Health and Safety Management of New Construction Site - Essay Example

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT OF NEW CONSTRUCTION SITE Student’s name Course &Code Professor’s name University City Date Introduction In almost all construction sites, the possibility of hazard situational occurrence is very high. Generally the cause of hazard is well known and it is continuously repeated in the construction site. As such, the rate of increasing annual accidents in new construction sites and ill health issues within constructor’s remains at peak hence an action is needed to change the problem. The effectiveness of site management and supervision are important in maintaining health and safety condition in operating the construction site. As such it should be ensured that the rate of supervision in place by site contractors and supervisors is adequate by discharging their health and safety responsibilities. The Information delivery regarding the site hazards and measures taken to prevent the hazard occurrence should be displayed generally for employees, contractors and visitors so as to work peacefully in the site (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 2014). Additionally, it is recommended that it is wise to brief new workers on the site about the risks, welfare facilities and site rules. The health and safety management measures need to be integrated into basic progress and regular quality checks ups assessments to prevent the possibility of accident occurrence (Alhajerl, 2013). Context and Content Site layout design for project Previously studies indicate that site layout designs and organizations have always been spearheaded for purposely productivity reasons without having adequate consideration regarding health and safety implication of the design layout plan (Coble, 2014). The three basic ways of presenting the site layout design includes the drawings, templates and 3-D models. As such, it considers equipment positioning; the access lay down areas, overhead utilities and topography. The basic agenda of having a site layout design for the project tends to be reproductive through a conducive construction environment that generally maximize the constructor working efficiency and inhibits the possibility of fatal risks in the working environment. The availability of the site layout plan for the construction site reflects the organization commitments towards safety and the well being of the available work force. The basic aspects within the site layout design for the project includes the access and traffic roads, construction materials, storage material handling, site placed working offices and welfare amenities, available construction plants and available services. The availability of systems and approaches in facilitating site layout design project are enormous but the information and approach tend to be deficient in providing adequate consideration of health and safety issues. In such situation, it has been observed that the site managers adopt similar approaches that don’t solve the health and safety issues (Levitt, 2013). It is debated that for the construction site to be health and safety by using site layout design plan, the layout plan should focus on the objective analysis of the basic needed materials, risk eradication through intense research design and earlier planning, implementation development of procedures to minimize the possibilities of accidents occurring, designing a clear safety system whereby all workers are at ease to identify and comply with, availability of safety regime trainings and daily monitoring and review of the implemented measures. The below diagram represents the existence of site layout design for the project Materials in bulks: layout areas Construction plan especially in hilly regions and limited space proves challenging in storage of materials compared to large flat areas. In hilly regions, it is a bit cumbersome in allocation of bulk materials keeping in view the safety side of the layout design. As such, the constraints affect the site layout planning, hence influencing the construction progress and health and safety related issues. For the organization to fully utilize the available space while considering health and safety issues, it is advisable to structure many layout plans for areas where the materials are going to be stored. Allocation of space for the available material needs to be strictly structured by the constructors. The approach involves identifying the specific material and its specific place within the construction site and clearly stating the materials are positioned in place for certain specific duration of time. As such, the constructors and workers are able to prevent the possibility of conflict arising during the operational stage whereby the arrangement of material are positioned in right place for its purpose and ease of use. Additionally, the bulk materials need to be placed at a distance from the pedestrian and employees including the constructor in all pathways. The organization would have been able to curb the possibility of the fatal accidents arising when the objects fall during the crane and truck movements while moving the material. All the technique and approaches are basically achieved if the implementation of the space scheduling and construction scheduling run concurrent for efficient and effective service delivery. Additionally, the movements of materials are at ease hence limited chances of fatal accidents can arise. Traffic Management. Based on statistics collected, at least 7 workers encounter death as a result of accidents involving the vehicles and movable construction plant within the construction sites. A further 93 worker are seriously injured (Kadiri, 2014). Additionally, the accidents generally occur at the ground works to the finishing work hence all the managers, visitors, workers and pedestrians are at risk of accidents. Inefficient planning is the general aspect that causes accidents to arise in the construction sites. As per the UK law, it is a requirement to organize the construction site so that all constructors, pedestrians and vehicles passing through the route can move around the route at an ease (Rawlinson, 2014). As such, the traffic is easily managed at the site by keeping the pedestrian and vehicle apart through the provision separate entries and gateways for the pedestrian and vehicles, provision of walkways for the pedestrians using direct route, visibility for the drivers, installing barriers and having limited chances of obstruction. Minimizing vehicle movements prevents fatal accidents especially when the landscaping reduces the spoil movement. The used signs and instruction needs to be easily understood by the public and pedestrians to reduce the possibilities of fatal accidents Offices and Welfare Facilities As per the law of the U.K Government, it is a requirement for the construction site to provide welfare facilities (International Labour Organization, 2015). The law advocates for suitable and sufficient sanitary convenience, washing facilities, adequate supply of wholesome drinking water which should be conspicuously marked where necessary for reasons of health and safety, availability of changing rooms for both male and female workers isolated in different place and lockers for storing personal belongings and facilities for workers to rest. As such, clients need to ensure that the construction implementation stage does not commence until a certified paper is presented that already the welfare facilities are already in place. On the regard to the formulated law, it is a requirement for the construction site should be provided with suitable and sufficient ventilated toilets that are clean and orderly to prevent ill health condition. Issues Surrounding Specific Chemical hazards In construction sites, chemical hazards basically arise through airborne and define itself through dusts particles, smoke fumes, mist and vapor. Several health issues have been liked with construction trade which includes silicosis on constructors dealing with sand blasters and rock drill operators. Asbestosis is a sickness affecting the construction workers dealing with steam piping fitting, insulation workers and building demolition workers. Additionally, neurologic disorders occur among construction workers dealing with paints other materials that have organic solvents and lead. From such illness, an elevated number of health issues regarding lung cancer and respiratory tree are on the rise with in increasing number of dying patients from the site (Ringen, 2014) Physical Hazards Physical hazards occur in majority of construction sites. The hazards generally occur through noise, heat, radiation, sprains, strains, vibration and barometric pressure. Noises arise from the mechanical machines which include vehicle, air compressors, power saw, routers, explosive and many more (Acoustics, 2015). Generally, noise interrupts general communication hence a contributing factor towards safety issues and health challenges. Heat hazards basically arise in roofers exposed to hot sun without protection hence being affected by heavy radiant. Additionally less ventilated areas involving hot engine work contributes towards health hazard issues. Barometric pressure basically affects workers working under water and pressurized tunnels. Such workers develop health issues like decompression sickness. Strains & sprains affect construction workers either through traumatic injuries, overexertion and awkward postures in daily routine. Biological Hazards Workers exposure to micro-organisms and toxic substances from biologic origin contributes towards biological hazards. A good example is the evacuation workers are in high chances of developing histoplasmosis which is likely to be spread from one worker to another because it is a contagious disease. Toxic substances from plant origin which might include poison oak and poison sumac cause skin eruptions. Additionally the wood dusts are carcinogenic which are basically allergic to construction workers without protective measures in place. Social Hazards The social organization of the industry might contribute towards social hazards. Many construction site workers might be required to live in camps around the site hence away from home and families hence denied the stable and dependable networks for social support. The situation is a contributing factor towards increasing stress in a working environment. Social hazards are not different from any other construction industry hence it is common to majority of construction workers in one way or another. Organization issues Man The organization has varied issues that influence man behavior, yet it is very common it is very common for them to be overlooked during designing layout plan for the work and when conducting accidents and incidents. As such, it is basically recommended for the organization to conduct and establish its own positive health and safety culture which tends to promote mans culture and commitment at all levels. The culture to be positioned in place and rule put in place that the deviation from the established health and safety standards is unacceptable (Kanchana, 2015) The job factor under the new construction site influence the individual performance and the control of risks within the operating environ. The operative duties should be structured according to ergonomic regulations to advocate into accountability of the shortcomings of human performance outcome. The mismatch regarding the job expectations and human possibilities pose the vulnerable opportunities in poor health and weaker safety management at all levels hence potentiality in human errors. Matching workers to specified job requirements ensures that workers are not overloaded hence either physical or mental are balanced hence preventing human error. Machines Significant and serious injuries arise from cranes especially if it is not well inspected and used rightfully. The basic unsafe issues arising from crane is when workers are struck by an overhead load or accidentally caught within the crane swing areas. Globally, many crane fatalities occur when the low bottom end of crane or its load line contact an overhead power line (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2015). To prevent health issues and accidents arising from the cranes, it is recommended inspect all cranes in site before