Safe Working Cycle (SWC)

SWC is a tool which draws all the important safety

activities such as inspection, supervision, and safety
committee meetings which are in fact the
requirements come under public works contracts and
the Factories and safety management regulation,
together in a systematic manner. It is originated in
Japan which promoted by Japan Construction Safety
and Health Association to construction companies in Figure 1:
1982. SWC provides a model to management to follow
and implement certain elements of the safety Daily SWC these items are arranged according to the
management system. This cycle clearly explains the daily schedule of the project. This means that each
responsibilities of each different worker/rank. It’s person can carry out their responsibilities according to
encourages mutual trust between supervisors and the schedule. Each organization should set the
workers at the construction sites and facilitates direct working hours of each item according to its own
communication. In addition, the cycle enables workers conditions and the characteristics of the project.
to receive and accept relevant safety training and
safety message, and ultimately generate a safety Morning safety meeting
culture. The aim of SWC is to integrate quality and It is identified as first step of the daily SWC. It includes:
safety aspects of construction so that adequate
 Announcing important matters such as project
considerations can be taken for each aspect to achieve
development, special safety information
a cost effective construction project.
 Morning exercises ex: stretching exercise
 Inspect the Personal Protective Equipment
The SWC can be classified into daily, weekly and
(PPE) and dressing
monthly. The period is ascertained by the importance,
and urgency of the construction activities. Daily cycle
Hazard identification activity
is comparatively, detailed and the coverage of the
This is the second step of daily SWC. In here team
weekly and monthly cycle can be identified as more
leaders or foremen lead team members to identify
broadly.
and find hazards in the day work before start their
works and advice workers regarding the degree of risk
Daily SWC
and measures for precaution as well.
As it is shown in Figure 1, daily SWC basically includes
eight items.

Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton

Prior to work inspection
As expressed, a prior to work inspection is an essential
activity which should be carried out immediately after
the hazard identification activity. Inspecting all the
tools, equipment, machinery and materials will ensure
those are remaining safe and in proper condition
before the start of work and usage of equipment.
Guidance and supervision at work
As it is quoted in, guidance and supervision at work
includes keeping track of implementation of the safety
measures from the hazard identification activity,
checking the compliance and solves problems that
may happen during its implementation.
Safety inspection
Safety inspection is carried out by senior management
at construction site at least once every day before the
process of safety discussion. Whole site and
surrounding areas affected by the construction is
fallen in to the scope of safety inspection. Major
safety inspection focuses are whether the construction
procedures comply with the work plan and
whether the installation process rise to unsafe
condition.
Process safety discussion
Process safety discussion provides platform to discuss
and solve problems which are identified during the
safety inspection and hazards identification activities.
Moreover, safety discussion is arranged daily at fixed
time and safety officer reviews safety performance of
the day.
Tidying up after work
This step is consisted to ensure that all the equipment,
tools, instruments and environment of the workplace
are tied up.
Final check after work
Final check after work activity is carried out after the
end of work. This is end of the daily SWC. The final
check will ensure that no accident will happen at
construction site after work, it can be a fire, flooding,
scaffolding collapse, theft or trespassing. Therefore,
prevention of those accidents and losses is the main
purpose of final check after work.
Weekly SWC
Weekly SWC aims at making an interim review of the
performance in the past week and making
arrangements for the future.
Figure 2: Weekly cycle
Monthly SWC
Monthly SWC is carried out to review the site
performance and progress, to improve the workers'
safety awareness through training and reward
schemes, and to recognize their commitment and
cooperation.
Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton
  Absent-mindedness / Nervousness
 Wilful intent to injure
 Working while under the influence of alcohol
or drugs
 Improper lifting and carrying
 Lack of knowledge or skills
 Failure to understand instructions
Unsafe Condition - it is the physical or chemical
Figure 3: Monthly SWC
property of a material, machine or the environment
Effects of Accidents
which could result in injury to a person, damage or
Accident – is an event that is unexpected, unplanned
destruction to property or other forms of losses.
and, unwanted, that results in harm to people, cause
Unsafe Conditions
damage or loss to properties.
 Wet slippery floors
Types of Construction Site Accidents
 Unstable stacking of materials
 Construction Site Falls
 Protruding re-bars Live conductors without
 Crane Accidents
insulation
 Run Over by Operating Equipment
 Equipment without machine guarding
 Electrical Accidents on Construction Site
 Poor storage of combustible materials
 Trench Collapses
Effects of Accident in Construction Industry
 Electrical Accidents on Construction Site
The effect of accident in the construction industry has
 Structure Failure on Construction Site
cost the employer a great amount of money, used in
 Building Collapse on Construction Site
reorganizing work; replace materials, manpower and
Primary Causes of Accidents
plants or compensation and legal cost. Effects of
Unsafe Act – it is the human action that departs from
accident in construction industry fall into three major
a standard job procedure or safe practice, safety
categories,
regulations or instructions.
Humanitarian - This refers the effects as concerned
Unsafe Acts
worker on the site and these include;
 Operating Equipment without Authority
 Suffering to individual
 Disregard of SOP or instructions
 Hardship to the individual
 Removing Safety Devices
 Fatality
 Using Defective equipment
 Minor injury
 Using improper PPEs or Using PPEs improperly
 Disabling injury
 Horseplay
 Possible loss of earning ability
 Working in an unsafe posture

Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton


Economic - that is the cost of supervision is the cost of
preventing accident which is responsible for efficiency
and safety on site. Also, cost of insurance involve a
large sum of money and does not even stop there but
involves additional costs that bite into the profit
margin of the project. Economic effects of accidents in
construction industry include;
 Production delay
 Increment in insurance premium.
 Legal expenses
 Time loss by the employee
 Reduced quality
 Time spent in training a temporary or
permanent replacement.
 Time spent by management and supervision
in investigating and reporting the accident.
Legal - enunciated that negligence in law call for
replacement, employers and liable for injury of the
workers during the process of carrying out duties. All
claims for damages under bodily injury made in the
name of negligence. Vicarious liability means the act
done through another person. The employer is as well
liable for the act of negligence committed by his
employee. The legal effect of accident includes;
 Legal liability
 Failure to safeguard employee being a
criminal offence leading to prosecution.
Prevention of Accidents
In order to prevent accident on construction site, site
planning must entails safe and easy access not only to
reduce hazards but also to eliminate accidents. It also
ensures that work progress rapidly.
In construction industry, there is a great need for
prevention of accidents and health hazards especially
to arrest humanitarian, economic and legal effects as
already highlighted. Towards a successful and effective
prevention the following should be given adequate
attention.
 Education and Training
 Evaluation Method
 Safety Suggestion
 Health and Safety Commission
 Power of Inspectors
 Enforcement
 Local Authority
Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton