AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH.

LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat

SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION
Introduction Construction industry is unorganized and therefore the safety practices in the construction projects are rudimentary. The workers come from rural background and return home at the harvest time. Basically their employment in the construction project is of casual nature, so they are susceptible to construction accidents. HAZARDS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Construction by its very nature is hazardous. The largest single category for both injuries and fatalities are individual falls. Handling goods in another significant cause of injuries. In general, types of likely hazards during construction projects: 1. Falling of persons from height 2. Falling of materials from height 3. Exposure of heat/cold radiation 4. Exposure to or of contact with potentially harmful substances 5. Contact with electric current 6. Overexertion 7. Injury due to projected reinforced rods 8. Striking against objects 9. Accident due to lifting equipment 10. Loose scaffolding 11. Machinery 12. Tunneling 13. Poisons, gassing, toxic materials 14. Impact noise and excavators 15. Diseases caused during construction include deafness due to noise impact, bone fracture, mental stress diseases due to vibration, muscle strain, skin diseases, cancer, tuberculosis 16. Injuries due to welding WHY AN ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAMME Accident prevention programme must be made an integral part of the construction industry because it is aimed to reduce the number of accidents and thereby the cost of construction. The following are the primary objectives of the accident prevention programme: A) Safety of personnel (measured in terms of ) i. to reduce the human lives sacrificed ii. to lessen the temporary and permanent injuries to workers iii. to prevent needless pain and sufferings to its employees B) Safety of materials and equipment i. To avoid loss of materials or spoilage of materials ii. To avoid loss of or damage to equipment C) Safety of structure i. To provide minimum cost of construction of structure or demolition of structure ii. And thereby ensuring the good quality of the output and better rate of construction

Dr Chitrarekha Kabre

AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH. LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat D) Management consideration Management derives the greatest benefit from accident prevention programme in terms of the following: i. To eliminate the cost of workmens compensation insurance ii. To avoid loss of time because of accidents iii. To get greater margin of profit because of minimum cost of construction or operation. iv. To generate the confidence and trust of employees for its strong stability. CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS An accident is an unplanned incident and for each such incident there is usually a specific cause or causes if one could but discover them.

Causes of accident Technical Causes Mechanical factors

Mechanical Factors Signifying the unsafe conditions, reflect deficiencies in plant, equipment, tools, materials handling system etc. Inherent engineering hazards such as use of explosives, gas, toxic dusts etc. Failure of temporary structures such as scaffolding, forms, ladders. Uncontrollable contact between men and equipment or between men and materials. i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. Unsafe mechanical design or construction Hazardous arrangements (piling, overloading etc.) Improper machine guarding Defective devices Improper material handling Broken safety guards Protruding nails Leaking acid valve Untested boilers or pressure vessels

Human Causes Personal factors

Management factors

Environmental factors

Dr Chitrarekha Kabre

AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH. LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat

Environmental Factors
Environmental factors also signify unsafe conditions of work environment indicating physical and atmospheric conditions of work which indirectly promote the occurrence of accidents. i. Very low temperature which causes shivering ii. Very high temperature which causes headache and sweating iii. Very high humidity which causes uncomfort, fatigue and drowsiness iv. Defective and inadequate illumination causes eyestrain, glare, shadow etc. v. Presence of dust, fumes, smoke, toxic and lack of proper ventilation vi. Noise, bad odoour and flash emanating from the nearby machinery, equipment or processes. vii. Poor housekeeping.

Personal Factors
Unsafe practices of individual workers (or human factors) signifying the unsafe acts by persons concerned are due to ignorance, carelessness, forgetfulness etc. i. Age and health ii. Home environment iii. Number of dependents and financial position iv. Lack of knowledge and skill v. Improper attitude toward work vi. Carelessness and recklessness vii. Day dreaming and inattentiveness viii. Emotional instability ix. High anxiety level x. Unnecessary exposure to risks xi. Fatigue xii. Non use or improper use of safety devices xiii. Working at unsafe speeds xiv. Overconfidence or false confidence.

