% struck by a moving vehicle 5% contact with electricity or electrical discharge 4% struck by a flying/falling object during machine lifting of materials 3% contact with moving machinery or material being machined 1% exposure to a hot or harmful substance

 Site Specific Issues: Working at Height Personal Protective Equipment Training

Safe Ladders

Never allow more than one person on a ladder Use tool belts or hand lines to carry objects. Do not lean out from the ladder in any direction If you have a fear of heights dont climb a ladder Do not allow others to work under a ladder in use

Ladder Angle
Portable Rung and Cleat Ladders

Use at angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is the working length of the ladder (length along ladder between the foot and top support).

Safe Use of Harnesses

Fit Harnesses have maximum weight allowance Are operatives wearing them correctly What can they anchor too? Need secure anchor point Choking bad practice Lanyard Type Traditionally sold with fall arrest lanyard Have operatives enough room to fall? Can they be rescued?

Scaffolding
General Requirements

Must be capable of supporting four times the maximum intended load Do not alter or move while in use Protect workers on scaffolds from overhead hazards If higher than 10 ft., use guardrails, mid rails and toe boards Use wire mesh between the toe board and guardrail if people work or pass underneath Must be equipped with access ladder or equivalent

EXCAVATION WORK

All excavations deeper than 1.25meters MUST be shored or battered. Excavations deeper than 2 meters MUST have a guard rail or barrier Vehicles working too close to the side of the trench or rubble piled on the sides may cause collapse Vehicles tipping into the excavation must use stop blocks

CRANE SAFETY

The weight of the load must be carefully estimated The crane must be fitted with an automatic safe load indicator (one that works) The crane must always work on a hard, level base The load must be properly fixed and secured NEVER, NEVER be carried with a load

ELECTRICITY

Treat electricity with respect Check constantly that cables are not damaged or worn Keep trailing cables off the ground and away from water Never overload or use makeshift plugs and fuses

Personal Protective Equipment

Responsibilities

Employer Assess workplace for hazards Provide Personal Protective Equipment Determine when to use Provide Personal Protective Equipment training for employees. Employee Use Personal Protective Equipment in accordance with training received and other instructions Inspect daily and maintain in a clean and reliable condition

Examples of Personal Protective Equipment

Body Part Eye Face Head Feet Hands and arms Bodies Protection safety glasses, goggles face shields hard hats safety shoes gloves vests

Hearing

earplugs, earmuffs

Head Protection

Causes of Head Injuries

Falling objects such as tools Bumping head against objects, such

as pipes or beams Contact with exposed electrical wiring or components

Selecting the Right Hard Hat

Class A General service (building construction, shipbuilding,
lumbering) Good impact protection but limited voltage protection Class B Electrical / Utility work Protects against falling objects and high-voltage shock and burns Class C Designed for comfort, offers limited protection Protects against bumps from fixed objects, but does not protect against falling objects or electrical shock

Eye Protection

When must Eye Protection be Provided?

When any of these hazards are present : Dust and other flying particles, such as metal shavings or sawdust Corrosive gases, vapors, and liquids Molten metal that may splash Potentially infectious materials such as blood or hazardous liquid chemicals that may splash Intense light from welding and lasers

Eye Protection
Criteria for Selection : Protects against specific hazard/s Comfortable to wear Does not restrict vision or movement Durable and easy to clean and disinfect Does not interfere with the function of other
required Personal Protective Equipment

Safety Glasses

Made with metal/plastic safety

frames Most operations require side shields Used for moderate impact from particles produced by jobs such as carpentry, woodworking, grinding, and scaling

Goggles

Protects eyes and area around the

eyes from impact, dust, and splashes Some goggles fit over corrective lenses

Face Shields

Full face protection Protects face from dusts and splashes

or sprays of hazardous liquids Does not protect from impact hazards Wear safety glasses or goggles underneath

Feet and Leg Protection

Safety Shoes

Impact-resistant toes and heat-

resistant soles protect against hot surfaces common in roofing and paving Some have metal insoles to protect against puncture wounds May be electrically conductive for use in explosive atmospheres, or nonconductive to protect from workplace electrical hazards

Hand Protection

When Must Hand Protection be Provided?

When any of these are present:

Burns Bruises Abrasions Cuts Punctures Fractures Amputations Chemical Exposures

Thank You for Your Kind Attention