CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

Abstract: At present, there are millions of workers associated with the construction sector in India. These
workers are employed on the various basis depends upon the employer. This is basically the unorganized
category of labour which is generally characterized by their nature of employment, relationship with their
employer or hiring authority may be the contractor, prolonged and uncertain working hours and lack of
health & safety measure along with the lack of the basic amenities and the welfare facilities like rest
rooms for the labour. There are so many regulatory legislation which has direct influence and emphasize
it to implement at the construction site for ensuring the health & safety measure provided to the labour
along with the access to basic welfare amenities required by them. These legislations are The Building
and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and conditions of Service) Act in 1996 and
the Central Rules in 1998. These laws include all the details related to the provision necessary for the
workers.
Introduction: Construction Safety is comprehensively aiming at providing the hygienic, healthy & safe
environment to the labour at the construction site which is free from the any kind of hazards associated
with the construction. The prime responsibility of such kind of tasks is mainly the principle employer if
not possible then deputation of the authorized person with required qualification should be deputed in
place of the employer. The construction industry in India is an intensive industry which provides
employment opportunities to the millions of peoples hence contribute a lot in the development of the
nation. This is a continuously growing sector which needs labour engineers, draftsman, architects,
surveyor, contractors & project managers. But from health, safety and welfare concern no considerable
progress has been noticed in this field which is a serious issue that has to be resolved. Efforts have been
made to address this problem, but the results have been far from satisfactory as construction accidents
continue to dominate the industry. Despite the programs implemented by government authorities and
measures introduced by companies themselves, the number of construction accidents still remains
alarmingly high. It is highly unsatisfactory that the implementation of health and safety provisions in
construction has not resulted in any commensurate improvement in the industry. The construction
industry is in need of more effective approaches involving better mechanisms to face industry challenges.
Scope: This is applicable to all construction sites including buildings, industries, residential complexes
and other activities including the construction work.

Objective: The main objective of this topic is to maintaining the following consideration at the site as
given below:
• To regulate the employment and conditions of service of construction workers including fixed working
hours & wages as per government norms.
• To provide health & safety, and welfare services and for other matters related to the workers.

Hazards Associated with the Construction Sector: There are many hazards associated with the
construction industry. These are mainly includes the following:

(1) Mechanical (falls from height, fall of objects, cave-ins, etc.): Mechanical hazards may be defines as
the hazards which arises due to moving machinery or due to maintenance work without using appropriate
protection against them. For example: a worker is working at height without safety belt is a mechanical
hazard because he may fall from the height and result into a serious accident.
(2) Electrical (electric shock, electrostatic discharges, etc.): Electrical hazards may be defined as the
hazards arise due to electrical failure at a particular area. It may be due to loose wiring, or due to wrong
work practices which in turn may results into accidents like electrocution and others.
(3) Thermal (heat, cold, fire, etc.): Thermal hazards arise due to exposure to the temperature, it may be
very cold or very hot depends upon the exposure.
(4) Radiation (ultraviolet radiation, ionizing, etc.): Radiation hazards may be defined as the hazards
arise due to the application of radiation like UV rays or ionizing. These are generally found where there is
involvement of the laser application.
(5) Noise (exposure to noise, etc.): These hazards may be defined as the hazards arise due to excessive
noise which may produce the deafening effect on the exposed person. For example: noise generated from
the hammering machine used frequently in the construction sector. Ear plugs or ear muffs should be
provided to prohibit the direct exposure of noise on the ears.
(6) Chemical (dust, fumes, gases, vapors, etc.): Chemical hazards may be defined as the hazards which
arise due to the exposure to the hazardous chemical like caustic soda. To protect our self we should use
the personal protective equipment’s like gloves, respirator, gumboots and apron.
(7) Biological (pathogenic material, fungus, etc.): These kind of hazards is generally arise due to
biological agents or direct contacts with the pathogens which are harmful for the human beings.
(8) Other hazards/risks (humidity, confined space, low visibility etc.): These are the miscellaneous
hazards which may result into the accident or injury like low illumination levels or confined space entry.
Strict supervision is necessary to perform the confined space entry and work permit system should be
followed for the same.
(9) Hazards/risks affecting health (back injuries, skin disease, etc.): These are basically the
ergonomics hazards which arise due to wrong work practices or prolong working hours in one posture
which may develop the fatigue or may cause the back pain due to continues work. Regular intervals or
breaks should be taken to avoid such kind of risks to the health.

