CE 1807 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND FIRE ENGINEERING (3-1-0)

UNIT 1

A. TECHNOLOGICAL,ORGANISATION AND BEHAVIOURAL ASPECTS OF

SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION
So it is possible to have successful behavior-based safety processes in a construction
environment. And although there is no methodology that is guaranteed to bring success, here is
what some construction companies have done:
 Because of the workforce’s transient nature, a company may choose only to train
managers, superintendents, general foremen and foremen. For some companies, training
costs can be minimized by the fact that foremen devote most of their time to the company
providing the training. When all levels of management make observations, give positive
feedback and encourage people to work safely, behavior-based safety activities go a long
way. Although not as effective as peer-to-peer feedback in real-time, provided the
company also puts on training sessions that explain the objectives of behavior-based
safety to all employees, it can, as mentioned before, be very effective at reducing injuries.
Once the workforce understands that behavior-based safety is not designed to punish
employees, it becomes easier to gain buy-in for the system. In addition, training sessions
give management an opportunity to encourage employees to think more about their own
safety and the hazards present.
 Some companies have even taken these training sessions further by including advanced
safety awareness concepts and techniques. Advanced awareness training looks at all of
the necessary ingredients for an accidental injury: the hazard, something unexpected
happening, and the hazard contacting the worker or the worker contacting the hazard.

Technology is Improving Construction Site Safety

Technology is constantly improving the way the construction industry operates. Building
Information Modeling (BIM) improves project visualization, makes scheduling more efficient
and reduces waste and rework.
One aspect that often goes overlooked is how technology can be leveraged to improve
construction site safety. Construction remains one of the deadliest occupations with 937 worker
deaths in 2015, according to the most recent Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) from
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
This has been changing in the past few years as companies realize that technology can be used to
better protect their workers. Here are a few ways that technology is being used to make
construction sites safer:
Drones
The commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, has really
taken off ever since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established rules for their use
last year.
In construction, drones are being used on jobsites for everything from site surveying to
inspecting structures to creating promotional videos. They are also being used to make
construction sites safer.
Drones can be used to quickly conduct jobsite inspections and identify potential hazards each
day. They can also be used to monitor workers throughout the day to ensure everyone is working
safely. Drones are being used to take photos of as work progresses create as-built models of
jobsites to keep everyone informed of the changing work conditions each day.

Exoskeletons
Exoskeletons and power-assist suits are being developed for industrial use so workers can lift
and carry objects or use heavy tools for longer periods of time without putting undue stress and
strain on the body.
Unpowered devices like those developed by companies like Ekso Bionics and Strong Arm
Technologies are designed to reduce fatigue and injury and maintain proper posture. These
devices use counterweights or redistribute loads to stronger muscles to make lifting and carrying
easier.
Powered suits, like those developed by companies like Daewoo and Panasonic, uses sensors and
motors to assist workers by reducing back strain and allowing them to lift heavy objects.

Virtual Reality
Virtual reality simulators have been used for years to train soldiers, pilots and surgeons and
could be used the same way to train workers on everything from operating cranes and excavators
to doing welding and masonry work.
Safety training and equipment operator training are two areas where virtual reality could impact
construction in the future. Workers could get exposure to environments such as confined spaces
or working at height in a controlled environment.

Wearables
Human Condition, a New York-based think tank, is developing construction wearables with a
focus on eliminating injuries and fatalities caused by OSHA’s Fatal Four Hazards: falls, struck-
by, electrocution and caught-in/between.
They’ve designed a safety vest and hard hat that integrates low-cost wearable computers,
sensors, GPS and real-time locating systems (RTLS). The hard hat would be equipped with solar
chargers and the safety vest would have kinetic chargers to power them. The safety vest includes
an airbag collar that would inflate should a worker fall and would monitor vital signs and
repetitive motions.
The hard hat has built-in LEDs that does double duty as both a work light and a safety beacon.
The data gathered from these devices can be accessed through the cloud with a mobile interface
in real-time so site supervisors can keep an eye on all the workers at a jobsite.
Smart clothing, or e-textiles, that can monitor vital signs like respiration rate, skin temperature,
and heart rate will also make their way to the construction site. These wearables will be able to
monitor a worker’s posture, track movements, determine if they are suffering from fatigue and
whether they are intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. Keeping a watchful eye on
workers can help predict an accident before it occurs.

