Report of Hazards

at the Construction Site

of NS Construction Sdn. Bhd.

By

Index No: NS4367

IC NO: 620121-71-5465

Safety and Health Officer Examination (2/2008)

Paper III Part 2: Workplace Assignment

18 June 2007- 31 June 2007

 PERAKUAN TUGASAN TEMPAT KERJA
WORKPLACE ASSIGNMENT VERIFICATION

Adalah dengan ini saya mengaku bahawa dokumen ini disediakan untuk Peperiksaan
Pegawai Keselamatan dan Kesihatan adalah berdasarkan hasil kerja asal saya sendiri kecuali
sedutan atau petikan.

I hereby certify that this document prepared for the Safety and Health Officer Examination
is based on my original work except for citation and quotation made.

Tandatangan :………………………………………………..
Signature

No. Kad. Pengenalan :……………………………………………….

I.C.No.

No. Indeks :………………………………………………

Index. No

Tarikh : 21 July 2007

Date

2
 Table of Contents

No Title Page

WORKPLACE ASSIGNMENT VERIFICATION 2

1.0 ABSTRACT 4

2.0 INTRODUCTION 5

3.0 OBJECTIVE 8

4.0 METHOD 9

4.1 Hazard Identification 9

4.2 Risk Assessment 10

5.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION 14

5.1 List of Hazards 14

5.2 Prioritizing Hazard 14

5.3 Impact on the most critical hazard 18

6.0 RECOMMENDATION 19

6.1 Control Measures 19

6.2 Review 22

6.3 Benefits 23

7.0 REFERENCES/RESOURCES 24

8.0 APPENDIX A – ORGANIZATION CHART

APPENDIX B – SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE CHART

APPENDIX C – PICTURES

3
1.0 ABSTRACT

This report attempts to identify all hazards at a chosen workplace that leads to risks

and how safety and health measures could bring about beneficial end results by

containing or preventing these risks from bringing harm to the workers and the

organization. The workplace identified in the assignment that could contribute to

high risks and harm is the “Working At Height” and “Noise” at a Construction Site.

The report sets out to identify the many forms of hazards at the workplace and a few

suitable techniques that were selected to tabulate the risks involved. The risk

assessment process was used as the main technique to access and evaluate the risks

of the hazards identified. Among these, the most critical hazard was seen to be the

working at height for safety hazard and noise for health hazard. The control

measures to eliminate or reduce this critical hazard are then recommended based on

the findings, results and reviews obtained with appropriate references/sources and

appendices.

4
2.0 INTRODUCTION

NS Construction Sdn Bhd was established in 1974 with its core business being the

Building Construction work apart from dealing in other trades. The company was

restructured in 1994 and had since been managed by the present Board of Directors.

The nature of business is Building Construction and Civil Works.

Organization Chart

Director

General Manager

Site Manager

Site Engineer

Storekeeper Site Supervisor Quantity Surveyor Safety Project

and Coordinator
Health
Assistant Assistant Assistant Quantity Officer
Storekeeper Site Surveyor
Supervisor

Lorry Driver

Activities

There are a lot of activities done in the construction site, but for the purpose of this

assignment only building works are discussed. The activities that are discussed in

this report are on how building works are carried out, erection of scaffolding,

installation of roof trusses and roof coverings.

5
Work Environment

The entire process and activities has various hazards. We may observe their

existence from the initial stage of the building works. The hazard identified are

working at height that can cause falling from height, falling object, slip, trip and fall

from scaffold, heat stress, exposed to weather conditions (rain, drizzles etc) and

health hazards due to inhalation of dusts.

Work Process

a. Before the work start safety induction will be given to all supervisors and

workers for the work that involves.

b. Fabrication of roof trusses and roof covering are done in the factory

according to the specification stipulated in the Contracts Document.

c. After the fabrication of roof structure completed, the roof structure will be

transported to site and a 20 tone mobile crane is required to hoist the roof

trusses and covering.

d. Scaffolding erection work is required to work at height for the installation of

the roof structure.

e. Welding and painting works on the roof trusses are done on the ground

before installing them.

f. When the roof is completed, plastering and painting works will follow suit.