Management Factors
Callousness on the part of the management in imparting accident prevention programmes causes accident. i. Non-availability of the safety accessories to the workers like helmet, plastic gloves, safety belts, gumboots, goggles etc. ii. Lack of safety instructions and training and communication gap iii. Discontinuity in regular employment in the construction industry iv. Rapid change in character of work v. Award of contract or work order to incompetent persons who do not appreciate the risks involved. vi. Lack of proper provision of safety director/officials and recruitment of technically

CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS a) near accident (i.e. an accident with no damage or injury) b) trivial c) minor d) serious e) fatal
Dr Chitrarekha Kabre

AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH. LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat

COST OF AN ACCIDENT An accident can be very costly to the injured employee as well as to the employer of the concern. Direct Cost It consists of compensation, medical and legal payments directly the organization or through their insurance schemes. Indirect Cost These losses are not covered by the insurance. They are indirect i.e. intangible but nevertheless real costs. i. Cost of lost time of the injured employee ii. Cost of lost time of other employee who stop work because of an accident iii. Cost of time by the safety engineer or supervisory staff in a. Assisting the injured employee b. Investigating the causes of accident c. Arranging someone to replace the injured employee d. Preparing an accident report. iv. Cost of damage to equipment, plant or other property v. Cost due to spoilage of materials vi. Cost of paying wages to injured employee during the period of the injury vii. Cost of lost production resulting from slowing down of other employees for a while following an accident viii. Cost of delay in production due to an accident ix. Cost of reduction in efficiency of the injured worker when he joins back after recovery x. The influence of accident on the moral of the employees. Salient features of a safety programme The salient features or characteristics of a safety programme are a) A safety programme tends to discover when, where and why accidents occur b) A safety programme aims at reducing accidents and the losses associated with them c) A safety programme begins with the assumption that most work connected accidents can be prevented. d) A safety programme is a continuous process e) A safety programme tries to reduce the influence of personal and environmental facts that cause accidents. f) A safety programme involves providing safety equipment and special training to employees g) A safety programme includes four Es (Engineering, Education, Enlistment, and Enforcement) h) I) Engineering i.e. safety at planning, design and operation level i) Ii) Education of employees for safe practices j) Iii) Enlistment concerns the attitude of employees and management towards the safety programmes k) Enforcement, i.e. to enforce adherence to safety rules and safety practices.

Dr Chitrarekha Kabre

AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH. LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat

SAFETY MEASURES FOR STORAGE AND HANDLING OF BUILDING MATERIALS All building materials must be stored in such a manner as to prevent deterioration or intrusion of foreign matter and to ensure the preservation of their quality and fitness for use. To prevent deterioration To prevent intrusion of foreign matter To ensure the preservation of their quality and fitness for use Should be protected from atmospheric effects due to rain, sun, wind or moisture to avoid deterioration Precaution against fire and other hazards to the materials like timber, coal, paint, petrol, explosives Cement Cement bags should be placed in stacks on raised platform, dry and impervious to water, with adequate waterproof roof covering and at least 30 cm clearance from any wall. The stacks should not be more than 12 bags high. Where bulk handling of cement is undertaken, protective masks should be provided to the workmen. Lime Lime in a suitable shed to protect it from dampness. It should not be stacked against any wall. Storage of unslaked fat or semi hydraulic lime is not desirable as it deteriorates by absorption of moisture form atmosphere. Bricks, Stones, and Concrete Blocks Bricks should be stacked at site on level ground in not more than 1.5 m height. Bricks of different types and classification should be stacked separately. Similarly stone blocks and concrete blocks should be stored in stacks avoiding toppling of stacks as well as crushing of the lowest layer blocks. Aggregates Fine aggregates like sand, surkhi, cinder and coarse aggregate like stone chips, bricks ballast should be stacked on a hard surface or platform in such a way to prevent the admixture of clay, dust, vegetable and other foreign matter. Timber Timber should be piled in stacks, above the ground level by at least 15 cm with an airspace of about 2.5 cm around scantlings. The width and height should not exceed 2 m and distance between adjacent stacks must be 20 cm at least. The stacks must be protected form hot day wind or direct sun or rain. Steel Steel reinforcement should be stored in a way to prevent distortion or corrosion. It is desirable to coat reinforcement with cement wash before stacking to prevent scaling and rusting. For moving heavy steel sections suitable handling equipment should be provided and workmen should never be allowed to lift with bare hands or carry them on shoulders.

