Chapter 14 Construction Safety and Health By: Justin Maloney, Casey Wofford, Alex Serrano, and Cedrick Winslow

Cost of Accidents ► Insurance ► Indirect costs of injury  Productivity  Personnel time  Damaged Property  Retraining Replacement Workers ► Loss of Job Profits

Cost of Accidents Cntd. ► Workers Comp Insurance  Costs ► Liability  Lawsuits  Costs ► Penalties  Fines ► Public Relations

The Cause of Accidents Safety Equipment Use Lack of Training Drugs Alcohol Safe Layout

Types of Accidents Trench Safety Lifting Falling Objects Cuts Machinery Proper Use of Equipment

Occupational Health and Safety Administration In 1970, the federal government passed the OSHact to ensure that workers have consistently safe work environments Provides standards and rules for healthy and safe work environments, tools, equipment, and processes OSHA conduct investigations to make sure its standards are being followed. If violations are found, inspectors will likely issue a citation and/or penalties.

OSHA Regulation Sections CFR 1910 Contains general industry safety and health standards Ex: Hazardous materials, protective equipment, medical and first aid, etc. CFR 1926 Contains the occupational and health standards for the construction industry Ex: Welding and cutting, steel erection, excavation, welding & cutting, etc.

Compliance with OSHA Regulations Random inspections, respond to workers complaints When a citation is issued, the company is required to correct deficiencies If an accident occurs, an investigation and a fine will commence ($1,000 - $70,000)

Benefits of OSHA In the last 30 years there have been a 60% decrease in fatalities and 40% decrease in injuries The U.S. employment has almost doubled (56 million to 105 million) OSHA partnering with industries continue to implement new ways of minimizing accidents

Safety Programs The most effective method of reducing accidents in the workplace is through safety programs. The most effective method of reducing accidents in the workplace is through safety programs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates the development of a safety program; but for the program to work, it must have the total support of management. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates the development of a safety program; but for the program to work, it must have the total support of management.

Corporate programs usually have the following components: Corporate programs usually have the following components: Layout the responsibility of the top executives in regard to safety Layout the responsibility of the top executives in regard to safety Identify methods of measuring performance Identify methods of measuring performance Institute control measures through supervisory personnel Institute control measures through supervisory personnel Define reporting requirements in the event of an accident Define reporting requirements in the event of an accident Develop safety training for employees Develop safety training for employees Institute disciplinary warning Institute disciplinary warning Provide incentives for those who achieve high standards of safety Provide incentives for those who achieve high standards of safety

A strong corporate safety program is the foundation of the site program. A strong corporate safety program is the foundation of the site program. Corporate programs should have feedback from the sites concerning critical areas for training and any ideals about methods of prevention to be effective over time. Corporate programs should have feedback from the sites concerning critical areas for training and any ideals about methods of prevention to be effective over time. The site safety program specifically explains the work that must be done at the site both before and during construction itself. The site safety program specifically explains the work that must be done at the site both before and during construction itself. How materials are handled and stored and how rubbish is collected should involve minimum conflict with one another and with other work activities. How materials are handled and stored and how rubbish is collected should involve minimum conflict with one another and with other work activities.

Signs, barricades, police details temporary lighting, walkways, and overhead protections all play a part in protecting the public. Signs, barricades, police details temporary lighting, walkways, and overhead protections all play a part in protecting the public.

Employee Orientation It has been shown that most accidents happen because of a lake of knowledge on the workers behalf. For the first 90 days of employment an employee is at the greatest risk to have a accident. Each new employee should go through two levels of training 1.The company level safety training should involve the day to day safety expectations. Some basic overall expectations are: The Job site is to be clean at all times Smoking is only permitted is designated areas All personal protective equipment is to be worn at all times Drugs and Alcohol is forbidden on site

Employee Orientation 2. All employees should be trained on the hazards and safety requirements that exist for that specific job site. Because each job site differs all employees, not jus new employees, should go through a job site specific orientation. Some site specific safety rules and hazards are as follows: Respirators are to be worn when using hazardous chemicals Respirators are to be worn when using hazardous chemicals Fall restraint should be worn when there is a potential fall of six feet or more Fall restraint should be worn when there is a potential fall of six feet or more What chemicals are present and where to find MSDS sheets What chemicals are present and where to find MSDS sheets What are the emergency procedures What are the emergency procedures

Accident Prevention Many accidents can be prevented by simply having a good hazard communication plan. All employers should make sure that each employee has access to all safety material and understands it. All communication plans should include the following basic information. –MSDSs on file at the job site –A universal labeling system for all chemical labels –Employee training on how to handle chemicals All subcontracts that bring hazardous chemicals onto the job site should follow the safety rules set up by the general contractor

Universal Chemical labels

Preventive Devices Along with training, protective devices can aid in the elimination of hazard and making workers more productive. Fall Protection: This is required when there is a potential for a fall of six feet or more. Fall protection systems include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall restraints. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE is required on all construction sites. This equipment consists of hard hat, safety glasses, steel toe boots as well as some specialized equipment.

Preventive Devices Cont. ► Fire Protection: Flammables and combustibles should be kept in special containers to prevent harm, as well as kept away from any potential hot work. ► Signs, Signals, and Barricades: These inform works and the public of hazardous conditions when they can not be avoided.

Safety Meetings Safety Meeting should be held on two levels 1.The safety team or committee should meet once a month to discuses the following:  Report of any accident or near miss with review of corrective action  Review of new regulatory activity  Results of project safety audits 2.There should be weekly and/or daily tool box meeting to inform workers of any specific hazards, or changes to the job that affect safety

If an Accident Occurs OSHA requires that all employers have a written emergency plan in place and that all employees are familiar with it. An emergency plan should contain at least the following: Who and how to call for help Method of sounding the alarm to evacuate the area Escape Routes and Procedures in the event of an evacuation Designation of a person to administer first aid Location of first aid kit Rescue methods in the event of a specific type of accident Designation of a person who will perform the rescue What to do if a chemical spill occurs

Accident Investigation When an accident does occur it is important to find the root cause of why the accident occurred. This will help insure that there are no similar accidents in the future. An investigation should be preformed for accident as well as all near misses. Accident investigation procedures should include:  Clear the scene of all nonessential personnel and rope off the area  Protect the scene, leaving everything as is  Photograph or videotape the scene  Interview those involved separately and as soon as possible after the Occurrence After the investigation corrective action should taken in order to correct any unsafe conditions or attitudes that might have lead to the accident.

Safety isn't a hobby, it's a living