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1. Construction Management
By
Akash Padole
Department of Civil Engineering
Safety & Health on Construction Sites

2. Contains
6.1 Common causes of accidents on construction
sites, costs of accident, precautionary measures
to avoid accidents,
6.2 Occupational health hazards in construction
industry.
6.3 Safety & Health Campaign.
6.4 O.S.H.A
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3. Safety
• Safety is a difficult term to define due to the inter-
relatedness of several factors.
• Very often, safety is adjudged in terms of an inverse
relationship with accident rate. High rate means low
safety.
• Theoretically, safety would mean the absence of
danger at work which is made possible by
eliminating hazards that create the danger.
• In other words, we can say that Safety is free from
risk and danger.
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4. Why does the issue of Safety arises?
• Due to frequent accidents there is a loss of:
✓ Labour
✓ Money
✓ Time
✓ Material
• Due to accidents there is also a loss of reputation of
the builder.
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5. Accidents
• Generally an accident is defined as “an event which is
unexpected or the cause of which is unforeseen”
• Accidents is defined as an unexpected event resulting
in damage or harm.
• However, it is not always easy to determine to what
extent the accidents are the direct result of the
working environment only.
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6. • There may be lack of proper:
– Safety equipment at work sites.
– Long working hours may cause fatigue.
– Improper living conditions
– Improper working conditions
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7. • It may be underlined that in construction the concern
for safety is for both persons and property structures.
• The risk of accidents is present in all everyday
activities and it is not fair to pretend that a work site
can be entirely free from accidents.
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8. Common causes of accidents
on Construction Sites
1. Fires and explosions
2. Falls
3. Getting stuck
4. Electrocution
5. Struck by an object
6. Overdoing it, heat stroke or hypothermia
7. Trench collapses
8. Repetitive motion or strain injuries
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9. 1. Fires and Explosions:
• On any given construction site there is a host of
electrical systems, half-completed piping as well as
flammable materials and chemicals.
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10. • While these types of injury may be one of the less
common types of injuries sustained on a construction
site, they can prove fatal.
• To avoid a fire fueled disaster make sure you report
any potential fire hazard to the onsite manager or
supervisor.
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11. 2. Falls:
• These are one of the most common causes of injury
to construction site workers.
• Over half of all reported injuries in the Construction
sector were due to falls.
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12. • Injuries sustained by falls can be split into two
categories.
• The first is a fall from height and the second is a fall
on the same level, also known as slips and trips.
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13. • The reliance on ladders and scaffolding also
increases the risk of falling.
• Although falls are common, there are several
measures that can help minimize the risk of
experiencing a fall.
• These measures include:
– Using appropriate equipment that can
help prevent a fall including
guardrails, harnesses and safety net
systems.
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14. – Keeping the working areas well lit so that any
holes or hazards can be seen easily.
– Maintain a tidy workspace and get rid of any
clutter – materials left lying around are one of the
most common reasons that people suffer trips on
a construction site.
– Ensure workers are wearing the correct footwear
and that said footwear has good traction and grip.
– Follow safety regulations for ladders and
scaffolding.
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15. 3. Getting stuck:
• Construction sites are filled with heavy machinery,
vehicles and large, heavy materials.
• Getting caught in or between any of the above can
result in the worker getting crushed, and potentially
fatally wounded.
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16. • Often these types of accidents occur when materials
collapse onto someone, or a vehicle traps someone
against a wall or a miscalculation results in a worker
getting trapped inside a piece of heavy machinery.
• The best way to avoid such accidents is to always be
aware of your surroundings and follow any safety
precautions that are suitable to the environment
you’re in.
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17. • In order to minimize the risk of getting stuck
employees should never:
– Wear jewelry or long sleeve shirts around
machinery with moving parts.
– Place any part of their body next or on to the
moving parts of a piece of machinery.
– Work in the swinging area of a rotating piece of
machinery
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18. 4. Electrocution:
• Getting electrocuted on a construction site can have
devastating effects.
• It can lead to muscular contractions or spasms and in
some cases, victims can suffer cardiac arrest.
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19. • However, one of the most common injuries sustained
on construction sites as a result of electrocution are
burn injuries.
