Construction Health and Safety

Source:
Charles Ebbet, 1932

Prepared by:- Biniyam Asefa

1. INTRODUCTION

construction is a vast and an active sector, which is a backbone of the world’s economy in
general and Ethiopia in particular; mobilizing an enormous amount of various resources and
budgets and embracing huge manpower by creating a large job opportunity. The construction
industry is divided into three major segments. Construction of buildings contractors or general
contractors builds residential, industrial, commercial, and other buildings.

Annually, throughout the world, an estimated number of 271 million people suffer with work-
related injuries, and 2 million die as a consequence of these injuries. The estimated economic
loss caused by work-related injuries and disease was equivalent to 4 % of the world’s gross
national product.

The improvement of safety, health and working conditions depends ultimately upon people
working together, whether government, employers or workers. Safety management involves the
functions of planning, identifying problem areas, coordinating, controlling and directing the
safety activities at the work site, all aimed at the prevention of accidents and ill health. Effective
safety management has three main objectives: to make the environment safe; to make the job
safe; and to make worker safety conscious.

The causes of accident and ill health in the industry are well known. Falling from heights, such
as scaffolding, is one of the biggest problems, along with accidents involving transport, both on
and off site. Dermatitis, occupational deafness, and asbestosis are among many occupational
diseases that continue to cause long term suffering for many workers in the industry.

There is a good reason construction workers are asked to wear hard hats, gloves, safety goggles,
and various other safety equipment while on the job; construction sites are dangerous, filled with
heavy and sharp objects, platforms of varying heights, flying sparks and debris, and a number of
other potentially dangerous elements. It is no wonder so many injuries occur on construction
sites unfortunately, too many workers are either unaware of the risks, or exhibit a high risk
tolerance, often coupled with an opposition to what they see as burdening or cumbersome safety
equipment.

The construction industry, employing the largest labor force, has accounted for about 11% of all
occupational injuries and 20% deaths resulting from occupational accidents. International Labor
Organization estimates that at least 60,000 fatalities occur at construction sites around the world
every year. This means that one fatal accident occurs every ten minutes in the sector. Most of
these accidents are created due to unsafe behavior and unsafe conditions. Hence, health and
safety problem in building construction is the major and worldwide issue which needs strong
consideration since it affects the life of the workmen (manpower), project time, project cost and
also project quality.
1.1 History/Evolution of Safety & Health at work Place

Birth & Evolution of Modern Safety Movement

 Mid-19th century - compensation law to provide protection of Industrial workers

 In the first days the scope was restricted to accident prevention

 Later days the scope was extended to protect workers’ health

 Early days concern & focus was on Industry/ factory and Mines

 Replaced with occupational, attempting to embrace all types of employment

/International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization (WHO)/

2. Construction Health &Safety Rules and Regulations

Safe and healthy working conditions do not happen by chance. Employers need to have a written
safety policy for their enterprise setting out the safety and health standards which it is their
objective to achieve. The policy should name the senior executive who is responsible for seeing
that the standards are achieved, and who has authority to allocate responsibilities to management
and supervisors at all levels and to see they are carried out.

Nearly 6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the nation on
any given day. The fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national
average in this category for all industries. Potential hazards for workers in construction include:

 Scaffold collapse
 Falls (from heights)
 Trench collapse
 Electric shock and arc flash/arc blast
 Failure to use proper personal protective equipment and, repetitive motion injuries.

2.1 Construction health and safety rules in Ethiopia

The fundamental law of the state which is the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic
of Ethiopia, the Civil Code (Proclamation # 165/1960) together with the Labor Code
(Proclamation No 377/20003) are the general legal basis for health and safety rules in Ethiopia.
Numerous articles/provisions are provided under these general laws regarding health and safety
of people.

Labor Code ensures worker-employer relations and enables workers and employers to maintain
industrial peace. It strengthens and defines the powers and duties of the organ charged with the
responsibility of inspecting labor administration, particularly labor conditions, occupational
safety, health and environment. The following provisions are set: Article 92 clearly spells out the
fundamental obligations of an employer with regard to putting in place of all the necessary
measures in order to ensure, workplaces are safe, healthy and free of any danger to the well-
being of workers. In the same article the employer is obliged to take, in particular the following
measures to safeguard the health and safety of the workers:

 To comply with the occupational safety and health requirements provided for in the
proclamation; take appropriate steps to ensure that workers are properly instructed is
notified concerning the hazards of their respective occupations and the pre cautions
necessary to avoid accident and injury to health. Ensure that directive are given and also
assign safety officer, establishes an occupational, safety and health committee, provides
workers with protective equipment, clothing and other materials and instruct them of its use,
obliged to register and notify to the nearest labor inspection services occupational accident
and diseases) arrange according to the nature of the work at his/her own expense, for the
medical examination of newly employed workers, and for those workers engaged in
hazardous work as may nearly, take appropriate pre-executions to ensure that all processes
of work shall not be a source or cause of physical, chemical, biological, ergonomically and
psychological hazards to the health and safety of the workers.

