AUST

Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology Department of Civil Engineering

Assignment: Risk Involved in Construction Works.

Course Name: Construction Project Management Course No.: CE401

Submitted by

Shaibal Ahmed
ID: 09.02.03.049 4 Year 1nd Semester Section: A
rd

1. Overview
Construction business is expanding all over the world with the growing economy and demand of countries in order to facilitate the habitation of ever increasing population. Construction work involves usage of a large combination of machinery and human resources who works in unison to create new buildings and sites. The raw materials which are generally used for construction purposes are: Cements Bricks Stones Steel Iron bars Grids Reinforced materials.

concrete

cement

mixtures

and

various

other

All these materials are heavy to handle and need special skills and machinery to mix them and transport them to their actual places of usage. Buildings which are high rise need equipments like elevators cranes and hangers to place the required material at their respective places. One of the possible complications in an ongoing work of construction is accidents and safety hazards on the workforce involved in construction work. As a student of construction management it is prudent for us to understand the possible setbacks and safety procedures which are important to follow at a construction site.

It was observed in post incident investigation that the reason why the workers were moving below the direct impact zone of a falling object because the crew members were not aware of the movement and there was no warning sign placed in that area. As a safety procedure it is required that whenever any potential dangerous activity takes place in construction sites workers are required to be warned. So in recent years it has become very much important to discuss about the different measures of construction safety & the type of accident associated if the measures are not used.

2. Risk involved in construction works & types of safety measures

2.1 High Risk Construction Work
High risk construction work is any hazardous construction work that has the potential to harm the health and safety of people or to damage plant and equipment. Construction work includes any work on a structure involving:

Maintenance and repair Alteration and renovation Construction and commissioning Conversion, refurbishment and fitting out Decommissioning, demolition and dismantling.

High risk construction work means construction work:

Involving asbestos, explosives or diving work Carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature Involving a risk of falling more than 2 meters or is carried out on a telecommunication tower. Including building or demolition work involving: o Tilt-up or precast concrete

o o o

Structural alterations or repairs to a structure that requires temporary Support to prevent collapse The demolition of a load bearing part of a structure The demolition of any part of a structure that is likely to affect its physical integrity.

It also includes work carried out in, on or near any:

Confined space Shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 meters or a tunnel Pressurized gas distribution mains or piping Chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines Energized electrical installations or services Area where there are artificial extremes of temperature Area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere Road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians Area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant Liquid that involves a risk of drowning. (Goverment of New South Walse)

Well now discuss about some of the most common accident types and measures to be taken.

2.1.1 Working at High Rise Structures

Common Accidents Falling : Free fall from or above 2 meter height could be deadly. Impact from falling objects : Most dangerous scenario, may lead to death instantly

Safety Measures: These accidents may be prevented by employing , 1. Safety Barriers

2. Safety Nets

2.1.2 Excavation work

Common Accidents Construction workers are buried, and they die from suffocation, it is almost impossible to escape once a cave-in occurs because soil weighs about 100 pounds per cubic foot. Falling of objects to the excavated zone

Safety Measures Maximum Allowable Slopes Maximum allowable slopes for excavations that are less than 20 feet deep: * Stable rock: 90 degrees (vertical) * Cohesive soil with an UCS of 1.5 TSF: Clay, Sandy clay: 53 degrees * Cohesive soil with an UCS > 0.5 TSF but < 1.5 TSF: Silt, Sandy loam: 45 degrees * Cohesive soil with an UCS of 0.5 TSF or less: Granular soils, Sand: 34 degrees All objects outside the excavation area that could cause a cave-in must be supported or moved a safe distance away Barrier guards, signs, or flashing lights also must be provided to protect the excavation site Access to the area must be restricted to workers.