• Exposed wires or improper use of electrical gear can
spell danger for both an individual and the wider
workforce.
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20. • In order to reduce the risk of suffering an injury as a
result of electrocution, employees should follow
some basic safety measures including:
– Using applicable safety equipment as and when
necessary.
– De-energize equipment after use.
– Maintain a safe distance from energized parts of
machinery.
– Cover or highlight any exposed wiring and keep
them away from liquid.
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21. 5. Struck by an object:
• Tools can slip out of workers hands and strike
someone below, materials and debris can fall onto
workers below and no matter how small the object
may be, if it falls from a great height it can cause
serious injury.
• This highlights the need for all construction site
workers to wear a hard hat at all times.
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22. • As well as wearing a hard hat, workers can also try
the following to help prevent ‘struck-by’ injuries:
– Stack materials properly – this will
help stop them sliding
– Stay clear of suspended loads or
platforms holding heavy materials.
– If applicable, wear the correct
safety equipment including safety
goggles, and high-vis protective
clothing.
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23. 6. Overdoing it, Heat Stroke or Hypothermia:
• Whether you are lifting heavy materials in blistering
heat to ensure the job is finished or working
overtime to ensure the deadline is met, working on a
construction site can be tough.
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24. • Carrying out manual labour in all weather conditions
can take a serious toll on a worker’s body.
• Working in the sun for prolonged periods can result
in heat stroke, which, in severe cases can lead to
heart, brain or kidney damage.
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25. • Meanwhile carrying out construction work in the
winter months always carries the risk of hypothermia
or frostbite which can lead to workers losing their
fingers or toes.
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26. • In order to combat the weather and tough
conditions, it is the duty of the construction company
to provide adequate protection against the elements
in the form of protective clothing, as well as regular
breaks.
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27. 7. Trench collapses:
• Trenches are often a necessity on building sites both
big and small. They are often needed when laying
the foundations of a building.
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28. • If a trench collapses it can cause catastrophic
damage, both to the construction site and the
workers caught up in the accident.
• In some cases, a worker may be struck by the object
that caused the trench to collapse, whilst on other
occasions, the workers can get buried under the dirt
from the collapsed trench.
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29. • In a bid to prevent such accidents occurring, ensure
the trench is fully supported and that the supports
have been constructed properly.
• Any defect in the support structure should be
reported immediately.
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30. 8. Repetitive motion or strain injuries:
• Repetitive strain injuries occur as a result of a
repetitive motion putting pressure on the body’s
bones and muscles.
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31. • Construction activities such as
screwing by hand or sawing by
hand can cause such injuries as
can operating heavy machinery
like jack-hammers.
• In order to prevent this, it’s
important that regular breaks are
taken and that any feelings of
discomfort are reported to the line
manager or site supervisor.
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32. Cost of Accidents
• As a matter of business survival, every contractor
must understand the cost implications of a poor
safety and health program.
• There are two types of cost of accidents such as-
– Direct costs/expenses
– Indirect costs/expenses
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33. 1. Direct costs/expenses:
• Workers compensation insurance purchased by the
employer usually is the principle device used to cover
the direct expense of injury.
• These include:
✓ Medical treatment
✓ Hospitalization where
required
✓ Prescription drugs
✓ A weekly wage
replacement sum
✓ Insurance company
administrative costs and
profit
✓ Rehabilitation expenses.
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34. 2. Indirect costs/expenses:
• It is found that indirect expenses are often more
detrimental than direct expense.
• The Construction Industries Institute Safety Task
Force found in earlier study that the indirect expense
of injury ranged from 2 to 10 times the direct
expense.
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35. • The hidden cost of accidents includes Damages to
tools and equipment, Timely damaged equipment is
out of service, Spoiled work, loss of production,
Spoilage-fire, chemical, explosives etc.
• Failure to fill orders, overhead cost and
miscellaneous-there are atleast 100 other items of
cost that appear one or more times with every
accident.
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36. Precautionary Measures to avoid Accidents
1. Provide safety training for all employees:
• Employers should educate employees on all
workplace safety standards and the hazards that they
may face while on the job.
• Workers need to review the health and safety policies
for each job they are called to do.
