TM420

INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN

CONSTRUCTION SITES

Typical Annual Construction

Accidents in U.S.

Nearly 200,000 serious injuries

1,000 deaths

Introduction
High standards of safety should be an
objective pursued in the same way
and with as much vigour as other
management objectives.
Apart from the humanitarian aim of
ensuring the well being of all
concerned, it is obvious that accidents
and illness mean additional costs and
perhaps disruption of the contract

Considering Safety During

Design Offers the Most
Payoff
High

Conceptual Design
Detailed Engineering

Ability to
Influence
Safety

Procurement
Construction
Start-up

Low

Szymberski (1987)

Project Schedule

Improving Safety

The contractor can assist in the

prevention of accidents and therefore
improve overall contract performance
through the following methods:
Effective Communication with
the work force on accident prevention
is often a key to a successful
approach to safety improvement.

Improving Safety

Record Keeping of type

of accidents that occur most
frequently and why they
occur puts you in a better
position to prevent them as
you know what you are
fighting against.

Improving Safety

Motivation of the workforce

besides general steps such as
providing information on accidents
and their causes and consequences,
some special motivation measures
can be introduced, such as organizing
a safety bonus for the workers or
gangs with the best accident record.

Improving Safety

Use of Safety Equipment

make sure that safety equipment
is available when and where it is
needed, insist that it is always
used, and take disciplinary
action against workers who
refuse or frequently forget to use
the equipment

Ways in which Accidents

may occur
Through the collapse of walls, parts
of buildings (during demolition),
stacks of materials or stockpiles of
excavated materials.
Through the collapse or overturning
of ladders, scaffolds, stairs or beams;
By fall of objects, tools or pieces of
work.

Ways in which Accidents

may occur
By fall of persons from ladders,
stairs, roofs, scaffolds or building
through hatches or windows or
through other openings during
loading, unloading, lifting.
Carrying and transporting loads
on or in connection with vehicles.

Ways in which Accidents

may occur
On lifting appliances
On welding and cutting equipment
On Compressed air equiment
By combustible, hot or corrosive
materials
By dangerous gases
During using hand tools
By stepping on sharp objects.

Causes of Accidents

Poor planning or Organisation

Defects in technical planning
providing low capacity equipment
lets say a 10 tonnes crane in a
place where there are 12 tonne
loads those on site may turn a
blind eye on the difference.

Causes of Accidents

Poor planning or Organisation

Fixing unsuitable time limits so that the
workforce have to work excessive
overtime to keep to schedule. TIREDNESS
IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS
Assigning work to incompetent
contractors/ workers;
Insufficient or defective supervision of the
work.

Causes of Accidents

Poor planning or Organisation

Lack of cooperation/coordination of
work between different trades.

Causes of Accidents

During the Execution of the

Work
Construction defects;
Use of Unsuitable materials
Defective processing of materials..

Causes of Accidents

Equipment
Lack of Equipment
Unsuitable equipment
Defects in equipment
Lack of safety devises or measures

Causes of Accidents

Management and Conduct of the

Work
Inadequate preparation of work
Inadequate examination of equipment
Imprecise or inadequate instruction
from supervisors.
Unskilled or untrained operatives
Inadequate supervision.

Causes of Accidents

Workers Behaviors
Irresponsible Acts;
Unauthorized acts;
Carelessness.

Towards an OSH Policy

OSH should be a vital component of any

contractors operations.
It should include

safety of employees,
accident prevention,
protection of project facilities and
equipment from misuse/damage, and
protection of the general public who come
into contact with contractors operations.

Towards an OSH Policy

All accidents are caused they dont
just happen. The company objective
should be to seek out these causes and
devise protective measures and promote
a safety minded working attitude at all
levels within the company.
Accident prevention must be instilled
into the company's culture and
thereby become a way of conducting
business.

Towards an OSH Policy

Contractors management and site
supervisors must acknowledge that
safety is an integral and inseparable
component of company operations.
The proper direction and instruction of
employees will ensure hazards are
identified and measures adopted to
eliminate or minimize any inherent
risks.

Simple OSH Programme for a

Contractor

Key Components

Meaningful new worker orientations;

Effective daily crew safety briefings;
Effective weekly safety meeting for
all employees;
Daily work site inspections to
monitor work place conditions and
activities.

Simple OSH Programme for a

Contractor

Key Components

Work hazard analysis prior to

commencing a phase of work or
task to identify and control.
Comprehensive and timely near
miss and accident investigation
which focus on root cause and
prevention measures.