Dr Chitrarekha Kabre

AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH. LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat

Doors, Window frames Metal frames, aluminium frame, wooden frames and prefabricated frames of door and windows should be stored in upright position adopting suitable measures against risk of subsidence of soil/ support. Other materials Small articles like screws, bolts, nuts, door and window fittings, water supply and sanitary fittings, electrical fittings should be kept in suitable and properly protected containers separately in store rooms. Fire extinguishers and fire buckets must be provided where fire hazards exist. SAFETY MEASURES FOR EXCAVATION (IS 3764-1966) Prior to excavation work, a complete knowledge of underground structures such as sewers, water pipes, gas mains etc is essential and proper precautions to prevent any accident. The workers must be provided with all protective devices When depth of excavation exceeds 2 m, the trenches should be securely shored and timbered. Sheathing should be placed against the side of the trench. In case of loose or soft soil, sheathing should be driven into the bottom of the trench. Excavated materials should be kept away from the edge of the trench. Heavy equipment such as excavating machineries, trucks etc. should be kept away at a suitable distance from the excavated sides. A fench or barricade should be erected and at night the area must be properly lighted. SAFETY MEASURES FOR DEMOLITION (IS 4130-1976) Before beginning the actual work of demolition a careful and detailed study of the structure to be demolished should be made. While working out the plan of demolition, safety of the adjoining structures must be ensured. The final plan of sequence of operation must be approved by the Engineer-in-charge and due permit must be obtained form the authority. Prior to demolition a. Suitable bracing, shoring etc. should be provided to prevent accidental collapse of the building which has already been damaged by fire, flood or earthquake. b. All safety appliances must be issued to the workers. c. Suitable safety precautions for the fire must be provided. During demolition a. all materials of fragile nature like glass must be removed first b. all openings should be boarded up c. dust must be controlled by suitable means to prevent them to workmen d. Adequate natural or artificial lighting and ventilation should be provided for the workmen e. Easy exit must be provided to arrange for quick evacuation of the workmen during emergency f. The demolition should always proceed systematically storey by storey in the descending order.

Dr Chitrarekha Kabre

AR 511 -A CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IX B. ARCH. LESSON PLAN DeenBandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonepat

SAFETY MEASURES FOR BITUMINOUS WORKS (IS 5916-1970)

The following safety measures should be adopted while dealing with hot bituminous works. i. An experience foreman or supervisor should be made incharge of the work to take guard against the use of defective/unsafe appliances, equipment and tools. He should keep stock of fire extinguishing devices and first aid kits. ii. Workers must be provided boots, gloves, goggles, helmets and other protective accessories. iii. Sufficient stock of clean dry sand or loose earth should be kept ready at the worksite to cope with any resultant fire. When such materials are not available, arrangement must be made for adequate supply of water to extinguish fire. iv. Working platform should be provided while laying the hot bitumen. v. When bitumen plants are working on a public road an adequate traffic control system must be established.

SAFETY MEASURES FOR SCAFFOLDING, LADDERS, FORMWORK AND OTHER EQUIPMENT (IS 3696 part I & II -1966) i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix.
All scaffolds and working platforms should be securely fastened to the building or structure. If independent of a building, they should be braced or guyed properly. In case, scaffolds are to be kept for a long period, a regular plank stairway, wide enough to allow two persons to pass, should be erected with handrails on both sides. When work is being carried out over a scaffold platform, a protective overhead covering should be provided for the men working on the scaffold. All wooden ladders or bamboo ladders must be strong enough. Ladders in heavy duty work should not exceed 6 m in length, for light work it should not exceed 8 m in length. Dismantling of scaffold should be in a proper sequence. No uninsulated electric wires should exist within 3 m of working platform. The supporting props should be individually strong and properly braced and fastened. All persons handling construction equipment should be fully acquainted with safety aspects of the machines and their operation.

Dr Chitrarekha Kabre