Special Safety Issues * Equipment should be operated only by trained workers. * No work should be performed on the faces of sloped or benched excavations above workers without protecting workers at the lower levels. * Drainage must be provided whenever work is performed in excavations where water is accumulating or can accumulate. * Stairways, ladders, and/or ramps must be provided in all trenches that are 4 feet deep or deeper. * Guardrails must be provided on walkways or bridges that cross excavations that are more than 6 feet deep. (Stephen V. Magyar, 2006)

2.1.3 Electrical work

Common Accident Electrical Shock: The amount of electricity used by one 7.5-watt Christmas tree bulb can kill if it passes through the chest. Safety Measures Checking cords and connections Safe use of power tools and equipment Keeping tools clean and dry When working near power lines the following measures should be adopted Nearby overhead and underground lines should be located. Contact with utility companies should be made before starting to work. Others should be warned about nearby power lines and other electrical

hazards. Keep distance. It should be made sure that booms, poles, ladders, antennae, and other equipment clear lines by at least 10 feet in every direction. Metal poles or ladders near power lines should never be used. If electrical equipment catches fire, power at the main switch should be unplugged or interrupted Touching a fallen power line, or anything or anyone in contact with it should be avoided.

In order to avoid accident workers should,

Stay Alert Many electrical injuries could be prevented if people were alert to hazards. Workers should stay aware by keeping focused on their job and don't let emotions like anger and frustration get in the way.

Use Personal Protection Equipment Personal protective equipment is the first line of defense against shock and electrical burns. Workers should keep boots, gloves, and other gear clean and in good condition even a pinhole will let electricity through. They should wear non conductive protection and use insulated tools. (Bacer)

2.1.4 Demolition
Demolition work involves many of the hazards associated with construction. However, demolition incurs additional hazards due to unknown factors such as: Deviations from the structure's design introduced during construction, Approved or unapproved modifications that altered the original design, Materials hidden within structural members, and Unknown strengths or weaknesses of construction materials. To counter these unknowns, all personnel involved in a demolition project must be fully aware of these types of hazards and the safety precautions to take to control the hazards. Following are some common accident during demolition work & measures needed to be taken for prevention Falls from height: During demolition and dismantling, workers can be injured falling from edges, through openings, fragile surfaces and partially demolished floors. Injury from falling materials: Workers and passers-by can be injured by the premature and uncontrolled collapse of structures, and by flying debris.

A safe system of work is one that keeps people as far as possible from the risks. This may include: establishing exclusion zones and hard-hat areas, clearly marked and with barriers or hoardings if necessary covered walkways using high-reach machines reinforcing machine cabs so that drivers are not injured training and supervising site workers

Risks from connected services: Gas, electricity, water and telecommunications services need to be isolated or disconnected before demolition work begins. If this is not possible, pipes and cables must be labeled clearly, to make sure they are not disturbed.

Uncontrolled collapse: The structural survey should consider: The age of the structure Its previous use The type of construction Nearby buildings or structures The weight of removed material or machinery on floors above ground level Traffic management: Effective traffic management systems are essential on site, to avoid putting workers at risk of being hit by vehicles turning, slewing, or reversing where possible. Noise and vibration: Frequent exposure to loud noise can permanently damage a persons hearing. Noise can also create a safety risk if it makes it difficult for workers to communicate effectively or stops them hearing warning signals. Hazardous materials: Hazardous materials that need to be considered include dust, asbestos and respirable crystalline silica

(RCS). There may also be material or contamination on site that has not been cleared, for example: Acids from industrial processes Paints Flammable liquids Unidentified drums Microbiological hazards (especially in old hospital buildings).

Fire: Fire is a risk where hot work (using any tools that generate spark, flame or heat) is being done. During structural alteration, the fire plan must be kept up to date as the escape routes and fire points may alter. There must be an effective way to raise the alarm. Worker involvement: Everyone involved needs to know what precautions are to be taken on site. (HSE)

Bibliography
Government of New South Wales, Au. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2012, from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au Stephen V. Magyar, Jr. (2006, March 1). Retrieved October 12, 2012, from Occupational Health & Safety Web site http://ohsonline.com Bacer, S. P. (n.d.). Minnesota Power Company. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from Minnesota Power Company Web site: http://www.mnpower.com/customer_service/safety/safety_atwork.ht HSE, U. (n.d.). Health & Safety Executive. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/demolition.htm