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37. • The written safety policy should include procedure
and the name and location of a trained first aid
responder.
• Employees should not operate any equipment they
are not qualified or trained to use.
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38. 2. Hold frequent crew safety meetings:
• At some workplaces these meetings should be held
daily, for example, if high-risk work is being done.
Employees should be reminded to stay focused and
relevant issues should be addressed.
• Real-life factual and job specific safety information
tends to be more motivating for workers.
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39. 3. Utilize protective clothing and gear:
• Workers should always wear the recommended
safety equipment for their jobs.
• This may be a hard hat, high-visibility clothing,
goggles, gloves, steel-toed shoes, or a protective suit.
• In the summer, outdoor workers
need wide brim hard hats, nape
protectors, and long sleeve-
lightweight shirts to protect them
from the sun’s rays.
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40. 4. Keep the workspace clean:
• Keeping work areas clean and free of debris will
lessen the chances of construction worker injuries
and help prevent worksite accidents such as slips,
trips, and falls.
• Employees should store tools and materials when
finished with a job.
• Walkways should be kept clear of debris to prevent
accidents that include slips and falls.
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41. 5. Maintain the Equipment and Tools:
• Before using a piece of equipment or machinery,
workers must ensure it is in proper working order.
• Tools and machinery should be kept on a regular
inspection schedule.
• Broken parts and malfunctioning gear can also cause
serious injuries and deaths.
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42. 6. Prevent falls:
• Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the
construction industry. It is important that workers
are protected from falls on the job.
• The installation of fall protection systems can protect
construction workers. These systems should consist
of such items as guardrails, toe boards, canopy
structures or nets.
• Scaffolding can prevent falls, but must be installed
properly to make sure it is constructed well enough
to hold the intended weight load.
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43. 7. Recognize the hazards and make a plan:
• Before any project starts, the site should be
inspected for any unusual hazards.
• A risk assessment can protect workers’ health and
safety.
• After completing the risk assessment, a list of
preventive measures should be made and
implemented.
• It is important to ensure that all workers receive
appropriate information, education, and training.
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44. 8. Be careful with vehicles:
• Many fatal accidents on work sites involve vehicles.
• Defensive driving, parking and backing should be
practiced.
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45. 9. Use equipment in the manner prescribed:
• If construction tools or equipment is used in ways for
which it is not designed, the manufacturer’s built in
safety features can no longer be relied on.
• Misusing equipment may also damage the
equipment and cause employee injuries.
• The equipment itself should meet OSHA standards.
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46. 10. Follow OSHA guidelines and report any dangerous
working conditions:
• Employers and employees who cut corners on the
procedures and rules of OSHA increase the risks for
construction site injuries.
• Any incidents or violations of OSHA regulations
should be recorded and reported for the safety of all
involved.
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47. Ways to ensure Safety on site
• There are many ways to ensure that proper safety is
provided on the site.
• Following are some of the ways to see how we can
provide safety on the site.
✓Role of designer
✓Safety programme
✓Appointment of safety officer
✓Provision of Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE)
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48. Role of designer
• In the development of a project, a significant role is
played initially by the designer and then by the
contractor of the project.
• Construction worker safety has often been regarded
the sole responsibility of the contractor.
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49. • Despite the obvious reasons for placing the primary
responsibility on the contractor, the safety
performance on a project may well be dictated to a
large extent by decisions made by the designer.
• The designer while design the building may design it
in such a manner that it becomes easy and safe for
the construction of the higher part of the structures.
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50. Safety Programme
• Most of the accidents that take place are mostly due
to the lack of knowledge and skill of the workers and
the supervisor.
• This can be improved by holding a safety training
camps for the whole site staff and workers.
• Specially trained personnel should be hired to hold
safety camps.
• Keep a record of all the accidents that took place.
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51. Appointment of Safety Officer
• A safety officer should be
specially appointed to
take care of all the safety
related issues of the
construction site.
• Appointing such an officer
helps in keeping the
health and safety of the
staff under close watch.
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52. Provision of Personal Protective Equipment’s
• The personal protective equipment’s are the most
basic protection and safety for the workers.