Article 93 provides the obligations of workers pertaining to the required co-operation and putting
into practice of the regulation and instruction given by the employer in order to ensure safety
health and working conditions at work places. The law has clearly stipulated about occupational
injuries with all other related provisions.

2.2 Basic Rules for Safety

Tidy up construction sites

 Keep passages clear all the time.
 Sort out materials and pile them up safely. The stacks should not be too high.
 Beware of floor openings and ensure that they are fenced or covered.
 Remove refuse as soon as possible.
 Provide sufficient lighting.
 Familiarize with the location and the operation of fire-fighting equipment.

Safety measures
 Before you operate a machine, ensure that the dangerous part of the machine has been
installed with a guard.
 Avoid going to any area with insufficient lighting as there may be some dangerous places
which have not been provided with fencing.
 Keep vigilant all the time and watch out for moving cranes, hooks or other lifting equipment.
 Before you use any electrical installation or tool, check the condition of its electric cables.
 Avoid dragging electric cables on the ground or allowing the cables to come into contact
with water.
 Use electrical tools installed with an earth leakage circuit breaker.
 Use and handle chemicals with care.
Personal Safety
 Wear protective equipment.
 Do not drink or take drugs while working.
 Pay attention to personal hygiene.
 Do not play in the workplace.
 Report to your supervisor immediately if you notice any unsafe condition.

3. The Cost of Safety

In an Industry where controlling cost & time in projects is significant factor, it is not possible to
ignore economic argument on safety prevention Assigning monetary value to unwanted &
unplanned occurrence / ILO definition of Occupational accident/ is a challenge;
 Material loss with no injury occurrence ( easy to assess)
 direct & indirect costs
 Human loss or injury occurrence (Difficult to assess)
 ethical pitfalls
 legal ramification
 direct & indirect cost /Compensation/
4. Workplace Safety

4.1 Falsework, scaffold and fencing

Falsework
If you are engaged in falsework operation, you should:
 Check whether the falsework is erected in accordance with the design.
 Make sure that the falsework is securely erected.
 Check whether the struts of the falsework are secure.
 Ensure that the props are erected vertically and arranged at a suitable distance in a row.
 Report to your supervisor when any unsafe situation is found.

Fig.2. Falsework

Scaffold
 Do not use scaffolds unless they have been erected by trained workmen and under the
supervision of a competent person.
 Do not use a scaffold unless it has been inspected and certified safe by a competent person
before use.
 Strictly follow the instructions of a competent person. Do not alter the scaffold unless
authorized to do so. Do not work on an unfinished scaffold.
 When it is necessary to work on a mobile scaffold, lock the wheels of the scaffold before
you start working.
 Do not work on a scaffold unless it has been provided with a suitable working platform.
 Fig. 3. Scaffolding

Fencing
 Do not work in a dangerous place unless its floor edges and openings have been installed
with secure fencing.
 If you notice any dangerous places that have not been installed with fencing or the fencing
has been damaged, reinstall or repair the fencing. If this is beyond your capability, inform
your supervisor at once.

Fig. 4. Temporary fencing

Ladder
 Use a ladder which is of good construction, sound material and adequate strength.
 Examine the ladder before using it and inspect it at regular intervals.
 Place the ladder on a level and firm footing.
 Place the ladder at an appropriate angle.
 Ensure that the ladder has a sufficient length. The upper end of the ladder should be at least 1
meter above the landing against which the ladder leans.
 Do not use a ladder unless its upper or lower end has been securely fixed or secured by
another worker.
 If there are electrical installations nearby, do not use metal ladders.
 If work is carried out 2 meters or more above the floor, use a suitable working platform.

Fig.5. ladder set up

4.2 Equipment and Electricity

Lifting Appliance and Gear
 Do not operate a lifting appliance unless trained. In the case of a crane, a certificate is
required.
 Before using lifting gear such as hook, shackle or chain sling, check whether there is any
wear and tear.
 Check the weight of the load to be lifted.
 Do not exceed the safe working load of a lifting appliance or lifting gear.
 Adopt the correct lifting method.
 Do not use a lifting appliance or lifting gear unless it has been examined and certified safe by
a competent examiner.
 Do not use a lifting appliance unless it has been regularly repaired and maintained by a
competent person. No unauthorized repair is allowed.
 Follow the safe working instructions of the manufacturer of a lifting appliance.
 Do not work beneath any suspended load.

