Principles of Hazards Management in

construction sites
 Principles of Hazards Management in
construction sites
• Construction sites are hazardous sites due to
–A rapidly changing work environment (dynamic….)
–labor intensive work activity, with a large percentage of
unskilled labor
–Work activities usually involve a sense of urgency …
 Principles of Hazards Management in
construction sites
• Additionally Unsafe behaviors of workers,
Unsafe work methods and practices etc
and the use of unsafe materials may
make the site hazardous
 Hazards in Construction Sites

• the major causes of accidents in

construction sites may be categorized into
the following (four) areas
 Construction Sites
–Falls: falls from elevation are from roof and scaffolds
–Struck by : caused by heavy construction equipment such
as trucks, graders, cranes, or scrapers and also from
materials poorly rigged or improperly stored
–Caught in-between: such as the collapse of excavation or
trenches, Caught between a moving piece of equipment
and another surface
–Electrocution: involves contact with live electrical parts.
Most frequently through contact with high voltage lines,
usually contacted by a piece of construction equipment
such a crane or an aerial lift
Safety, Health and the Environment in Construction

• It is therefore necessary to control these hazards

and avoid accidents
• This is achived by implementing and enforcing an
occupational safety and health program
• These requires that hazards are identified and
mitigated (managed).
 Hazards in Construction Sites

–These factors and their combination

expose workers to hazards and job-
related accidents and diseases making
the construction site a dangerous place
 Hazards in Construction Sites

• Therefore One of the most important

elements of a workplace safety and health
program (including Construction sites) is
developing an effective system to identify and
control hazards, that may cause injuries and
illnesses.
 Hazards in Construction Sites

• Developing such a system usually involves

a general assessment of the particular site
for potential hazards, specific identification
of potential/actual hazards and taking
steps to prevent/control them from
occurring
 Hazards in Construction Sites

–potential hazards must be

•Assessed,
•Identified and
•Prevented from occurring….
 Hazards in Construction Sites

This is called Job Hazard assessment

Procedure
 Hazards in Construction Sites
Job Hazard Assessment:
–A thorough examination of an operation to
identify the actual and potential hazards
– prior to
• work commencing and
• whenever the work or work environment
changes.
Hazards in Construction Sites
• Safety Hazards (Contd..)
• work at height (ex: work done on scaffolds or ladders)
• ejection of material (ex: from moulding/formwork operations)
• pressure systems (ex: steam boilers and pipes)
• Equipment operation and maintenance (ex: vehicles, forklifts
and trucks)
• materials falling from height, rolling, shifting or caving in
• Ergonomic problems
• workplace violence
Job Hazard Identification
 Job Hazard Analysis
• A job hazard analysis is a technique that
focuses on job tasks as a way to identify
hazards before they occur.
–It focuses on the relationship between the
worker, the task, the tools, and the work
environment (www.doas.georgia.gov/risk).
 Identifying the Hazards

• A job hazard analysis target is to discover the

following:
–What can go wrong?
–What are the consequences?
–How could it arise?
–What are other contributing factors?
–How likely is it that the hazard will occur?
 Identifying the Hazards
• A job hazard analysis includes assessing
– Uncovering hazards that may have been overlooked in design
– Examining the work site and the work steps
– Determine essential steps of a job and Identify hazards that
result from the performance of the actual job
• Identify conditions and operations where changes might occur
to create hazards
• This will result in a comprehensive baseline survey for safety
and health
 Identifying the Hazards
Hazard identification is carried out on a regular manner as
the work progresses. This will included Investigating
accidents and “near miss” incidents, so that their causes
and means for prevention are identified
Additionally injury and illness trends are investigated, so
that common cause patterns can be identified and
prevented
Job Hazard Analysis: hazard Identification

•There are two basic ways of identifying and

mitigating hazards
• Proactive (Prevention based)
• Reactive approaches
•What resources will help us identify
hazards?
Proactive (Prevention based) Hazard Identification
 Job Hazard Analysis: hazard Identification
• There are a variety of resources at your workplace to help you identify
hazards. Proactive approaches include:
– Regulations – regulations will list specific hazards that need to be
addressed in your workplace. Usually this is done by prescribing what
needs to be in place to protect against those hazards.
– Codes of practice/ Guidelines – these will describe industry practices
used to protect against common hazards.
– Education: education about hazard control, evolving technology and
workplace safety and health,
Job Hazard Analysis: hazard Identification

• Hazard Identification support resources (Contd..)

