1.

0 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MEASURES

Regarded as one of the most dangerous occupations, construction work

can be considered anything but fully safe. Heights, large and mobile equipment, edges,
deep holes, and wobbling stairs are a reality in many construction sites, no matter how
modern or careful the contractors claim them to be. Obviously, the employers do need
to take care of the safety and security of the workers, but the workers need to keep in
mind a lot of precautions themselves when working in such hazardous conditions.

There are five safety measures every construction worker must take.

Double-Check Your Work Areas

Scaffolds are an integral part of most construction sites and are associated
with a high number of injuries. So when you are going to be working on them, you must
ensure your safety first. Check with your supervisor or find out yourself whether the
scaffold has been inspected by a professional or a competent person. Never work on an
incomplete scaffold which does not have a strong platform or base.

Ladders are other essential construction site tools with a high potential for
danger. Check the ladder thoroughly before using it. If you find any part of the ladder
wobbly, do not us it. A ladder should be of proper strength and of a height that always
keeps it at least one meter above the landing. All of the steps or slabs of the ladder must
be secured properly. The upper and lower end of the ladder should preferably be
fastened or secured properly. If not, ensure there is someone manually keeping it secure
in order to prevent a fall from height.

1
Be Vigilant with Electricity and Equipment

Construction sites require a lot of electrical installations. Lifting equipment

mostly involves electricity and weights. When working with such equipment, you need
to be extra cautious to see there is no wear and tear in the machine and also to follow
the safety precautions listed for the equipment. If you do not know them, seek help and
instructions from a site supervisor or co-worker who has worked with the equipment
before.

If you are using plugged-in portable devices, such as grinders or drills, you
should always check that the cables are protected, the metal casing is grounded, and the
power supply is provided with an earth leakage circuit breaker. Never allow the
electrical tools to come in contact with water.

Never stand or work immediately below a heavy suspended load. And

always check that you are not exceeding the permissible levels of load.

You'll need proper training before operating some equipment, including

a material hoist and a crane. Ensure the hoist is operated only after the gates are locked
properly. Know the working load limits of a hoist and never exceed those limits. Most
importantly, when using material hoists, make sure the communication between you
and the operator are clearly understood. Any error here can cause a major accident on
the site.

Maintain Fencing and Prevent Fires

Notice the number of fatal injuries and falls that happen in areas where
there is no fencing. Dangerous areas that you see without fencing or with broken and
damaged fencing should be avoided until they are completely repaired or a proper
fencing is in place. If this is not happening in time, inform your site supervisor
immediately.

With the machinery that is present, along with combustible chemicals and
welding operations, there is always a possibility of fire on a construction site. Be alert
and take some measures to prevent them. Open flames should be kept away from

2
construction sites because of the presence of flammable materials (especially on oil rig
sites).

All workers should know the escape or exit route if a fire occurs.
Knowing where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them may prove to be very
advantageous in many situations and is therefore highly recommended. Employers
should train workers to use this emergency equipment.

Protective Apparel and PPE

Employers are supposed to provide their workers with proper protective gear and
clothing. If you as a worker do not have them, demand them from your employer and
wear them correctly. Well-fitted helmets and protective eyewear are a must. Ear plugs
or muffs for working in noisy areas and protective gloves when dealing with toxic
chemicals should be worn. Anti-slip footwear and protective apparel are necessary for
those working in toxic or dusty environments. Make sure you wear them. Fall harnesses
are very important for every construction worker. Ensure your harness is sturdy and
secured to a strong anchorage point when you are working at heights.

At sites where there is a lot of movement of heavy vehicles, workers

should wear highly visible clothing so that they can be located and seen easily. Because
construction workers have to be working outdoors regardless of weather conditions,
they also should have some climate protective gear and clothing.

Keep First Aid Close

While it may not be possible for workers to carry first aid supplies with them all
the time, both the site supervisor and contractor should ensure that first aid is always
accessible to the workers. If as a worker you find that first aid you will need is not
around, inform your supervisor immediately. Basic first aid for minor burns, cuts, and
falls should be available on site so that the required medical assistance can be provided
to the workers immediately. This is beneficial to the employer, as well, because this
ensures that after resting for some time, the worker can return to his work as soon as
possible. Some injuries when treated immediately helps in limiting the damage
immensely and prevents infections from spreading.

3
Final Thoughts

A construction worker needs to be careful at all times. Areas that are not properly lit
must be avoided until proper lighting is provided. You should also avoid playing with
work equipment. Always follow instructions during an emergency; if you notice any
unsafe condition, such as a floor opening that is uncovered or not fenced, inform your
co-workers and supervisor immediately. Construction workers play one of the most
important roles in our modern society. It's their job to provide safe buildings, bridges,
and many other assets for society; the workers owe it to themselves and their
employers to work safely

1.1 Basic Safety Philosophy

 All injuries can be prevented

 All operating exposures can be prevented
 Management is responsible for preventing injuries
 Training employees to work safely is essential
 Prevention of personal injuries is good business

1.2 Legal Requirements

 Workers Compensation Act

 Building Codes
 Fire Codes
 Criminal Code
 Workplace Safety and Health Act

4
1.3 Safety sign in construction site

Figure 1.3.1 – Safety sign

5
1.4 Fire extinguisher

Extinguisher Type Colour Suitable for

Soda acid Red Wood, cloth, paper

Foam type Cream/ White Oil fires
Carbon dioxide Black Electrical fires
Dry powder type Blue Any situation
Table 1.4.1 – Fire extinguisher

Figure 1.4.1 –A Water Based Fire Extinguisher

Figure 1.5.2 –A Dry Chemical Based Fire Extinguisher

Figure 1.5.3 –Foam Based Fire Extinguisher

Figure 1.5.4 –A Co2 Fire Extinguisher

6
2.0 OFFICE AND WORK SHOP SAFETY MEASURES

2.1 Health and safety guidance on Workshop Safety

Safety in the workshops is subject to a number of various risk assessments and

safe codes of working practices which have to be observed and adhered to by all
workshop users and enforced by the person in charge of these areas. Due to high risk
activities taking place in the workshops access to these areas is restricted to authorised
personnel only. No other person may enter the workshops without permission.