Material Hoist
 Do not ride on a material hoist.
 Do not operate a material hoist without prior proper training.
 Do not exceed the safe working load of a material hoist.
 Do not use a material hoist unless it has been examined and certified safe by a competent
examiner.
 Do not use a material hoist unless its gates have been installed with an effective interlocking
safety system. The hoist is only operable after all the gates have been closed.
 Do not use a material hoist unless it has been repaired and maintained by a competent person.
No unauthorized repair is allowed.
 Do not put loose materials into receptacles unless properly secured.
 Ensure good communication with the operator of a material hoist. All signals should be
understood and followed.

Loadshifting Machinery
 Unless you are a worker concerned, do not work in an area where a loader, an excavator, etc.
is in operation.
 Do not operate any loadshifting machinery without training and approval.
 Operators of forklift trucks, bulldozers, loaders, excavators, trucks or lorries should possess
appropriate certificates.

Electric Tool
 Before using an electric tool, check the tool and its plug and connecting cable.
 Do not use a damaged tool.
 Do not use an electric tool unless its connecting cable is well protected.
 Do not use an electric tool unless its metal casing is earthed and its power supply is provided
with an earth leakage circuit breaker.
 Do not repair or alter any electrical installation unless competent to do so.
 If you meet any fault or problem, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Fire Risk
There is always a fire risk. However, the chances of fire can be reduced, and you will know what
to do when a fire breaks out if you:
 Always keep the workplace clean and tidy.
 Handle machinery and tools that may generate sparks or heat carefully.
 Do not smoke or use naked flames in any area where flammable and explosive substances are
stored.
 Know where fire extinguishers are located and how they are used.
 Know the place of assembly for fire evacuation.

5. Principles of safety
 An unsafe act, an unsafe condition, and an accident are all symptoms of something wrong in
the management system.
 We can predict certain sets of circumstances will produce severe injuries which can be
identified & controlled / Prevention /
 Safety should be managed like any other company function. Management should direct the
safety effort by setting achievable goals & by planning, organizing and controlling to
achieve them.
 The Key to effective line-safety performance is management procedures that fix
accountability
 The function of safety is to locate and define the operational errors that allow accidents to
occur. This function can be carried out in two ways;
 by asking way accidents happen – searching for the root causes
 by asking whether certain known effective controls are being utilized
 The causes of unsafe behaviour can be identified and classified. eg. Overload- each cause
can be controlled.

In most cases, unsafe behaviour is normal human behaviour; it is the result of normal people
reacting to their environment. Management’s job is to change the environment that leads to
unsafe behaviour.

 There are three major subsystems that must be dealt with in building an effective safety
system;
a. The physical
b. The managerial &
c. The Behavioural
 The safety system should fit the culture of the organization

There is no one right way to achieve safety in an organization; however, for a safety system to be
effective, it must meet certain criterions. The system must:

 force supervisory performance

 involve middle management
 have top management show visible commitment
 have employee participation
 be flexible
 be perceived as positive
6. Causes of Accidents
Failing to follow the basic principles of safety will lead to accidents caused by unsafe acts of
workers or co-workers, unsafe conditions, management action/inaction , workers attitude and
stress level to which they are subjected, etc.

Accidents are the result of chain of sequential events; Dominos Theory, Heinrich, 1931
Accidents are the result of chain of sequential events;

Dominos Theory, Heinrich, 1931

1. Social environment and ancestry

2. Fault of a person

3. Unsafe act and or unsafe condition

4. Accident and

5. Injury

Common causes of accidents which can occur in construction sites;

 Lack of planning & organization

 Defects in technical planning

 Fixing unsuitable time limits & targets too difficult to achieve

 Assignment of work to incompetent contractors

 Insufficient or defective supervision

 lack of cooperation among different crafts

 Inadequate examination of equipment

 Inadequate preparation for work

 Inadequate instructions concerning work

 Employment of unskilled or insufficiently trained workers

 Inadequate supervision of work

 workers irresponsible behaviour, unauthorized action and carelessness

 Faulty construction such as collapse of walls and other building parts

  Lack of necessary equipment & use of unsuitable equipment

 Structural or other defects in equipment being used

 Lack of safety devices or measures

 Unsuitable building materials and

 Defective processing of building materials

 Collapse of stacks, masses of earth, etc.

 Collapse of Overturning of ladders, scaffolds, stairs, beams, etc.

 Fall of objects, tools, pieces of work, etc.

 Fall of persons from ladders, stairs, roofs, scaffolds, buildings, through some openings, etc

6. Key Functions of safety management systems

Planning for safety

o developing a safety & health policy

o periodic evaluation of policy

o setting goals for safety

o creating budget for safety related expenditures

Organizing for safety

o development of safety organization structure

o defining the roles and responsibilities

o delegating authorities

o education & training for safety

Directing function

o Developing a proper communication system

 o standard operating procedures

o safety manual

Coordinating & controlling various safety issues

o constitution of a safety committee

o Define mechanism for accident reporting, investigation, record keeping, etc.

o Safety Policy

o Safety Budget

o Safety Organization

o Education & Training

o Safety Plan