Gennie Lou C.

Juera BSCE 3-1

Design for Construction Safety

Designing for construction safety (DfCS) is a process that incorporates

hazard analysis at the beginning of a design project. The process does not
address methods to make construction safer, but how to make a project safer
to build. In other words, safe constructability considers worker safety in the
design of a facility rather than the traditional design aspects that focus only
on the safety of the end-user. Engineering measures are then applied to
eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk. If the hazard cannot be eliminated,
then safety devices are incorporated. If some risk still exists, then warnings,
instruction, and training should be used as a last resort.

Traditionally, designers have been under no obligation to inform contractors

of hazards resulting from the design. However, designers could play an
important role in ensuring how safety of construction workers is considered
during the project design process. Competent designers can draw from their
own experience and published information, to comply with the duties of
reducing hazards and appreciate the risk in their design. In fact, designing to
eliminate or avoid hazards is considered the preferable means for reducing
risk in the hierarchy of controls. It should be emphasized that reducing
injuries and fatalities and improving worker health are not the only benefits
associated with DfCS. Addressing safety in the conceptual or early design
stages could yield other measurable benefits such as improved productivity,
a decrease in operating costs, avoidance of expensive retrofitting to correct
design shortcomings, and significant reductions in injuries, illnesses, and
environmental damage.

There is evidence that careful consideration of safety during the design stage
could have eliminated or reduced injuries and fatalities in some construction
Electrical projects. While the merits of DfCS are evident, numerous barriers
to its implementation have been cited. Among these barriers are limited
availability of tools, guidelines, and procedures for preventive design, and
the limited education which engineers receive on issues of construction
worker safety and on how to design for safety.

Electrical Engineering Safety

Electrical engineering safety relates to:

Prevention of electric shock and burns, (electrocution, death or injury

as a result of a shock, radiation burns, flash burns, burning particles and
plasma).

Prevention of electrical arcing and surface temperatures that have

sufficient energy to ignite gas and/or dust.

Prevention of fires caused by the malfunction of electrical equipment.

Prevention of injury and death from unintended operation, failure to

stop or failure to operate, of electrically powered and electrically controlled
equipment.
 Use of electrical technology to provide safe-guards and monitoring
against non-electrical hazards.

Basic Electrical Safety Practices

The Institute requires everyone who uses electrical equipment to understand

these safety precautions to comply with the OSHA Electrical Safety-Related
Work Practices standard and MIT's electrical safety policies. The following
safe work practices can prevent electrical shock. Contact your supervisor for
additional safety training if your job involves repairing, installing or working
on energized parts.

A. Safe Work Practices

1. Turn off and unplug equipment (instead of relying on interlocks that can
fail) before removing the protective cover to clear a jam, replace a part,
adjust or troubleshoot. Ask a qualified person to do the work if it involves
opening equipment and creating an exposure to energized parts operating at
50 volts or more.
2. Don't use an electrical outlet or switch if the protective cover is ajar,
cracked or missing. Call
FIXIT and report this.
3. Only use DRY hands and tools and stand on a DRY surface when using
electrical equipment, plugging in an electric cord, etc.
4. Never put conductive metal objects into energized equipment.
5. Always pick up and carry portable equipment by the handle and/or base.
Carrying equipment by the cord damages the cord's insulation.
6. Unplug cords from electrical outlets by pulling on the plug instead of
pulling on the cord.
7. Use extension cords temporarily. The cord should be appropriately rated
for the job.
8. Use extension cords with 3 prong plugs to ensure that equipment is
grounded.
9. Never remove the grounding post from a 3 prong plug so you can plug it
into a 2 prong, wall outlet or extension cord.
10. Re-route electrical cords or extension cords so they aren't run across the
floor, under rugs or through doorways, etc. Stepping on, pinching or rolling
over a cord will break down the insulation and will create shock and fire
hazards.
11. Don't overload extension cords, multi-outlet strips and wall outlets.
12. Heed the warning signs, barricades and/or guards that are posted when
equipment or wiring is being repaired or installed or if electrical components
are exposed.

B. Check for Unsafe Conditions (either before or while you're using

equipment)

1. Is the cord's insulation frayed, cracked or damaged, exposing the internal

wiring?
2. Are the plug's prongs bent, broken or missing, especially the third prong?
3. Is the plug or outlet blackened by arcing?
4. Was liquid spilled on or around the equipment?
5. Are any protective parts (or covers) broken, cracked or missing?
6. Do you feel a slight shock when you use the equipment?
7. Does the equipment or the cord overheat when it is running?
8. Does the equipment spark when it is plugged in or when switches or
controls are used?

C. If you observe any of these unsafe conditions:

1. Don't use (or stop using) the equipment.
2. Tag/label the equipment UNSAFE--DO NOT USE and describe the problem.
3. Notify your supervisor, FIXIT or the service company, as appropriate.
Electrical safety is for everyone because even contact with the standard 117
volt electrical circuits, which we constantly use, can be lethal under certain
conditions.

Warnings and Signs example:

An important administrative control for electrical safety is

to have warnings and signs when there is work on electrical
circuits. Although the sign can be a simple warning of
electrical danger, the best warnings contain as much
information as possible about the electrical

Mechanical Safety

Much of a mechanical engineers work is done on a computer and in an office

setting, they also spend time around dangerous tools and machines and
hazardous chemicals at job sites and in laboratories.

Safety Precautions:
(A): General Machine Shop:
1: Be sure that all machines have effective and properly working guards that
are always in place where machines are operating.
2: Replace guards immediately after any repair.
3: Dont attempt to oil, clean, adjust or repair any machine while it is
running, stop the machine and lock the power switch in the off position.
4: Even after the power is off, dont leave the machine until it has stopped
running. Someone else may notice that it is still in motion and be injured.
5: Dont operate any machine unless authorized, to do so by the instructor or
under his supervision.
6: Dont try to stop the machine with your hand or body.
7: Always see that work and cutting tools on any machine are clamped
securely before starting.
8: Keep the floor clean of metal chips or curls and waste pieces, put them in
container provided for such things.
9: Dont operate machinery when the instructor is not in the workshop.
10: When working with another worker only one should operate machine or
switches.
11: Dont rest against the machine.
12: Concentrate on the work and dont talk unnecessary while operating
machine.
13: Dont talk to others when they are operating a machine.
14; Get first aid immediately for any injury.
15: Be sure you have sufficient light to see clearly check with the supervisor
if you dont enough.
Clothing and Safety Equipment:
1: Always wear safety glasses, or face shields designed for the type of the
work operating any machine
2: Wear safety shoes if heavy work is being done.
3: Wear clothing suited for the job, wear shoes with thick soles.
4: Dont wear rings, watches, bracelets or other jewelry that could get could
get caught in moving machinery.
5: Dont wear neck ties or loose turn clothing of any kind.
6: Wear shirts or uppers with sleeves cut off or rolled above the elbows.
7: Always remove, gloves before turning on or operating a machine. If
material is rough and sharp then gloves must be work place or handle
material with machine turned off.