Major hazards of construction

⚫ Falls

MODULE 3 ⚫ Electrocution

⚫ Being struck by
falling objects

⚫ Trapped during
excavation

Fall Protection Fall Protection

This section will discuss: ⚫ Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the
construction industry
⚫ Conditions that required use of fall protection ⚫ Conditions that required use of fall protection
⚫ A fall from as little as 4-6 feet
⚫ Options available to protect workers • Can cause loss of work
• In some cases death
When fall protection is needed? Fall protection and prevention options
⚫ Walkways & ⚫ Roofs ⚫ Safety Nets
ramps ⚫ Wall openings ⚫ Hand Rails
⚫ Open sides & ⚫ Safety Harness
⚫ Bricklaying
edges (PFAS)
⚫ Residential ⚫ Equipment guards
⚫ Holes Construction ⚫ Fall protection
⚫ Concrete forms & systems must be in
rebar place before work
⚫ Excavations start

Personal Fall Arrest System, PFAS Guardrails

⚫ Must be properly ⚫ Top rail between 39
trained to 45 inches tall
⚫ Key requirements ⚫ Toeboards at least
• No free fall more 3 inches tall
than 6 feet • Top rail
• Must be inspected • Mid Rail
prior to use • Toe board
• Safety line must be
able to support 5000
lbs
Safety Nets Falling Objects
⚫ Used to catch falling ⚫ Hardhats are required
workers
⚫ Placed not more ⚫ Use of canopies is
than 30 FT below authorized
work area
⚫ Placed not more ⚫ Barricade the area to
than 8-13 ft from prevent unauthorized
edge of working
area entry

ARE YOU WORKING ON A TRENCH

SUMMARY OR DIGGING YOUR GRAVE?

⚫ A fall of 6 ft or more protection is needed

⚫ Use fall protection on:

⚫ Walkways, ramps, open sides, edges, excavations,

13
 TRENCHING & EXCAVATION EXCAVATION HAZARDS
HAZARDS Risks
⚫ Risks of excavation
⚫ Most hazardous construction
⚫ How to protect employees from
operation
cave-ins
⚫ Cave-ins are the greatest risk
⚫ Factors that pose a hazard to
⚫ Most accidents occurred in
employees working in excavation
5-15 ft deep
⚫ Role of competent person

EXCAVATION HAZARDS EXCAVATION HAZARDS

Employee Protection Protective System Design

⚫ Employees should be protected from caves-in ⚫ A well designed system will have a correct
by using a well designed protective system design of sloping and benching systems

⚫ Correct design of support systems

⚫ Systems must be able to support expected ⚫ Handle materials and equipment

loads to the system
 EXCAVATION HAZARDS Inadequate Worker Protection
Employee Protection
⚫ Protect employees from potential
cave-ins

⚫ Slope or bench sides of

excavation
⚫ Place shields between the side
of the excavation and work area

Factors that pose hazards to Types of Protection

employees Trench Shield

⚫ Soil classification
A trench shield
⚫ Depth of cut was built around
this work area
⚫ Water content of soil

⚫ Changes due to weather and climate

⚫ Other operations in the vicinity

21
 Hydraulic Jacks Egress Systems

This ladder does not meet the

Hydraulic Jacks ⚫ A stairway, ladder, requirements of the standard
or ramp must be
⚫ Easily dropped in
present in
place and excavations that are
adjusted 4 or more feet deep,
⚫ Trench pins and within 25 feet of
installed in case the employees
of hydraulic failure ⚫ Must extend 3FT
above excavation

22 23

EXCAVATION HAZARDS EXCAVATION HAZARDS

Competent Person Competent Person
• Must have had specific training in and be • A competent person must make daily inspections
knowledgeable about: of excavations, areas around them and protective
systems:
• Soils classification
• Before work starts and as needed
• The use of protective systems • After rainstorms, high winds or other occurrence
• The requirements of the standard which may increase hazards
• When you can reasonably anticipate an
• Must be capable of identifying hazards, and employee will be exposed to hazards.
authorized to immediately eliminate hazards
 SUMMARY

• The greatest risk in an excavation is a cave-in.

• Employees can be protected through sloping,
shielding, and shoring the excavation.
• A competent person is responsible to inspect the
excavation.
• Other excavation hazards include water
accumulation, oxygen deficiency, toxic fumes,
falls, and mobile equipment
 Basics of Shoring Safety
• Shoring systems are used to support structures to prevent
them from collapsing during construction.
• Shoring is most commonly used during the earliest phases
of construction; when walls or structures are undergoing
reinforcement, during excavation, or when a nearby
structure needs to be demolished (to prevent the shored
building from crumbling along with it).
• Shoring systems usually support either buildings or
trenches. For buildings, a shoring system such as piles and
lagging support the surrounding loads until the
underground levels of the building are completed and can
bear the weight of the rest of the building.
• For trenches, the shoring system steadies the trench walls
to prevent cave-ins and keep workers safe.