Importance of Safety in Construction Field: Construction safety in India is still in its early years
because safety laws are not strictly enforced. The employers ignore many basic site safety rules and
regulations prior to the initiation of any activity related to the construction. Although, to improve working
conditions, the government has implemented some specific legislations like the Minimum Wages Act, the
Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1923 (modified in 1962), and the Contract Labour (Regulation and
abolition) Act of 1970, of which only a small amount scope and procedures are put into actual practice.
National Building Code of India, 2005 provides guidelines for regulating construction activities for a
building; across the country along with many Indian Standard codes of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS),
such as, Handbook on Construction Safety Practices for site engineers, Project Managers, and engineers-
in-charge of buildings and civil works.
The construction sector in India is generally ignored by the government and the employers who are main
coordinators of the whole projects and the activities that have to be simulated at that location specifically.
In developing countries, safety rules usually do not exist, even if it exists; regulatory authorities are
unable to implement such rules effectively. Therefore, it is up to the construction professional to inculcate
and concrete these safety norms in their working and ultimately setting up a desired standard. This can
definitely reduce accidents that directly or indirectly reduce project cost and ultimately the delays. In
India efforts should be made to raise the level of awareness among the workers and the employers about
the importance of health and safety-related issues.
An Approach for control measures to prevent the hazards associated with the construction sector:

Hierarchy of control is the best & most effective method to control & prevent the hazards present at the
construction site. This triangle basically includes the five step approach from the most effective technique
to the least effective techniques in controlling the hazards associated at the construction site.

Figure 1: Hierarchy of Control

These approaches as shown in figure can be explained as follow:

Elimination: This approach of control basically aims at eliminating or removing the hazard present at the
working site. For example: A revolving machinery is continuously revolving without having safe guard
on its part and acting as a hazard for the worker that may result into disaster if not taken seriously. This
can be completely eliminated by providing the guard on that revolving part which will be the solution to
the problem.

Substitution: If a particular dangerous chemical or work process cannot be completely eliminated, then
try to replace it with a safer substitute. For example: It is not easy to find "safer" chemical substitutes (in
fact, no chemical should be considered completely safe). It is important to review every year the current
reports on the chemicals used in the workplace because chemicals considered to be "safer" substitutes
today may not be considered safe in the future.

Engineering Control: The third most effective means of controlling hazards is engineering controls. It
will not eliminate hazards, but isolate the workers from hazards. It may involve the higher cost of design
modification or implementing the isolation of the hazards for workers. For example, An acoustic closure
in a high noise producing area will be helpful in isolating the noise to the outside hence protect the
community from the exposure of the deafening sound produced by the equipment or device.

Administrative Control: Administrative controls are changes in work procedures or work practice such
as written safety policies, rules, supervision, schedules, and training with the goal of reducing the
duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazardous chemicals or situations. For example: Road
Construction work performed in the night will reduce the hazard hence will help in implement the control
measure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): These are basically the equipment or the devices which provides
the barrier between hazard and the worker but do not eliminate or substitute the hazards. It is the last
option available because of non-applicability of the engineering control & administrative controls. For
example: A person working on a considerable height without safety harness is a dangerous situation
which may result into the fatal accident. So, it is advised that he should wear the safety harness with
double lanyard and tie it at the anchorage point which will protect him from the free fall and hence lower
the severity of fall hazard. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes ear plugs or ear muffs, gloves,
Lab Coat, respirators, hard hats or helmets, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, and safety
shoes/gumboots.

Figure 2: Personal Protective Equipment Required At Construction Site

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA):

Definition of Hazard: A hazard is a situation which has the potential for harming anything man,
machine, material or environment. In practical terms, a hazard often is associated with a condition or
activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury or illness. Identifying hazards and eliminating or
controlling them as early as possible will help in preventing the injuries and accidents at the working site.

Definition of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on the
particular 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. Finally, after identifying the uncontrolled
hazards, steps must be taken to eliminate or reduce them to minimum or at an acceptable risk level.

Importance of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Many workers are injured and killed at the working site
every day in our own country. Safety and health can add value to your business, your job, and your life.
One can help in preventing the workplace injuries and illnesses by looking at their workplace operations,
establishing proper job procedures and policies, and ensuring that all employees are trained properly. One
of the best ways to determine and establish proper work procedures is to conduct a job hazard analysis. A
job hazard analysis is one component of the larger commitment of a safety and health management
system for any organization.
It is a comprehensive tool that can help in preventing the injuries related to the work place or working site
like identifying the hazards present on the workplace. For example: A job hazard analysis is conducted
for identifying the fall hazard will also include the slip & trip hazards which may cause any accident or
injury. Job Hazard Analysis is an effective tool and used at the various construction site for the purpose of
preventing any kind of injury and thus providing a healthy & safe environment to the workers.