Simple OSH Programme for a

Contractor

Key Components

Safety incentive programmes to

heighten awareness and to achieve
greater degree of worker commitment
to the company safety programme.
Safety training for first line supervision
that stresses diligence, persistence
and leadership in all safety matters.

Simple OSH Programme for a

Contractor

Key Components

Meaningful rehabilitative works

policy and programme for injured
employees.
Safety audits designed to ensure
programme compliance with
emphasis on identifying areas for
improvement.

Simple OSH Programme for a

Contractor
The programme should focus
responsibility for ensuring all work is
performed in a safe manner on those
persons who have a direct impact from
line supervision and individual employee.
Active participation and leadership of
front line supervision is critical to the
success of the companies OSH
programme.

OSH Policy
Any OSH Policy should be committed
to providing a safe and healthy work
place for all who come into contact
with company operations.
It should be based on a sincere
desire to eliminate personal injuries,
occupational illnesses, and property
and equipment damage.

OSH Policy

It should

Protect the health and safety of all

employees and all other individuals
(including employees of your
clients and subcontractors) that the
company deal with or are affected
in one way or another by the
company operations.

OSH Policy

It should

Comply with all relevant statutes,

regulations, standards of
government agencies and
regulatory authorities relevant to
occupational health and safety;

OSH Policy

It should

Give priority to safe working conditions

and safety practices in the planning,
budgeting, direction and implementation
of the company activities.
Formulate and carry out continuing
effective health and safety programmes
and procedures appropriate to the
Company operations

Duties and Responsibilities on

OSH Matters

Responsibility for the quality and

maintenance of the OSH programme lies
with each person within the company
However, in line with the priority
accorded by the Company on OSH
matters, someone in higher position in
the company should be answerable on
all matters related to OSH.

Duties and Responsibilities on

OSH Matters
Management should be committed to
the health and safety of employees
and other people involved in the
company operations as provides of
services to the company or recipient
of company services.
Primary goal should be the provision
of an accident and industrial disease
free work environment.

Duties and Responsibilities on

OSH Matters

This can be accomplished by ensuring that

hazards are guarded against or eliminated ,
safe procedures are established, and polices
and rules are developed and maintained.
Supervisors shall ensure that employees are
properly trained and aware of work
procedures, the related hazards and
regulations. It is also the responsibility of the
supervisor to observe, enforce and follow-up
that each employee is adhereing to the edicts
of this training

Duties and Responsibilities on

OSH Matters

Every employee, including those

of subcontractors, must follow the
established work procedures,
comply with all pertinent
regulations, and cooperate in
achieving the goal established by
OSH policy

Specific Responsibilities

Employees including subcontractors

Comply with the companys OSH

programme and procedures;
Seek Guidance from their immediate
supervisor concerning safety related
knowledge and skills required to
ensure safe performance on the job.

Specific Responsibilities

Employees including sub-contractors

Attend safety training programmes

and meetings as assigned;
Immediately report to their
supervisors any work related accident,
injury or near miss accident.
Immediately report to their supervisor
any hazardous work practice or work
condition.

Specific Responsibilities

Employees including subcontractors

Comply with the OSH policies and

programmes of organisations,
particularly the Clients the
company associate with.

Specific Responsibilities

Managers and Supervisors

Provide safe working conditions and

practices at work site;
Comply with the Company OSH
programme and procedures.
Orienting employees to the OSH
requirements and resources related to
the job and work site.

Specific Responsibilities

Managers and Supervisors

Arrange training sessions and conducting

meetings as required with immediate
staff in order to communicate OSH
information, concerns, work habits,
policies and procedures, and to promote
OSH consciousness of the job.
Ensuring that investigations are being
conducted in the case of work related
accidents or incidents.

Specific Responsibilities

Managers and Supervisors

Immediately report any work related

accident, injury or near miss accident
through the appropriate administrative
channels.
Conducting inspections of the work place at
appropriate intervals to ensure the existence
of safe working conditions, methods,
practices, procedures, equipment and tools
for all work performed by the company

Specific Responsibilities

Managers and Supervisors

Taking immediate action to correct any

unsafe working condition, method,
practice, procedure, equipment or tool
contrary to the company OSH programme
and procedures.
Assessing the health and safety
performance of employees as part of their
regular performance appraisal process.

Specific Responsibilities

Managers and Supervisors

Consulting with employees to assess

health and safety related knowledge
and skills required to ensure safe
performance of the employee on the
job, arranging training as appropriate,
and taking necessary corrective
action.

Specific Responsibilities

Managing Director and other

Directors

Ensuring that managers and

supervisors fulfil their responsibilities
as set above;
Incorporating adequate provisions for
safe working practices and conditions
in company procedures, programmes
and projects;

Specific Responsibilities

Managing Director and other Directors

Conducting management OSH meetings as

appropriate to review OSH procedures ad
performance and to determine necessary
course of action.
Monitoring, evaluating and reporting
recommendations to the appropriate Board
of Directors on OSH performance in
accordance with the Company OSH policy
and programme

Specific Responsibilities

Managing Director and other

Directors

Assist health and safety personnel as

required in the investigation of
accidents
Developing health and safety plans for
the company and include any budget
requirements in the regular company
budgetary process

SOME SLOGANS ON
SAFETY
SAFETY
IS NO
ACCIDENT!
SAFETY IS UP TO
YOU!
DONT BE HALF SAFE!
BE ALERT STAY
ALIVE!
TEAMWORK
PREVENTS
ACCIDENTS!

ALCOA Safety Policy

ALCOA Safety Policy

ALCOA
Policy

(CEO Paul Oneal)

Safety

Zero Is Possible
Zero work-related injuries and illnesses have
been long-standing goals for Alcoa. But when
zero first became the target, it seemed
unreachable. "Accidents are inevitable" was
often the response.
They're not. We can attain zero. It is possible,
and, in many locations, it is already here thanks
to dedicated effort and a firm commitment to
our core values, one of which is to work safely,
promote wellness, and protect the environment.

ALCOA Safety Policy

As of Wednesday, January 21, 2015,

10:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT),
Alcoa's lost workday (days away) rate for
2015 stands at 0.000, and the 2015
DART (days away plus restricted and job
transfer) rate stands at 0.030. Alcoa
calculates and publishes these rates in
real time. Each represents the number of
injuries and illnesses cases per 100 fulltime workers

ALCOA Safety Policy

In the 12-month period endingDecember 31, 2014:

42.7% of Alcoa's 185 locations worldwide had zero

recordable injuries; 49.2% had zero days away,
restricted, or transferred; and 80.5% had zero lost
workdays.
99.6% of our employees had zero days away, restricted,
and transfer incidents.
99.9% of our employees had zero lost workdays.

Working in teams and as individuals, we can build

on this outstanding effortand see zero extended to
every Alcoa location, every day.

EXTRA MATERIALS
ON HEALTH AND
SAFETY

Construction Health and Safety

Radhlinah Kunju Ahmad

([email protected])

Source:
Charles Ebbet, 1932

Learning outcome
At the end of the lecture, students should be able to:
Understand the different types of existing hazards on
site
Comprehend the diferent types of accident
measurement approach
Reflect on the Swedish construction accident records
Appreciate the importance for improving health & safety
in construction
Undertake the techniques of improving health & safety in
construction
Understand the existing legislative framework
Understand an accident analysis if required.

Definitions

Safety is free from risk and danger.

Accidents is defined as an unexpected and

desirable event resulting in damage or harm.

Hazards is an unsafe condition or activity,

that if left uncontrolled can contribute to an
accident.

Risk is the assessment of probability of loss

and potential amount of loss.
(concise Oxford Dictionary)

Common situation on a construction

site

Construction work is dynamic, diverse, and

constantly changing in nature.
Constantly changing job site environments and
conditions
Multiple contractors and subcontractors
High turnover; unskilled laborers
Constantly changing relationships with other work
groups
Diversity of work activities occurring
simultaneously
Construction workers are at risk of exposure to
various hazards and risks that can result in injury,
illness, permanent disability, or even death.

Types of hazards

Chemical

Physical

Biological

Ergonomic

Chemical Hazards
Chemicals can exist in the form of
dusts, fumes, fibers (solids)
liquids, mists
gases, vapors
asbestos

Examples of
chemical
hazards
found in
construction
work:

lead
silica
cadmium
carbon
monoxide

welding fumes
spray paints
cutting oil mists
xylene vapor
solvents

Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are different types of energy which
may be hazardous to workers.