Self-Driving Trucks & Heavy Equipment

Crash trucks equipped with attenuators have been used for years in highway work zones to
protect workers and motorists. Royal Truck & Equipment has developed an autonomous Truck
Mounted Attenuator (TMA) truck to protect the one person still at risk when crash trucks are
used, the driver.
 The driverless crash trucks follow a lead vehicle that would transmit GPS information back to
the crash truck instructing it when to turn, brake and what speed to travel.
Heavy equipment manufacturers, like Komatsu and Caterpillar, have machines capable of
operating autonomously or being controlled remotely. This type of technology allows operators
to be completely removed from the machine to eliminate injuries from potential rollovers and
other hazards. In addition to the safety aspect, these intelligent machines are also highly efficient
so productivity can remain high.

Site Sensors
Companies like SmartSite and Pillar Technologies have developed site sensors that can be
deployed across a construction site to monitor things like temperature, noise levels, dust
particulates and volatile organic compounds to help limit exposure to workers.
The sensors are mounted throughout the construction site and can alert workers immediately
when they are at risk from permissible exposure levels being reached. Data from the sensors are
collected and can be analyzed to mitigate exposure levels and keep workers safe and stay
compliant with OSHA regulations.

B.WHAT HUMAN FACTORS AFFECT CONSTRUCTION SAFETY?

Safety on a construction site is of the utmost importance, especially if you’re working with
cranes, scaffolding, heavy equipment, or other dangerous tools. In some cases, construction
accidents occur because of equipment failures, natural disasters, mechanical problems, and other
issues that are, by and large, out of the construction crew’s hands.
However, in most cases, it’s a human error that jeopardizes the safety of a construction site. In
fact, the National Safety Council says that human error is to blame for up to 90% of serious
workplace accidents.

Human factors that affect construction safety may include:

 Safety code violations: Workers, managers, and site owners may knowingly choose to go
against code or skip corners to get a job done more quickly and affordably. Although we like to
think this happens rarely, it may be more common than you think.
 Miscalculations: Technology has helped us significantly with this issue, but human
miscalculations still lead to several damaging incidents each year. For example, miscalculations
may lead to incorrect structure dimensions, inadequate weight distribution, and so on.
 Poor or inadequate training: Workers without proper training can injure themselves and
others, especially if they operate heavy or complex machinery. Managers and workers are
responsible for ensuring they always work within their skill set.
 Oversights/ lapse in judgment: Simple oversights and lapses in judgment can lead to
catastrophic errors, however harmless they may be. For example, a worker may accidentally
release the load in a forklift too soon, injuring workers below.
Sometimes human mistakes are just that—simple mistakes. But, if those mistakes resulted in
serious harm or injury, the liable party could be responsible for the resulting damage.
Construction site owners and managers are responsible for the safety of their workers, and if they
cut corners or otherwise fail to maintain a safe work environment, they could be liable for the
injuries and damages that occur as a result.
 C. ROLES OF DIFF GROUPS IN ENSURING SAFETY,HEALTH, WELFARE AND
SOCIAL SECURITY
The Constitution of India provide detailed provisions for the rights of the citizens and also lays
down the Directive Principles of State Policy which set an aim to which the activities of the state
are to be guided. These Directive Principles provide
 for securing the health and strength of employees, men and women;
 that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their
age or strength;
 just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief are provided; and
that the Government shall take steps, by suitable legislation or in any other way, to secure the
participation of employee in the management of undertakings, The four groups listed below
typically comprise a safety team; your organization’s team may vary somewhat. Each group has
a specific role and responsibilities for safety in their workplace, as well as some common
responsibilities that they share as part of the safety team.
1. Executive management are owners, presidents, CEOs and the like. They are the final decision-
makers.
2. Operations management are operations managers, project managers, supervisors and foremen.
These individuals usually are overseers of an organization’s projects, jobs, crews and/or workers.
3. Workers are those directly involved in the day-to-day work of the company.
4. Safety personnel are those employees dedicated to providing safety support.
For the benefit of overall safety, each group must understand and embrace their roles and
responsibilities, work synergistically and consider themselves safety leaders. The remainder of
this article will explore the roles and responsibilities of each group mentioned above, plus the
common responsibilities of the safety team as well as the common responsibilities of executive
and operations management.