How to conduct an effective Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): A job hazard analysis can be conducted by
following the some basic steps. A checklist can be used to identify and list the hazard on the paper for
record keeping. The following is explained the steps which may be helpful in conducting the JHA at an
organization or at a construction working site
Involvement of the employees from the different fields: Involvement of the different expertise is
crucial to identify the hazards at a particular work site. Because they will provide a clear sight of the
actuality at the work site. For example, sometimes it becomes cumbersome for the single person to look at
the each and every aspect of the site from the different angle so it will be advantageous to involve the
specialist of a particular field while conducting such kind of the study.
Review of accident history: Review of accident history is important to know the trend of the injury or
the accident that happens most of the time at the working site and could be consider as the main focus of
the study. This statistics can be used as an asset to reduce the current injury rate and will be helpful in
improving the culture of the working site.
Conduct a preliminary job hazards analysis: First of all, conduct a preliminary job hazard analysis to
identify the major hazards that is present in the work area and could result in an injury or an accident. For
example the following format can be used for conducting the JHA:
Table 1 Job Hazard Analysis Checklist

Job Hazard Analysis Form

Name & location Workshop & Job is Welding Date: XX/XX/XXXX
of the Job:
Name of the Mr. X Time: XX:XX Hrs.
Assessor:

S.N. Hazard Possible Corrective Target Date of Review of the Deviation Further Control
Identified Injury Action & Completion Implementation Measure Required
Preventive
Action
1. Welding Eye Welding XX/XX/XXXX Worker is not using it Lack of Training needs to be
Spark Injury Goggles or Face at all the time when Awareness provided to the worker
shield Should performing welding regarding the for improving the
be Provided. hazard awareness regarding the
same
2.
3.

Ranking of the hazards identified: Hazards identified must be ranked as per the severity so that
necessary action could be taken to avoid such kind of the hazards to result into an accident. This will help
in implementation of the control measure to be applied for controlling the hazards.
Review of the Corrective Action & Preventive Action: Review of the CAPA is required to check the
effectiveness of the controls implemented to control the hazards present. If any deviation found then
further control measures needs to be applied.

Role of Housekeeping in the Construction: Housekeeping has its own importance in the construction
safety management at the site of construction. In the context of definition housekeeping may be defined
as “A place for anything & anything at its place is called as good housekeeping.” Bad housekeeping at the
working site may result into minor or sometime major accident. For instance, pathway obstructed by
keeping material in the way may create the slip or trip hazards due to which accident may take place. So,
it is mandatory to maintain good housekeeping at the working site to provide a healthy & safe
environment to the workers.

Role of Training in the construction field: Training is nothing but the awareness or education provided
to a person or a particular audience for achieving a particular goal without harming man, machine,
material & environment. The main objective behind a comprehensive training program is to increase the
safety consciousness of the workforce and the supervisory staffs through continuous training and
motivation towards safe practices. Regular monitoring, inspections and safety audits will form an integral
part of the safety programs at the worksite.
Training can be done in the different form as per suitability of the site. Different form of training at the
construction site may be explained as follows:
Safety Orientation: Safety Orientation is a kind of talk which may be provided prior to starting of any
construction project by briefing them about the health, safety & environment in which hazards and
prevention should be the prime objective.
Topic Specific Training: Topics like Fall Hazards, Confined Space Entry & similarly others should be
covered in the comprehensive manner so the worker could understand the basics of the hazards and the
preventive measures to be taken.
Tool Box Talk: Tools box talk is a small part of the training which lasts up to 15 minutes maximum. This
includes basically the overview of the safety measures and the hazards present at the workplaces. It can be
done in the groups and for the whole site workers.
Monitoring & Implementation: Monitoring and the implementation is necessary at the site to ensure the
health, safety & environment aspect of the site station. It could be done by conducting the regular
inspections, surprise checking of the workplaces or by conducting the internal audits of the site. It could
be done by the safety officer alone or with the help of the team that is group of expertise. This will check
the effectiveness of the training provided to the construction workers. If any lapses found then immediate
action should be taken and preventive measure should be suggested as the long term solution.
Re-Training: Re-Training is generally needed when a worker does not understand the needs of the
training and unable to identify the hazards present nearby the workplace.
Conclusion: All in all, it can be said that construction management needs a lot of improvement in
Environment, Health & Safety of the worker at the construction site and it will be achieved by the
combined effort of employee & employer.

References Used: www.google.com;

http://www.mnltap.umn.edu/topics/workplace/personal_protection_equipment/index.html &