use, keep the records of load that the crane is to lift, fully extend the outriggers and do not move the load along workers and many more (Oyedele, 2012). Approximately 100,000 employees are fatally and approximately 96,000 employees in construction sites annually while operating in powered industrial trucks (Ragnar, 2015). As such, to avoid accidents, workers should avoid travelling with loads, operators to always wear seatbelts, prohibit stunt driving and restrict underage employees from driving trucks. Equipment Majority of the construction sites there is higher possibilities of falling materials to workers. The unsafe issues can be minimized to safety situations by provision of suitable barriers to curb materials from falling on workers at heights. Hard Hats prevent hazards of materials falling from scaffold, materials falling from cranes to hit an employee and cause fatal accident. Workers working in construction site face the possibilities of materials dropping on their feet, sharp nails and sharp objects penetrating the sole of the feet. As such, boots with steel toecaps and mid-soles are recommended, although manufacture offers advices on the type of equipment that is suitable footwear for varied types of likely hazards to occur. Majority of accidents occur where workers in hazardous position that is not highly visible. As such, recommended for the organization to provide high-visibility clothing purposefully to prevent accidents from arising. Generally, all the construction equipments needs to be positioned in construction site at the right place and use it as per the purpose to prevents health issues and accidents from arising (HSE, 2012). Materials Basically the planning of management of the materials regarding the health and safety rules and regulations, all materials needs to be kept is right place to prevent accidents from arising. The walk ways and stair ways need to be free from the tripping hazards like trailing cables, building materials and waste products. As such, when emergency issues arise the employees are able to escape at a fair route without encountering challenges. Additionally, it is recommended that the organization is expected to have stores to keep materials and all out door footpaths be level and firm without any construction materials (Amodu, 2013). Hazardous materials that are flammable need to be stored away and protected from the accidental ignition that might result to health and unsafe issue for workers. Conclusion The integration of divergent health and safety variables is imperative in achieving the intended benefits of any system. Arguably, such systems are indispensible in achieving a system balance and create a preferred approach in OHS management. In supporting such a system, various systems have to be considered. In any construction site, it is advocated that any site layout design needs to take cognizance that basically the requirements of the site layout varies with time and as such, changes are introduced hence health and safety precautions varies with time which might need reviews. Management of bulk systems needs to be considered in the most effective way. Construction sites with large space tend to have an added advantage when storing bulk materials because it is easier to plan for the location and storage of the materials. Thirdly, safety of motorist and pedestrians needs to be considered through the consolidation of effective traffic management system in the event of any incidents. Additionally, environmental concerns are important systems given their propensity to influence human and surrounding health. Creating and environmental plan, will effectively oversee that correct placement of facilities are adhered to. Conclusively, it is evident that health and safety is an integration of various aspects that are closely linked in attaining preferred OHS management. Reference List Acoustics. (2015) Measurement of Airborne Noise Emitted by Earth-moving Machinery—Operator’s Position—Stationary Test Condition. Geneva: ISO. Alhajerl, M. (2013) Health and Safety in the Construction Industry: Challenges and Solution in U.K. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (2015) Mobile and Locomotive Cranes: An American National Standard. ASME B30.5-1994. New York: ASME. Amodu, T. (2013) The Determinants of Compliance with Laws and Regulations with Special Reference to Health and Safety. London, Haughton Street, WC2A 2AE. Coble, J. (2014) Implementation of Safety and Health on Construction Sites. Balkema Publishers, Old Post Road, Brookfield, USA. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. (2014) Systematic Workplace Survey: Health and Safety in the Construction Industry. Helsinki: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. HSE. (2012) Successful Health and Safety Management. The Office of Public Sector Information, Information Policy Team, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU International Labour Organization. (2015) Safety, Health and Welfare on Construction Sites: A Training Manual. Geneva: ILO. Kadiri, Z. (2014) Causes and Effects of Accidents on Construction Sites. A Case Study of Some Selected Construction Firms in U.K. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 5, P.68. Kanchana, S. (2015) Studies on Labor Safety in Construction Sites. The Scientific World Journal, Vol. 15, No. 4, P. 6 Levitt, R. (2013) Construction Safety Management. New York: Wiley & Sons. Oyedele, L. (2012) Confined site construction: A qualitative investigation of critical issues affecting management of health and safety. Journal of Civil Engineering and Construction Technology, Vol. 2, No. 7, P. 138. Ragnar, E. (2015) Reclaiming Health and Safety for all in Construction Site. An independent review of health and safety legislation. Rawlinson, F. (2014) "UK construction industry site health and safety management: An examination of promotional web material as an indicator of current direction". Journal of Construction Innovation, Vol. 10, No. 4, P.440. Ringen, K. (2014) Construction workers. In Occupational Health: Recognizing and Preventing Work-related Disease. Edited by BS Levy and DH Wegman. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Co. Read More