Noise
Vibration
Temperature extremes
Radiation

Biological Hazards
Exposure may occur during demolition, renovation,
sewer work, work on air handling systems, or other
construction work from contact with contaminated or
disease-carrying

soil
water
insects (mosquitoes, ticks)
bird, bat droppings
animals
structures

Ergonomic Hazards
Ergonomic hazards can cause painful and disabling
injuries till example Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
. This following situation may causes these injuries :
heavy, frequent, or awkward lifting
repetitive tasks
awkward grips, postures
using excessive force, overexertion
using wrong tools for the job
or using tools improperly
using improperly maintained tools
hand-intensive work

Types of accident measurements

Death
Fatal injury (broken leg, hips, amputation)
Non-fatal injury (finger cut)
Occupational accidents (MSD, hearing loss)
Absence from work ( >1 day, > 3 days etc)
Near misses
Rate per 100 000 number of injuries or
causes of ill health per 100 000 employees.
Working days lost days off work due to
workplace injuries & work-related ill health

Other health hazards

Living conditions and welfare facilities

Temporary accomodation
Food
Drinking water
Sanitary conveniences
Facility for clothing

Work related mental stresses

Alcoholism and drug addiction

Personal protective clothing and

eqiupment (PPE)

Legal requirements
Eye protection
Respiratory protection
Ear protection
Face protection
Head protection
Hand protection
Foot protection
Body protection
Fall protection

Construction accident record for 2005

(Samuelson & Lundholm, 2006)

Causes of construction accidents 2005

Samuelson & Lundholm, 2006

Existing health & safety legislations in practice

ISO

EU

Sweden

UK

ISO
BS8800

Framework
Directive
Council
Directive
89/391/EEC

The Work
The Health and
Environment Safety at Work
Act
Act 1974
(1997:1160)
The
Construction
(Design and
Management)
Regulations
1994

Malaysia
The Health
and Safety
at Work Act
1994

Reasons and benefits to improve

health and safety in construction

Responsibility;

Economic reasons;

Impact of safety on overall performance;

Contractors performance;

Control of accident causes.

Responsibility

Safety is everyones responsibility.

It is a moral and legal obligation of employers to

provide a safe working place and of employees to
work safely.

Employers duty of care to employees as covering the

following areas:
safe system of work;
a safe place of work;
plant and machinery that is safe to use;
competent supervision and/or suitable training; and
care in the selection of fellow employees.

Costs of accidents
direct costs and indirect costs

Direct costs
The direct costs are insurance. These include medical costs and
others workers compensation insurance benefits as well as
liability and property-damage insurance.
Indirect costs
Below are the lists of indirect costs:
Transportation costs include the cost of emergency
transportation, together with the cost of other personnel that
were necessary to get to the injured worker to proper medical
facilities

Wages paid to injured worker for time not worked include all the
time in which the worker was not actually doing his or her job
and for the wages paid.

Cost incurred because of delays which resulted from accident other

crews affected or delayed; equipment idled; duration of project
lengthened; plus all wages, rental fees and indirect supervision
costs that occurred as a result of the accident.

Costs of overtime necessitated by accidents overtime occurred

because of the accidents
Loss of efficiency of crew decrease of crew efficiency due to low
morale or reshuffling that might occur to replace an injured worker.
Cost to break in and/or teach replacement worker hiring new worker
would include training and orientation
Costs for clean-up, repair or replacement and stand-by costs
normally accidents involves spillage, cave-ins vehicle damage,
material wastage or site clean-up

Extra wage costs, slower returned worker normally when a

worker return to the job site and is partially and/or
temporarily disabled, the worker is probably working at a
different, less demanding job or less efficient at the former
job.
Costs to reschedule work include time spent to review and
reschedule the project due to investigations or project
being temporarily suspended by the authorities.
Costs of wages for supervision as a result of the accidents
include all time spent on the accident and its results:
caring for the workers medical treatment, investigation,
completing forms, disseminating information, visiting the
worker, planning to prevent recurrence, appearance in
court

Costs for safety and clerical personnel as a result of the

accident typing, investigating, forwarding forms, time
with press, etc.

OSHA and civil fines paying fines.

Cost of legal assistance engaging a lawyer to settle the

accident claims.

Other costs any other cost that were incurred because of

the accidents.

The average ratio of indirect costs to direct costs is 4:1.

Impact of overall performance

Time
Budget
Accident statistics
Absentism
Low morale

Contractors performance

Studies have proved that there is an

adverse effect on a contractors
reputation and unfavourable image for
the client when the project suffers high
accident rates.

