PSMC

Construction Site Safety

Management

By Shalaka Tawde
Safety in the construction industry
• In terms of the built environment, the term ‘safety’ generally refers to the condition of being protected, or safe,
from hazards and other undesirable events.
• As construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, the positive
control, management of hazards and risks to achieve a sufficiently-high level of safety is very important, and is
often a legal requirement.
• From a safety perspective, a hazard is a condition with the potential to cause physical impairment or health
consequences in people or other types of life.

• Construction site safety is a very important requirement in the construction industry that is often neglected on
project sites.
• Without proper safety regulations employees are prone to minor and major accidents on a regular basis
because of the dangerous and dynamic environment of the construction industry.

Some of the common causes of these and other injuries include:

• Falling objects • Slips on sites
• Exposure to chemical substances • Fire and explosions
• Fall from heights • Electrocutions
• Dust inhalations • Defective Safety Equipments
• Vehicular and equipment accidents • Chemical spills
• Working in confined spaces
Who is Responsible for safety on construction site?

Authorities Company Owners Workers

While authorities are responsible for
monitoring construction sites, the sites as
workplaces have various participants. All
of them are responsible for safety but in
different ways.
Company owners are responsible for their
employees’ safety and compliance with
health and safety laws and
policies. Employers everywhere must put
safety practices in place to provide a safe
work environment and information and
training needed to keep the workers safe.
Workers have to follow laws and the
workplace’s health safety procedures but
also act responsibly and not do anything
that might endanger them or other
people in the workplace.
Construction Safety Management System

Scope of Construction safety management

system:

• Identification of workplace risk when planning

At its core, a construction
work and implementation of appropriate
safety management
controls to avoid personal injury and property
system is a way of
damage.
systematically identifying
• Monitoring of work to provide early detection
hazards and managing risks
and correction of unsafe practices and
on a jobsite. Instead of a
conditions.
backward-looking process
• Implementation of effective communication
of reacting to incidents,
across all levels of the organization.
safety management
• Protecting the adjacent public and private
systems are proactive and
properties.
seek to prevent accidents.
• Providing safety education and incentive
programs.
• Complying with occupational, health, and
safety rules and requirements.
 Construction Safety Management System
A company that does not apply their
safety management system risks a cycle
of unsafe work until a serious accident
takes place. Implementing the SMS
breaks this cycle while reducing
accidents and injuries.
As an actionable system, it is always in motion, developing an ongoing culture of
safety. A good SMS works on the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) method:
1 PLAN 2 DO
Allocate the resources required for Apply the policies and procedures
each stage of the process (hazard company wide, including worker safety
identification, risk management, education and training.
monitoring and improvement) and
compile the elements needed to
complete each phase, beginning at the
highest policy and management levels.
3 CHECK 4 ACT
Measure the effects of Discover problems or deficiencies
implementation against stated goals during checks to renew the cycle as
and metrics. the issue is returned to the planning
stage.
Benefits of Construction Safety Management
1.Saves lives:
• Historically, construction workers suffer more fatal and non-fatal injuries than
workers who belong in any other industry.
• You must introduce appropriate measures to improve safety on-site,
preventing suffering or loss.
• Mitigating the risks for your employees in this context is genuinely a life or
death situation. 

2. Legal Compliance:
A safety management framework - at the very least - allows your company or
organization to meet its legal obligations for local or national health and safety
governing bodies. 

3. Improves Collaboration:
• An overarching safety management system reduces the risk of siloed
information and oversights.
• Often, this comes down to a lack of shared knowledge. By creating one core
safety management system, with procedures and information that are
accessible to everyone, you can drive a culture of safety and transparency. 
 4 pivotal pillars of safety Management System
Within the last few decades, awareness and cost-savings have changed safety management from a collection of
binders on a site-trailer shelf to adaptable, scalable and dynamic solutions. However, no matter which SMS you
choose, it must cover these 4 pivotal pillars of safety:

Safety Policy Risk Management Safety Assurance Safety Promotion

• A strong safety policy
statement issued by senior
management develops a
strong safety culture.
• It includes all the
documentation required for
a safety policy, defining the
management
commitments, safety
accountabilities, emergency
coordination, and safety
activity records. 
• A crucial step to safety • For safety • It means communicating
is risk analysis in management to safety policies and
construction, equipping remain effective, procedures to
those in charge before policies must adapt to management and
incidents occur. new challenges. employees regularly.
• The process starts with • The system should be • You should expect workers
hazard identification continuously assessed, to engage in safety
allowing you to pre- making adjustments procedures, offering
emptively implement according to feedback feedback to management
appropriate safety or audits.  should issues occur. 
measures.
Construction Accidents
Falls:
It makes up about 35% of all construction accidents. These
Though it is one of the most often occur when a worker falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs,
important professions, construction chimneys, etc. Workers can also fall into holes or ditches on a
work is also one of the most construction site.
dangerous.
Getting caught in equipment or machinery:
Using heavy machinery and Workers can get caught between heavy equipment and
constructing large edifices an immovable object. Hence a body part is pulled into
can easily lead to machinery or materials collapse on someone.
accidents and injuries
for the workers.  Electrocution:
Construction work often occurs near power lines
and power sources. Though there are precautions
some accidents and signs it is easy to mistakenly hit power lines
are more common with machinery and equipment.
than others on
construction Struck by an object:
sites. Here are as the impact between a person and an
fatal 4 explained. object or piece of equipment — being hit
by a machine or falling materials, for
example.
 Accidents that occur on the construction site
Understanding and being aware of the potential dangers is one of the most crucial steps of safety management,
so let’s start by looking at some of the most common risks and problems that workers confront on the
construction site.

Demolition Accidents Vibration-Related Injuries Fires and Explosions Exposure to dangerous

chemicals or toxins

• The demolition of a building • vibration-related injuries • Sparks from
refers to the deliberate act occur when construction
of destroying, dismantling, workers operate heavy
or wrecking it equipment such as
• Staircases, walls, or jackhammers or
staircases collapse. bulldozers.
• Particles and debris flying • Training sessions
around. emphasizing the risks of
• Fires and gas explosions. operating heavy
machinery are vital to
ensure workers are aware
of the potential threats.
• Some of the common
construction dangerous substances
equipment and other and chemicals
heat sources can ignite include: Glues, Acids,
flammable materials, Pesticides, Gasoline,
resulting in massive fumes, Hot tars, Carbon
fires. Other possible monoxides, Paints etc.
causes also include • Some common diseases
faulty wiring and the caused by them are lead
mixing of incompatible poisoning, metal fume
chemicals. fever, cancer, and
manganism. 
 Risk Factors & Repercussions
Potential Accident repercussions
• Amputated Limbs
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Back or Neck Injuries
• Spinal cord Injuries
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Brain Injury
• Death
• Long-term impairment
& inability to earn
wages

Who Is at Risk?
Although the conditions vary, the
adjacent are the occupations with
greater number of documented fatal
injuries in the private construction
sector.
 Construction Site Safety Measures: PPE
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes all equipment (even those used to
protect against adverse weather conditions) used to protect employees from
health and safety risks they might encounter at work, including injuries to the
lungs, head, eyes, ears and skin.
• Where required, wearing task-appropriate, well-fitted PPE can be the difference
between life and death in the event of an accident.

Improved Employee No More Prosecutions, Reduction in Staff Turnover: Good Reputation:

Confidence and
Satisfaction:
• When workers feel secure
and comfortable at work,
they experience less stress
and exhibit positive
attitudes towards their
jobs.
• In turn, this leads to a
happier workforce, with
fewer absences and
sickness days.
Fines, and Legal Fees:
• The only way to stay clear of
potential lawsuits and
financial losses is by
ensuring your employees
wear appropriate PPEs at the
workplace to prevent
injuries.
• This can save you from hefty
fines, compensation pay-
outs, or even jail time.
• Protecting employees from
workplace hazards also
reduces staff turnover by
limiting absenteeism due to
injuries or sickness.
• In other words, workplace
safety means your company
enjoys 100% capacity,
increasing productivity and
profitability.
• When you invest in quality
PPEs, you improve your
company's image among
partners and clients.
• Your customers will notice the
difference and will be more
than willing to recommend
your business to others.
• Likewise, you'll begin
attracting investors and
more returning clients,
propelling your growth.
Safety Equipment: PPE
Head Protection
Falling or Flying objects,
Overhead objects
Foot Protection
Falling, rolling, sharp, heavy
objects, wet, slippery, uneven
and hot surfaces, Electrical
hazards
Hand protection
Sharp or hot objects,
Chemicals, biological or
electrical hazards
Eye Protection
Blowing dust or particles,
Metal shavings, acid or caustic
liquids, welding light
Harness Lanyard
Working more than 6 Ft or
more, above a lower level
High visibility Hat, vest,
Pants
Errant vehicles, distracted
drivers
Dust Mask
Protect workers from inhaling
harmful dusts and fumes
Hearing protection
Loud tools and machinery,
poorly maintained equipment
Safety In Excavations
1 COLLAPSE & BARRIER
• Collapsing should be avoided by
supporting the sides by either
battering them or supporting them
Excavation Safety is a
with sheets.
standardized set of safety
• Adding barriers to excavation is an
precautions for trenching
essential precaution to avoid
and excavation to people falling into the excavation.
eliminate hazards and
control risks in compliance
3 AVOID FLOODING
with regulations.
• Flooding can be avoided by
ensuring that there is appropriate
pumping equipment so that any
water that seeps into the
excavation can be easily pumped
out to a safe area.
2 UNDERGR. CABLE PROTECTION
• Cable, pipe, and service plans should
be used to ensure that underground
services are known so they can be
marked on the ground or, ideally, the
area avoided entirely.
• Picks and forks should be avoided as
they are more likely to pierce cables
and pipes.
4 EXCAVATED MATERIAL STORAGE
• Materials from the excavation
should be stored at a safe distance
from the excavation, this will help
reduce the risk of them falling onto
people.
 Electrical Safety
Testing equipment
The electrical power testing
equipment provides the
necessary protection from
unwanted and potential
deadly shocks. Ensure that the
worksite is stocked with
voltage detectors, clamp
meters and receptacle testers.
Equipment use
Using an electrical equipment
at the workplace can end up
becoming a very natural and
comfortable thing for the
workers. Training the staff
properly will help them
identify the unknown
improper shortcuts and thus
reduce the risk of equipment-
related electrocution.  electricity.
Voltage regulators and
circuit breakers
Always use a surge protector
to shut off the worksite’s
power supply during an
emergency. A voltage
regulator helps in preventing
equipment damage over time
or damage during a surge of
Identifying problems
Encourage your workers to
practice identifying any kind of
abnormality or any kind of
electrical hazard, such as
identifying a distinct burning
smell. Make a safety checklist
and incorporate it into your
daily routine.
Work at Height Safety
Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of
occupational fatalities and major injuries. Cases commonly
involve over-reaching, over-balancing or the failure of a
fragile surface. Falls from height can also be due to
unguarded holes in floors such as hatchways, inspection
holes and pits, and from falls into process tanks and
machinery.