Common Responsibilities of the Safety Team

Following are seven common responsibilities of the safety team. While they may seem obvious,
not all of them are known, understood or taken on by team members, yet it’s extremely important
that an organization’s safety team members speak the same language regarding safety.
1. Focus on learning. There should be a continuous, conscious effort to learn and improve. We
learn from four distinct areas:
o Failure: This is one of the most common ways we learn because when something goes wrong,
we must fix it.
o Near misses: A near miss can be defined as an unexpected event that occurred outside the
identified hazards and planned work procedure, but during which no one was injured and no
property was damaged.
o Positive work experiences: These occur when employees work within the established and
known safety expectations, getting the job done without incident.
o Observations: During observations, attention is paid to work habits and management abilities,
including attitude and behavior. Observers learn by asking questions such as, what is going well
and meeting expectations? Are there safety gaps that need to be addressed? Are known safe work
practices being followed? Are the tools and equipment appropriate for the task? Are workers
properly trained?
2. Be committed. Each member of the safety team must be committed to being the leader they are
expected to be, which includes consistently demonstrating a good attitude and appropriate
behavior as well as being transparent and accountable.
3. Communicate. Make sure those you lead understand the expectation for safety, and be humble
and concerned enough to listen to them when they communicate with you. Effective
communication leads to learning, understanding and improvement by all parties.
4. Embrace consistency. Be consistent in all areas of your responsibilities as consistency leads to
sustainable habits regardless of your role.
5. Be understanding and tolerant. People will make mistakes. An error can be an opportunity to
identify safety gaps and improve working behaviors. Of course, how long an organization
tolerates certain mistakes is based on numerous factors, including whether or not the individual
who made the error made a conscious decision to ignore a known safety expectation.
6. Have patience. When it comes to change, whether initiated by proactive or reactive inspiration,
it may take time for some employees to understand and embrace the ―new‖ or ―improved.‖ Even
attitude and behavior changes require patience. Change takes time.
7. Follow through. If you say you are going to do something, do it; that proves you mean what you
say and helps build trust. But before you say you will do something, first be sure you can deliver.
Common Responsibilities of Executive and Operations Management
I once read a wonderful article in the Journal of Safety Research entitled ―High Reliability
Process Industries: Individual, Micro, and Macro Organizational Influences on Safety
Performance.‖ The article included this quote: ―… management attitudes and behavior are
critical components towards safety, permeating down through the organization to the
workforce.‖ Essentially, management sets the tone for what will be expected and tolerated
regarding safety in the organization. With that in mind, both executive and operations managers
have three common safety responsibilities.
1. Respond to failure. Put in the work to determine the causes of a failure, no matter the severity
or consequence. You may identify gaps that could lead to improved working conditions and/or
management abilities.
2. Lead with the appropriate demeanor. As a manager, how you respond to safety requirements
– whether verbally or physically through facial expressions and body language – communicates
your interest in safety to those you lead. It also gives those you lead permission to respond in a
like manner. Choose your demeanor wisely.
3. Celebrate victories of all sizes. Doing so encourages and inspires those you lead to continue the
effort to meet safety expectations. Always keep an eye out for opportunities to applaud employee
efforts.
The level of importance executive and operations management personnel place on worker safety
has a direct impact on the entire organization. Managing from a spreadsheet does not fully
consider the human aspect of the work being done. While the financial health of the organization
should be considered, the health of workers must take precedence.