2.2 Workshop equipment and tools

 No machine may be used or work undertaken unless the technician-in-charge is

satisfied that the person is capable of doing so safely. If equipment is fitted with
guards these must be used. Equipment must never be used if the safety guards
have been removed.
 Any person working in the mechanical and electronic workshop must have read
and signed the appropriate risk assessment if the work or equipment they are
using has been risk assessed. Risk assessments are kept in a filing cabinet within
the mechanical workshop.
 No person shall mount any abrasive wheel unless he/she has been trained in
accordance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
Grinding machines shall only be operated by technical staff and eye protection
must be worn.
 Service records of all machine tools, plant and equipment must be kept. They
must list the date of any service/repair and name of the person responsible for
carrying out that service/repair. Faults which cannot be repaired immediately
should be reported to the technician-in-charge and a note should be attached to
the machine where it is clearly visible indicating that the equipment is out of
order.
 All Portable Electrical Equipment must be regularly inspected and tested for
electrical safety.
 Lifting equipment must be registered with the University’s Engineering Insurers
and be subject to annual inspection.
 All air receivers must be subject to a thorough examination at the statutorily
required intervals.
 Where applicable suitable Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) must be used. The LEV
systems must be subjected to a thorough inspection and test at least once every
14 months.

7
  Ladders/stepladders should be individually identified and formal inspections
carried out.
 No welding may be undertaken unless the technician-in-charge is satisfied that
the person is capable of doing so safely. During any welding operation the fume
extraction system must be used.
 When using woodworking machines the dust extractor and face masks must be
used.
 Equipment must be cleaned after use. Any materials, tools or equipment used
must be tidied away.
 Precision measuring equipment, drills, etc. must be replaced in their appropriate
cabinets after each working day.
 Tools and equipment must not be removed from the workshop without
permission from the technician-in-charge.

2.3 Workshop practices and personal protective equipment

 Eating and drinking in the mechanical workshop areas are strictly prohibited.
 When working with machine tools or other equipment with rotating spindles,
jewellery, loose clothing etc. are prohibited and long hair must be completely
covered.
 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is supplied and must be used where
necessary. Barrier cream, lab coats/overalls, eye and hearing protection, dust
masks and safety shoes must be used as the work/risk assessment dictates.
 Lab coats/overalls and safety boots must be worn by technicians operating the
machines.
 The gangway through the workshop must be kept clear. Any oil spillage, grease
etc. must be cleaned up immediately.
 No hazardous substance to health can be used before a COSHH risk assessment is
undertaken and a safe system of work issued to the users.

8
 Figure 2.3.1 –Unsafe scaffolding and unsafe welding

NOT CORRECTCORRECT
Figure 2.3.2 –Proper store management

9
3.0 PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES

3.1 Personal protective clothing and eqiupment (PPE)

 Eye protection
 Respiratory protection
 Ear protection
 Face protection
 Head protection
 Hand protection
 Foot protection
 Body protection
 Fall protection

Figure 3.1.1 –Safety equipment uses

10
Figure 3.1.2 –Safety Equipment

11
4.0 COMMENTS AND CONCLUSION

There can be a lot of competing interests when it comes to the construction

industry. Clients want structures built to their needs and want it done now. Firms must
balance budgets and schedules with quality work to deliver on the promises they made
when they won the bid. These competing interests can have a big impact on everyday
decisions. However, one thing that should remain constant throughout the entire
process is the health and safety of those both directly and indirectly involved in the
project.

Work sites can be dangerous places due to the number of people running around
trying to get their job done and the amount of heavy-duty machinery being operated at
any given time. That means there is an ever-present chance of serious injury not only for
workers, but also site visitors and those living, travelling and working around sites.

Engineers, project managers, design drafters and others need to visit sites
regularly to do their jobs. There’s a good chance they might not know much about the
power tools and large machinery in use every day. The same goes for people going
about their daily routines near work sites. Working on large projects in busy urban
environments can be especially dangerous, as there might be smaller buffers between
dangerous debris and passerby. That is why those working in such areas must always be
aware of their surroundings.

One thing that can help everybody avoid tragic injuries is training. Workers
brought on to construction projects should have a solid overall understanding of the site
and the other work taking place around them. For example, knowing when large
concrete trucks are going to be on site will heighten the awareness of everybody even if
they are not directly involved with that task. One of the most important parts of site
foreman jobs is to make sure the workforce is kept up to speed on such developments
and knows what to do in case of an emergency.

In addition to the harm caused to the person injured, unsafe activity can end up
costing valuable time and money that can ruin carefully planned budgets and schedules.
Getting the injury taken care of and making up for the lost time can hurt efficiency.
Although secondary to the wellbeing of workers, this is yet another reason why health
and safety are so important when it comes to construction.

Construction jobs require you to be on your toes at all times to avoid injury to
yourself or others. Occupation Health and Safety (OH & S) professionals are vital to any

12
project, as they make sure all health and safety regulations are being followed by
workers and visitors alike. There is no excuse for poor safety practices on a job site.
While efficiency and production are definitely key considerations, the overall health of
all those directly and indirectly involved with a build takes priority.
Finally when we consider this construction site, they follow the correct safety
measures and they think safety is the first.

5.0 REFERENCES

 http;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/concrete
 Google image search
 Google satellite Map Search
 Technical guide line

13