• Standards – standards prescribe what measures must be taken
to prevent the exposure to hazards
• Material safety data sheets (MSDS) will identify hazards
associated with the controlled product you are using.
• Consultation –consultation with workers who work with or
near the hazards, experts such as engineers, maintenance
people and manufacturers of equipment or materials
Reactive Hazard Identification
 Identifying and Controlling Hazards
• Reactive resources include:
– Incident statistics/trend analysis – reviewing the statistics and incident patterns
will help you identify the types of hazards that are causing incidents.
– First aid records – your records will show the injuries requiring first aid treatment.
You can then identify the hazards.
– Education – providing training after incidents occur .
– Experience – if there was a previous experience with a specific hazard, it is more
likely to be identified in the future.
– Consultation –consultation with workers who are working with or near the
hazards, experts such as engineers, maintenance personnel or manufacturers of
equipment or materials you are using.
Identifying the Hazards: Risk Assessment
 Identifying the Hazards: Risk Assessment
• Once the hazards are identified, the next step is to assess
which risks are the greatest, or identifying the priorities
• Risk can be defined as the possibility of adverse consequences.
When determining risk, you need to consider:
– severity - how seriously would workers be harmed, or property be
damaged or lost if exposed to the hazard
– probability - how likely it is that an injury or illness will result from
exposure to the hazard
– frequency – how often a worker is exposed to the hazard.
 Hazard Risk Assessment
• The aim of the risk assessment process is to evaluate hazards,
then remove that hazard or minimize the level of its risk by
adding control measures, as necessary.
• The goal is to try to answer the following questions:
– What can happen and under what circumstances?
– What are the possible consequences?
– How likely are the possible consequences to occur?
– Is the risk controlled effectively, or is further action required?
 Hazard Risk Assessment

After hazards are identified, and the possible

risk levels and likelihood of occurrence
evaluated, the next stage is to take action to
eliminate/ Control them or reduce risk.
 Hazard Control
(Hierarchy of Hazard Control)
Hazard Control
• Once the hazards are identified and the level of risk
prioritized, the next step will be to devise means of
controlling these hazards.
• There are a number of ways to control hazards/risk.
These are collectively known as the hierarchy of
control and their order is indicated by their
effectiveness.
Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Elimination
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Elimination
–Elimination
• The best way to improve safety in the workplace is
to eliminate the hazard by removing the hazard
completely. This is the highest and most effective
control.
– This could include stopping the use of a hazardous
chemical or changing the way you do a job to avoid
danger. Or eliminating the risk of a fall from height by
doing the work at ground level
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Elimination
• Elimination removes the hazard at the source.
• This could include changing the work process
–Examples include stopping the use of a toxic
chemical, heavy object, or sharp tool.
–It is the preferred solution to protect workers because
no exposure can occur
Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Substitution
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Substitution
–Substitution
• Similar to elimination
–To replace a hazardous item or procedure with one that
is less hazardous/ safer option.
–For example replacing old equipment/device with
newer ones.
–Using electric motors to replace one operating with
petrol or diesel, or using equipment that are less noisy
Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Engineering Control
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Engineering Control
• Engineering control
– Where hazards cannot be controlled by other means, a safe
workplace can be created by development of effective
guards, ventilation, barricades
– engineering controls that physically change a machine or
work environment to prevent employee exposure to the
hazard
– modifying equipment or the workspace, using protective
barriers, ventilation
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Engineering Control
• Engineering Controls : Example
– Working at heights: Install guardrails and covers over holes.
– Respiratory: Increase ventilation with fans or ducting for
indoor hazards. Implement a dust control system that uses
water to settle particulates on the ground for outdoor
hazards.
– Skin exposure: Implement a see-through barrier between
the workstation and the hazard to minimize your risk of a
chemical splash.
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Engineering Control
• Administrative controls include the following
–Engineering includes “Designing for safety”
–Taking safety as a core element in project design.
–At design stage the materials to be used, the work methodologies
and other relevant inputs can be geared to consider safety
(Designing out Hazards)
–Instituting a safety Management plan (safe wok methods, Safe
Work permits, Safety induction, PPE in Bid documents and as part
of the contract )
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Engineering Control
• Engineering controls include
–mechanical devices such as hoists to move
heavy loads
–trolleys
–Installing physical guards around moving
parts of a machine.
Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Administrative Control
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Administrative Control
• Administrative controls are measure instituted in workplaces
through providing changes in work procedures so that
exposure to hazards is minimized.
• This includes reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of
exposure to hazardous chemicals or situations. This is achieved
through work practice controls which are intended to reduce
the likelihood of exposure by changing the way a task is
performed.
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Administrative Control
• Administrative measure in instituting safety and
health at the work place include
• Preparing a comprehensive policy for work place safety,
• Developing and implementing a training and education
program,
• developing safe work procedures/methods and practices,
work permits
• Providing signage
• Enforcing safe and healthy work practice
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Administrative Control
• Administrative controls include…(Contd…):
– Safety and health rules for employees.
– Exposure time limitations (used most commonly to control
heat stress and ergonomic hazards);
– Monitoring the use of highly hazardous materials;
– Alarms, signs, and warnings;
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Administrative Control
• Education includes:
• training people in safe procedures and practices (Working at heights)
• Safe Work Methods: teaching people how to perform a job correctly and safely
( Reduce your time exposure to the hazard )
• Proper Product use: teaching workers how to use a product safely
• teaching people what hazards exist in a product, process, or task and how to take
appropriate protective actions
• Skin exposure: adhering to information/guide in material safety data sheet
(MSDS)
• Electrical: Use a lock-out/tag out system to ensure no energy source is present.
• training engineers about hazard recognition, hazard evaluation, Prevention:
compliance with safety standards, and legal responsibilities
 Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
 Hierarchy of risk Control