Executive Management Responsibilities

Now that we’ve looked at the common responsibilities of the safety team and executive and
operations management personnel, let’s delve into the roles and responsibilities of each of the
four groups referenced at the beginning of the article. We’ll start with executive management
personnel, who have the following two important obligations.
1. Care. Before anything else, you must care about those who work for and with you. There is a
difference between an employee and a person. When you consider someone an employee, the
implication is that they are replaceable, like a tool or machine. When you consider someone a
person, you are more likely to see them as an individual who has value and meaning. Humans
are not replaceable, and they deserve a safe working environment – which an employer, by law,
is required to provide.
2. Culture. Setting the organization’s cultural expectations means establishing the overall
expectations for safety within the organization, and then providing the means for maintaining
those expectations.

Operations Management Responsibilities

Operations management personnel – such as field supervisors and foremen – are considered by
some to be the gatekeepers to a successful safety environment because they typically spend the
most time with employees charged with doing the work. And like it or not, if you are an
operations manager, you lead by example based on what you say or don’t say and what you do or
don’t do. Following are four responsibilities of anyone in an operations management role.

1. Evaluate. Keep production, quality and safety in mind when planning a job or task. Observe the
people you lead to make sure they understand their jobs and can perform them effectively.
Confirm they have the appropriate training before any work begins.
2. Ensure. Make sure the people you supervise understand the hazards associated with the work to
be performed, the safety requirements that apply, the proper procedures to be followed and the
appropriate equipment needed to safely perform the work.
3. Engage. Communicate effectively and consistently so that the people you lead fully understand
what is expected of them. Create an environment in which everyone is empowered to ask
questions, make recommendations and respectfully remind other employees, including managers,
when a safety correction needs to be made.
4. Enforce. This isn’t a dirty word. It simply means making sure the people you lead are following
all safety expectations. If they are not, it is your obligation to work with them to make the
necessary corrections.

Worker Responsibilities
Under the leadership and guidance of executive management and operations management
personnel, workers have three responsibilities:
1. Determine. They must be sure that they fully understand their tasks before starting, especially
any associated hazards.
2. Decide. They must decide if they have the training, knowledge, tools, PPE, equipment and time
to complete their tasks safely.
3. Do. They must use the right tools and equipment and follow the appropriate safety procedures to
complete their tasks.

Safety Personnel Responsibilities

Last but certainly not least, an organization’s safety personnel – those charged with providing
safety support – have the following four responsibilities:
1. See. They must identify gaps in the safety management system, which includes training,
leadership and required programs. Also, safety personnel are responsible for identifying hazards
and confirming that proper risk control measures are understood and followed.
2. Say. They must provide guidance on how, when and why to meet safety expectations. Safety
personnel also must make corrections when necessary and communicate what has gone well to
workers and management.
3. Support. manner while being a strong example of attitude, behavior, accountability and
transparency.
4. They must support each aspect of the safety team, particularly the workers, to ensure a safe
working environment.
5. Safety leader creed. They must conduct themselves in a safe, professional, respectful and
responsible Executive management are owners, presidents, CEOs and the like. They are the
final decision-makers.
5. Operations management are operations managers, project managers, supervisors and foremen.
These individuals usually are overseers of an organization’s projects, jobs, crews and/or workers.
6. Workers are those directly involved in the day-to-day work of the company.
7. Safety personnel are those employees dedicated to providing safety support.
For the benefit of overall safety, each group must understand and embrace their roles and
responsibilities, work synergistically and consider themselves safety leaders. The remainder of
this article will explore the roles and responsibilities of each group mentioned above, plus the
common responsibilities of the safety team as well as the common responsibilities of executive
and operations management.