When installing and using shoring, it’s vital to follow all state, provincial, local, and federal regulations to ensure
worker safety. Here are a few general guidelines that cover the basics of shoring safety:
7. Inspect the shoring system through the duration of a project. If there’s any doubt about the safety of the

1. A qualified person should survey the jobsite for hazards that could cause issues with the shoring system. If shoring, stop use immediately and contact a qualified supervisor.

hazards are uncovered, they should be corrected as needed. 8. Shoring systems should not be used for fall protection. Furthermore, workers should not use shoring

2. Plan the shoring’s installation in advance. This includes ensuring that the right equipment is available to safety systems if they feel dizzy or lightheaded.

finish the work. 9. Do not climb on the cross braces.

3. Inspect all equipment before use. If a defect is found, the affected item should be removed and repaired. 10. Periodically adjust uneven grade conditions, and plumb and level shoring frames as the erection proceeds.

Defective equipment should never be used. Do not force braces on frames; level the shoring towers for the proper fit.

4. Obtain a shoring drawing from a qualified professional. The drawing should be used onsite at all times. 11. Follow proper safety practices during dismantling. Nothing should be removed from the shoring system

5. Handle the shoring equipment with care, and only use the equipment as it was intended. until a qualified supervisor has given their approval.

6. Don’t erect, dismantle or alter the shoring equipment without the approval of a qualified supervisor.
 Ladder safety

• Ladders can pose serious potential

for a fall if used improperly or in an
unsafe manner.

• OSHA estimates that, for general

industry companies, falls from
ladders account for 20% of fatal This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

and lost workday injuries.

Ladder setup Ladder setup

Ladder inspection
First, choose the right Questions to ask Ladder label Skid resistant footing
ladder. • What height will I have to reach Free of defects Free of slipping hazards
and work at?
• What should I check before
using the ladder?
• What type of material should it
be made of?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

These Photos by Unknown Author are licensed under CC BY-SA

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

 Safe use of ladders Safe use of ladders
Ensuring the ladder is secure Ensuring the ladder is secure
• Extension ladders need to have Extension ladders
Folding ladders • Folding or A-frame ladders should
be fully extended and the arms non-slip bases or spikes.
locked into place.
• The proper use of straight or
• Be careful of pinch points which are extension ladders requires the
any places where parts come user to place the ladder in such a
together and present a possibility manner as to prevent the ladder
for injury. from sliding/falling.

• Never use a step ladder as an • The ladder base should be 1 foot

extension ladder out for every 4 feet up; it should
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA extend 3 feet above the roofline. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

Safe use of ladders Additional safety tips

• The base of a ladder must rest on a firm,
Working safely from ladders level footing.

• Never step above the labeled • If working on uneven levels, use an

maximum height on your ladder. extension to level out your ladder.
This Photo by Unknown Author
is licensed under CC BY-SA

• The “belt buckle rule”; keep your • Ladders must be tied, blocked, or
body centered between the rails otherwise secured to prevent them from
of the ladder at all times. slipping.

• Avoid setting up a ladder in a doorway or

• Always face the ladder and use
other high traffic areas.
the 3 point rule when climbing or
descending.
• Additionally stabilizers can be used to
secure them while working This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Additional safety tips
TUNNELLING

• Do not leave a ladder

unattended.
• Never try to combine or tie
ladders together or stack them
on anything other than the
ground.
• Ensure all ladder locks are
engaged before using.
• Never climb an extension ladder
while hand-carrying tools or
material

These Photos by Unknown Author are licensed under CC BY-SA

HAZARDS IN TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND WORKS

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN TUNNELLING
 BLASTING

Blasting is a process of reduction of rocks or hard soil into fragments with the help of explosives. The blasting

operation involves drilling of holes, installation of a detonator and charge, detonating the charge, and removal of

debris.

Safety Precautions before Blasting

 Demolition or Dismantling
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Demolition or dismantling refers to breaking up of buildings , structures either fully or partially.

• Precautions during demolition has three goals:

1. specifically aimed at safeguarding the personnel on the site.

2. safeguarding of persons not connected with demolition including the general public and

3. the protection of the property likely to be effected by demolition operation.

• The causes of accidents to workers involved with demolition are fall from heights, falling materials, inadequate

access, over-fragile materials etc. Premature collapses due to incorrect dismantling, over loading or excessive pre-

weakening feature particularly during demolition.