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

–PPE provides the last barrier to exposure from a
hazard. PPE controls are often used in
conjunction with administrative controls. PPE
should always be considered as the last form of
control
 Preventive Strategies: PPE
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is acceptable as a control
method in the following circumstances:
– When engineering controls are not feasible or do not totally
eliminate the hazard;
– While engineering controls are being developed;
– When safe work practices do not provide sufficient
additional protection; and
– During emergencies when engineering controls may not be
feasible.
 Preventive Strategies: PPE
• PPE Examples
– Working at heights: Use a fall arrest system with a full-body
harness and energy-absorbing lanyard.
– Respiratory: Wear a respirator to protect yourself from
hazardous gases, vapours and particulates.
– Skin exposure: Wear protective clothing and gloves.
– Hearing protection: Wear ear muffs or earplugs to block out
sound.
Hierarchy of Hazard Control
Enforcement
 Preventive Strategies

• Enforcement : is achieving compliance with

laws and regulations, with standards and
with company rules and procedures
–Responsible and effective Involvement of Safety
Officers from MoLSA, Clients, Contractors,
Consultants
Safety: Hazard Communication (Haz-Com)
OSHA Office of Training and Education
 Hazard Communication
• Employees have both a need and a right to know the
hazards and identities of the chemicals they are
exposed to when working
• Employees also need to know what protective measures
are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring
 Hazard Communication
• Hazard Communication ensures that employers and employees
know about work hazards and how to protect themselves so
that the incidence of illnesses and injuries due to hazardous
chemicals is reduced. This includes
– Hazard Communication Program
– Container Labelling
– Material Data Sheets (MSDS)
 Hazard Communication
• Workers have the “The Right To Know” say about Chemical
Hazards.
• Workers also need to be trained to understand container
Labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) etc
• This will assist them in working safely.
• Safety professionals must ensure this is carried out
 Hazard Communication: Employer Responsibilities

• Identify and list hazardous chemicals in their workplaces

• Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and labels for each
hazardous chemical, if not provided by the manufacturer,
importer, or distributor
• Implement a written HazCom program, including labels,
MSDSs, and employee training
• Communicate hazard information to employees through labels,
MSDSs, and formal training programs

OSHA Office of Training and Education 59

 Material Safety Data Sheets
• Identity of Material and Manufacturer
• Hazardous Ingredients
• Physical and Chemical Characteristics
• Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
• Reactivity Data
• Health Hazard Data (Limits, Symptoms, etc.)
• Precautions for Safe Handling
• Control Measures and First Aid
 Hazard Preventive Strategies
• In summary Prevention Strategies focus in
• determining that a hazard or potential hazard exists
• Where feasible, preventing hazards by effective design of
job or job site
• If the hazard cannot be eliminated, use hazard controls
• Apply Engineering Controls
• Eliminate or control hazards in a timely manner
• Use PPE
• Enforce