• There are various PPE according to the type of work,
but the few basic PPE are:
✓ PPE for head protection
✓ PPE for eye protection
✓ PPE for ear protection
✓ PPE for hand
✓ PPE for work on higher floors
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55. Occupational Health Hazards
in Construction Industry
➢ Chemical
➢ Physical
➢ Biological
➢ Ergonomic
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56. Chemical Hazards
• Chemicals can exist in the form of
✓ dusts, fumes, fibers (solids)
✓ liquids, mists
✓ gases, vapors
• Welding fumes
• Spray paints
• Cutting oil mists
• Xylene vapor
• Solvents
Examples of
chemical
hazards
found in
construction
work:
• Asbestos
• Lead
• Silica
• Cadmium
• Carbon Monoxide
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57. Physical Hazards
• Physical hazards are different types of energy which
may be hazardous to workers.
✓ Noise
✓ Vibration
✓ Temperature extremes
✓ Radiation
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58. Biological Hazards
• Exposure may occur during demolition, renovation,
sewer work, work on air handling systems, or other
construction work from contact with contaminated
or disease-carrying
✓soil
✓water
✓insects (mosquitoes, ticks)
✓bird, bat droppings
✓animals
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59. Ergonomic Hazards
• Ergonomic hazards can cause painful and disabling
injuries. Example Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) .
• This following situation may causes these injuries:
✓ heavy, frequent or awkward lifting
✓ repetitive tasks
✓ using excessive force, overexertion
✓ using improperly maintained tools
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60. ✓ using wrong tools for the job
✓ awkward grips, postures
✓ using tools improperly
✓ hand-intensive work
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61. Other health hazards
• Living conditions and welfare facilities:
▪ Temporary accommodation
▪ Food
▪ Drinking water
▪ Sanitary conveniences
▪ Facility for clothing
• Work related mental stresses
– Alcoholism and drug addiction
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62. Safety Campaign
• Everyone has the right to go to
work and come home safely
without being exposed to
unnecessary risks and hazards.
• Modern health and safety
standards are built around this
right to be safe at work, and it is
the responsibility of managers
and business owners to ensure
this.
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63. • Those who hold this responsibility should also
regularly reassure employees of this commitment,
which in turn can ensure employee confidence and
dedication to safe working.
• A safety campaign can be one of the most effective
ways to energize employees and get them thinking
more clearly about their own safety, as well as the
safety of others.
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64. • It forms a basis to predict future accident problems
and enables management to control the causes of
accidents on site and establish long-term accident
control.
• These measurement techniques provide continuous
information concerning changes in the safety state
within an organization in operation.
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65. • It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to
focus international attention on the magnitude of
the problem and on how promoting and creating
a safety and health culture can help reduce the
number of work-related deaths and injuries.
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66. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
O.S.H.A.
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67. Why does O.S.H.A. exists?
• Because until 1970, no uniform or comprehensive
provisions existed to protect against workplace
safety and health hazards.
• On average, 15 workers die every day from work
injuries. That’s approx. i.e., 5,400 workers annually.
• Approximately 4 million non-fatal job injuries and
illnesses reported.
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68. History of O.S.H.A.
• OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, an agency of The U.S. Department of
Labor.
• OSHA’s responsibility is to improve worker safety and
health protection.
• On December 29, 1970, President Richard Nixon
signed the OSH Act.
• This Act created OSHA, the agency, which formally
came into being on April 28, 1971.
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69. Mission of O.S.H.A.
• The mission of OSHA is
to assure safe and
healthful working
conditions for working
men and women by
setting and enforcing
standards and by
providing training,
outreach, education and
assistance.
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70. • Some of the things OSHA does to carry out its
mission are:
– Developing job safety and health standards and
enforcing them through worksite inspections.
– Providing training programs to increase knowledge
about occupational safety and health.
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71. How are O.S.H.A inspections conducted?
• The OSH Act authorizes OSHA compliance safety and
health officers (CSHOs) to conduct workplace
inspections at reasonable times.
• OSHA conducts inspections without advance notice,
except in rare circumstances.
• In fact, anyone who tells an employer about an OSHA
inspection in advance can receive fines and a jail
term.
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72. O.S.H.A Inspections Priority:
https://www.osha.gov
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