Control of accident causes

Safety performance measurement enables

behaviours and conditions to be identified that
have the greatest potential in contributing to an
accident.

It also forms a basis to predict future accident

problems and enables management to control the
causes of accidents on site and establish longterm accident control.

These measurement techniques provide

continuous information concerning changes in the
safety state within an organisation in operation.

How to improve health and safety on

construction sites?

Reactive measures

Accident recording & reporting

Accident investigations

Proactive measures

H & s safety policy

H & s safety programme/plan
H & s safety induction/training
Tool-box talk
Others

Example of an accident analysis

Accident:
Falling off a stepladder
The unsafe act:
Climbing a defective ladder
The unsafe condition:
A defective ladder
The correction:
Replace the ladder
Questions:

Why was the defective ladder not found during normal inspection?
Why did the supervisor allow its use?
Didnt the injured employee know it should not be used?
Was the employee properly trained?
Was the employee reminded not to use the ladder?
Did the supervisor examine the job first?

Answers:

An improved inspection procedure

Improved training
A better definition of responsibilities
Pre-job planning by supervisors

References

Grifitth A & Howarth T. 2000. Construction health &

safety management. Pearson Education Limited.
Samuelson B & Lundholm L. 2006. Arbetsskador I
byggverksamhet 2005. Byggindustrins
Kunju Ahmad. 2000. Developing a safety
performance measurement tool (SPMT) for
construction sites. Loughborough University thesis.
UK.
Heberle D. 1998. Construction safety manual.
McGraw Hill. USA.
Davies V.J. Tomasin K. 1990. Construction safety
handbook. Thomas Telford, London.
Brown. 1996. Total integration of safety professional
into project management. Proceedings. of the 1st
International Conference of CIB, Libson, W99. pp
137-144.

RUNNING A SMALL
CONSTRUCTION SITE

What you need to know as a busy builder

You are responsible for health and

safety even if you dont directly
employ the people working on your
site
Give enough time to planning organising
and controlling the work
Check what is actually happening, and
stop dangerous practices
Think about health as well as safety risks

Protect workers and the

public

Keep your site clean and tidy, with clear

space for people to work in
Keep people, including the public, away
from danger
Fence the site off and use warning signs

What you need to know as a busy

builder protect workers and the
public
Keep people,
Keep
your site clean
and tidy, with clear
space for people to
work in

including the public,

away from danger

Structures and excavations

Make sure walls and structures are kept

in safe condition
Plan demolition work properly, and write
it down
Make sure trenches and excavations
cant collapse and people cant fall in

What you need to know as a busy builder

structures and excavations

Make sure walls and structures are

kept in safe condition

Work at height

AVOID work at height if you can

PREVENT falls use the proper gear,
such as scaffolds or cherry pickers
MINIMISE the chances of people being
hurt if they fall use nets or crash bags
Ladders can be used for ACCESS, but
working from ladders allowed only as
last resort

What you need to know as a busy builder

work at height

Minimise the chances of people

being hurt if they fall use nets or
crash bags

What you need to know as a busy builder

work at height

working from ladders allowed only as

last resort

Manual handling

Prevent unnecessary lifting and carrying

Choose lighter materials, smaller bags of
cement and aggregates
Use trolleys, hoists or telehandlers
Avoid repetitive laying of heavy building
blocks and installing heavy lintels by
hand

What you need to know as a busy builder

manual handling

Prevent unnecessary lifting and carrying

What you need to know as a busy builder

manual handling

Use trolleys, hoists or telehandlers

Electricity and power

Use low voltage systems or batteryoperated power tools, and make sure
these are inspected regularly
Make sure connections to the system are
properly made and suitable plugs used
Cables and leads in good condition and
protected from damage
Locate hidden cables and other services,
and mark on plans

What you need to know as a busy builder

electricity and power

Cables and leads in good condition and

protected from damage

What you need to know as a busy builder

electricity and power

Connections to the
system are
properly made and
suitable plugs used

Welfare facilities
Provide on-site or nearby:
Clean and working toilets
Washbasins with hot and cold running
water, large enough to wash hands, face
and forearms
Soap and towels
Drinking water, and cups if needed
Rest area to sit, make hot drinks and eat

What you need to know as a busy builder

welfare facilities

In conclusion
You are responsible for health and safety
even if you dont directly employ the
people working on your site, so

Give enough time to planning, organising and controlling the

work
Check what is actually happening, and stop dangerous practices
Think about health as well as safety risks