Provision of work
equipment to minimize the
distance and consequences
of a fall, e.g. fall arrest
systems; and Instruction
and training and/or other
means.
Ensure equipment is
suitable, stable and
strong enough for the
job, maintained and
checked regularly.
provide protection from
falling objects.
Use ladders or stepladders Where this is not
for strenuous or heavy practicable, measures
tasks, only use them for should be taken to
light work of short minimize the distance and
duration ( for example a consequence of any fall,
maximum of 30 minutes e.g. fall arrest systems,
at a time. safety nets and air bags
Other Safety Measures on Construction Site
Safety Training: Safety Signs:
Reduce Potential Risks:
• Induction training for all workers • All safety signs should be clearly
• Steps can be taken to avoid visible at a construction site.
and employees is critical before additional hazards and risks, such
they start working on site. • Construction management should
as reporting any existing damage place warning signs, safe condition
• High-risk areas and equipment and implementing safety
should be clearly addressed and signs, and caution signs everywhere
measures for the well-being of to raise awareness and highlight
pointed out to all workers, and everyone working on site.
directives regarding emergency any potential dangers for both
protocol should be provided. workers and visitors. 
Security Measures:

• Security supervision and restricted

access should be conducted
around the clock for the
protection of workers, site visitors,
and pedestrians.
• Strict security protocols are
important to protect all parties.
Other Safety Measures on Construction Site
Storage of Dangerous Components:
• Storage of dangerous components
such as chemicals and explosives
should follow all precautionary
guidelines to limit the risk of
injuries, fires, and site pollution.
• Such dangerous components
should have special cabinets and
storage facilities to reduce the risk
of spillage on site.
First Aid:
Keep the Site Tidy:
• First aid kits should be provided in
• Passages should be kept clear all every workplace, and particularly at
the time.
construction sites, first aid
• Sort out materials and pile the equipment has to be readily
mud safely.
accessible.
• The stacks should not be too high. • It’s best to also have a first aid officer
• Beware of floor openings and
on duty during working hours.
ensure that they are fenced or • The number of kits and officers
covered.
should correspond with the size of
• Remove refuse as soon as the site and the scale of the project.
possible.
• Provide sufficient lighting.
• Familiarize with the location and
the operation of fire - fighting
equipment.
Other Safety Measures on Construction Site
Crane Safety:
• Besides safety risks associated with
misused or malfunctioning cranes
– which should be identified during
regular inspections.
•  The crane and surrounding
environment are inspected, work
orders are reevaluated, the swing
radius is barricaded, and crane
operators are instructed not to
swing loads over workers or the
public.
Scaffold Safety:
• Scaffolds should strong enough to
carry temporary loads and free
from unwanted movement.
• Proper erection of scaffolds is
important in preventing hazards.
• There many possible hazards
associated with the temporary
lifts such as platform tip-off,
structural failures, electric shock
etc.  loads..
Forklift Safety:
• only certified professionals can
operate forklifts;
• forklifts need to be maintained; no
modification can be made to the
forklift without prior approval;
• never speed or brake quickly in
slippery areas;
• seatbelts are always worn; and
minimize movement with elevated
Thank You

By Shalaka Tawde