 Before you conduct any work in Confined Spaces
Common confined space hazards

Confined Space Safety Precautions

• Where possible, avoid entry to confined spaces. Establish if the work is really necessary or if it can be done in

another way that avoids the need to enter.

• If entry to a confined space is unavoidable then you must follow a safe system of work. Have emergency

procedures in place before work starts.​ The results of your risk assessment will help you identify the risks

and necessary precautions.

 Confined Space Safety Precautions (contd.)
Confined Space Safety Precautions (contd.)

Confined Space Safety Precautions (contd.)

Confined Space Safety Precautions (contd.)
 Confined Space Safety Precautions (contd.)
Introduction
Ergonomics
“The scientific discipline concerned with
understanding of interactions among
humans and other elements of a system,
and the profession that applies theory,
principles, methods and data to design in
order to optimize human well-being and
overall system performance”

87
PPT 10-hr. General Industry – Ergonomics v.03.01.17 Created by OTIEC Outreach Resources Workgroup

Introduction Introduction
Ergonomics means Why is ergonomics important?
“fitting the job to the worker,”
• Overexertion leading cause of injuries
including: – Most costly
• Work stations – Recurring/Persistent pain may develop in
• Tools future
• Equipment • Bodily reaction is another leading cause
of injuries in workplace
Ergo = Work • Repetitive motion also within top 10
most common workplace injuries
Nomos = Law

88 89
PPT 10-hr. General Industry – Ergonomics v.03.01.17 Created by OTIEC Outreach Resources Workgroup PPT 10-hr. General Industry – Ergonomics v.03.01.17 Created by OTIEC Outreach Resources Workgroup
 Musculoskeletal Disorder

• Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are injuries and disorders that affect the human body’s movement or

musculoskeletal system (i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.).

Common musculoskeletal disorders include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : A numbness and tingling in the hand and arm caused by a pinched nerve in
the wrist.

• Tendonitis : inflammation or irritation of a tendon

• Muscle / Tendon strain

• Ligament Sprain

• Tension Neck Syndrome

Other common names for MSDs are “repetitive motion injury”, “repetitive stress injury”, “overuse injury”
and many more.
• Thoracic Outlet Compression : a group of disorders that occur when blood vessels or nerves in The Cause of Musculoskeletal Disorders – Exposure to Risk Factors
the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis • These risk factors can be broken up into two categories:

• Epicondylitis 1. work-related (ergonomic) risk factors

• Radial Tunnel Syndrome 2. individual-related risk factors

• Digital Neuritis

• Trigger Finger / Thumb

• DeQuervain’s Syndrome

• Mechanical Back Syndrome

• Degenerative Disc Disease

• Ruptured / Herniated Disc,

• and many more.

Work-related Risk Factors

There are three primary ergonomic risk factors.

• High task repetition. Many work tasks and cycles are repetitive in nature, and are frequently controlled by
hourly or daily production targets and work processes. High task repetition, when combined with other risks
factors such high force and/or awkward postures, can contribute to the formation of MSD. A job is considered
highly repetitive if the cycle time is 30 seconds or less.
• Forceful exertions. Many work tasks require high force loads on the human body. Muscle effort increases in
response to high force requirements, increasing associated fatigue which can lead to MSD.

• Repetitive or sustained awkward postures. Awkward postures place excessive force on joints and overload
the muscles and tendons around the effected joint. Joints of the body are most efficient when they operate
closest to the mid-range motion of the joint. Risk of MSD is increased when joints are worked outside of this
mid-range repetitively or for sustained periods of time without adequate recovery time.
 Individual-related Risk Factors
Human beings are multi-dimensional. Limiting ourselves to a singular cause of MSDs will limit our ability to create a
prevention strategy that addresses the multi-dimensional worker.

• Poor work practices. Workers who use poor work practices, body mechanics and lifting techniques are introducing
unnecessary risk factors that can contribute to MSDs. These poor practices create unnecessary stress on their bodies that Familiarization with relevant Indian Standards and the National Building Code provisions on
increases fatigue and decreases their body’s ability to properly recover. construction safety. (to be Included………………)

• Poor overall health habits. Workers who smoke, drink excessively, are obese, or exhibit numerous other poor health
habits are putting themselves at risk for not only musculoskeletal disorders, but also for other chronic diseases that will
shorten their life and health span.

• Poor rest and recovery. MSDs develop when fatigue outruns the workers recovery system, causing a musculoskeletal
imbalance. Workers who do not get adequate rest and recovery put themselves at higher risk.

• Poor nutrition, fitness and hydration. For a country as developed as the United States, an alarming number of people
are malnourished, dehydrated and at such a poor level of physical fitness that climbing one flight of stairs puts many
people out of breath. Workers who do not take care of their bodies are putting themselves at a higher risk of developing
musculoskeletal and chronic health problems.