D.IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CONSTRUCTION SITE

ACCIDENT
A construction site is a dangerous place. High elevations, heavy equipment, high-risk materials,
and electricity are some of the hazards construction workers face on the job each day.
The fatal injury rate for construction workers is higher than the average for any other industry.
Every year, thousands of workers suffer injuries from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic
injuries on construction sites.
If you or a loved one is the victim of a construction site accident, you should know the proper
steps to take following an accident. Here are some recommendations to help you get the
compensation you deserve.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
If you’ve sustained an injury in a construction site accident, seek medical care right away. Don’t
hesitate to call 911 or allow a coworker to make the call for you.
You want to have a doctor assess the extent of your injuries no matter how minor you think they
may be. Some injuries, including head, neck, and spinal injuries, aren’t always noticeable at first.
Now is not the time to tough it out or see if you feel better the next day. You need to see a doctor
as soon as possible and have documentation of your medical tests and treatments.
A medical record which documents your injuries can be helpful for your workers’ compensation
claim or if your case goes to court in the future.
REPORT THE ACCIDENT
Many workers fail to report their injuries out of fear of losing their job or immigration status.
Sometimes companies do not want a report that highlights their poor safety practices.
It’s in your best interest to report your accident to your supervisor or whoever is in charge.
Reporting what happened ensures you will have documentation of the accident and expose any
unsafe practices that may prevent future injuries.
Make sure you take note of who accepts the report and the date you submit it. This is important
for any future legal action in your case.
Your employer may ask you to complete additional forms related to workers’ compensation. It’s
always a good idea to consult a personal injury attorney before you sign any forms or accept a
settlement.

GATHER CONTACT INFORMATION

It’s important to gather as much evidence about your accident as possible. This includes
gathering contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
You or a coworker should write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any
witnesses. This is critical information for the investigative phase of the accident.
Do not try to pressure witnesses to give you details about the accident. Your attorney can contact
them at a later time for more information.

TAKE PICTURES OF THE SCENE

If you are able, try to take photos of the scene or have a coworker do this for you. If your
accident was due to unsafe conditions on the job, take pictures of the area or any defective
equipment.
Have someone take pictures of your injuries and any damages to your clothing, hat, or other
property. If your employer isn’t following the proper safety guidelines, you may be entitled to a
larger settlement.
Try to preserve as much evidence as possible. This could come in handy for your case at a later
time.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Workers’ compensation pays for medical expenses and lost income due to your on-the-job
injury. As an employee, you have the right to workers’ compensation if:
 Your employer is enrolled in workers’ compensation insurance
 You sustained an injury on the clock or related to your job
 Your work-related injury is not due to your misconduct or drug or alcohol impairment
You must file a workers’ compensation claim within one year of your accident. It’s a good idea
to consult a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your rights and fight for the
compensation you deserve.

KEEP MEDICAL RECORDS

Construction accidents are often serious. You may need ongoing medical care, treatments, and
medications following your injury.
Medical tests and ongoing expenses add up. If you’re unable to work, you may be dealing with
the emotional stress of your medical bills piling up.
It’s important to keep track of all your medical records and bills. Your documentation should
include the names of your doctors, dates of service, and any prescribed medications.
You may be entitled to compensation for your medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, or
more. An experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate your claim and help you understand
your rights and the best path forward.

CONTACT A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

Your first step is to get medical care following your accident. And you need someone by your
side who understands what you’re going through.
An experienced lawyer understands the complexities of construction site accidents and workers’
compensation laws. They can handle the paperwork and the investigation for you while you
concentrate on getting better.
Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer may be
able to help you negotiate a better settlement than you might receive otherwise.

TOOL BOXE
.EErgonomics in Construction
Ergonomics is the science concerned with designing and arranging things that people use so that
people will interact with the environment most effectively and safely. Ergonomics means
arranging the environment to fit the person.
As a construction worker, your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, backs, and legs may be subjected
to thousands of repetitive twisting, forceful, or flexing motions during a typical workday. Many
construction jobs can expose you to excessive vibration and noise, eye strain, repetitive motion,
and heavy lifting.
The three most important issues related to ergonomics for construction workers, and ways to
control them, are listed below:
Back Safety and Lifting:
 Practice proper lifting techniques,
 Get help with large loads, and
 Use materials handling equipment.
Equipment and Tool Vibration:
 Use only the force necessary to perform the job,
 Hold and use tools properly, and
 Rotate tasks and take break from tasks during the work day to avoid vibration for too long a
duration.
Repetitive Motions:
 Perform tasks following proper job procedures at all times,
 Select the right tool for the job, and
 Rotate the tasks you perform during the work day to avoid a single type of repetitive motion
for too long a duration.