When all the building works are completed, dismantling work for the

scaffolding, cleaning and clearing work at site will commence. Returning of

tools and equipments to tools store requires very strict work ruling. The

6
 supervision of the entire process is very critical to avoid any accidents

through careless action of the workers.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

A number of objectives will be fulfilled in this assignment, as follows:

a. Identification of signification safety and health risks posed at the workplace.

b. Identification of workplace safety and health risks and hazards.

c. Estimation of severity of the safety and health risks from each of the safety

and health hazards.

d. Based on their risk rating, determine the likelihood and severity of each

safety and health hazard by the use of Qualitative and Quantitative Risk

Table.

e. Discuss control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of most critical

safety and health hazards.

f. Recommend post analysis of program to ensure continuity of effectively

managing Safety and Health at the work place.

7
4.0 METHOD

4.1 Hazard Identification

The first step in the managing risk is through hazard identification at the workplace.

All these hazards can be categorized into 5 categories:

a. Mechanical Hazard

Machinery, its parts, tools, objects and materials processed or used in the

work process are often a source of mechanical hazards leading to injuries.

b. Physical Hazard

Any hazard associated with that could cause physical harm, including but not

limited to corrosives, flammability, or explosion hazards. This hazard can

cause explosions, fires, violent chemical reactions, or other hazardous

situations.

c. Chemical Hazard

A chemical hazard is any substance that can cause harm. Chemicals which

are stored in the workplace and at the house and can result in serious injuries

if were not properly handled.

d. Biological Hazard

A biological hazard or biohazard is an organism, or substance derived from

an organism, that poses a threat to (primarily) human health. This can include

medical waste, samples of a microorganism, virus or toxin (from a biological

source) that can impact human health. It can also include substances harmful

to animals. The term and its associated symbol are generally used as a

warning, so that those potentially exposed to the substances will know to

take precautions.

8
 e. Ergonomic Hazard

Ergonomic Hazards includes workplace hazard which related between man

and machine. Material Handling and Back Injuries provides information on

back belts, lifting, pushing and pulling, and material handling aids.

Repetitive Motion Injuries provides information on musculoskeletal injuries,

risk factors, design hazards, wrist splints, and ergonomic hand tools.

Hazards could be identified through many methods such as identification,

inspection, data analysis, interviews, or hazard reporting system by workers.

4.1.1 Identification Method

Through this method, we can easily identify any hazard exist at the workplace.

Every job performed must be classified into various steps to ensure the hazards

could be identified including the risk.

4.1.2 Inspection Method

By doing inspection at the workplace, we could also identify hazards. Inspection

should be done on schedule basis or by ad-hoc.

4.1.2 Data Analysis Method

Through this method, all data such as the accident data could provide us the

information on the existing hazard occurs; it includes also the near miss and the

diseases infection data.

4.2 Risk Assessment

All hazards identified must be assessed of its risk. Risk assessment will be

performed through risk estimation and risk evaluation. This value is represented by

two parameters that are probability and severity. Every probability and severity is

9
 valued accordingly by high or low of the hazardous event as per Figure 1 and

Figure 2.

PROBABILITY DEFINITION
Very likely Can happen frequently
Likely Could happen occasionally
Unlikely Could happen, but not rarely
Highly unlikely Could happen, but probably never will

Figure 1 – Valuation on Probability

SEVERITY DEFINITION
Fatality Death
Serious Injury Sick leave for more than 4 days/permanent
disability
Injury Sick leave maximum of 4 days/permanent
disability
Small Injury Near miss/First Aid

Figure 2 – Valuation on Severity

This type of assessment is called Qualitative Risk.

Events or situations assessed as very likely with fatality consequences are the most

serious (HIGH) risk and those assessed as high unlikely with negligible injuries are

the least serious (LOW) risk. This can be seen on Figure 3 below for the Qualitative

Risk Table.

Consequences Likelihood
Very likely Likely Unlikely Highly unlikely
Fatality High High High Medium
Major injuries High High Medium Medium
Minor injuries High Medium Medium Low
Negligible injuries Medium Medium Low Low

Figure 3 – Qualitative Risk Table

From definition,

Risk = Consequences X Likelihood

10
In real scenario, we could not explain the risk by saying high or low because

sometimes there are existing two types of hazard and with the same level of risk

high, but the question is how high it is. So to differentiate the level of risk, the

estimate risks were represented by numbers. Numbers are given to present the level

of “likelihood” and “severity”. This numbers can be multiply, and ranked by value

for 4 – higher and 1 – low.

This type of assessment is then called Quantitative Risk. This can be seen on Figure

4 and 5 below.

VALUE PROBABILITY DEFINITION

4 Very likely Can happen frequently
3 Likely Could happen occasionally
2 Unlikely Could happen, but not rarely
1 Highly unlikely Could happen, but probably never will

Figure 4 – Valuation on Probability

VALUE SEVERITY DEFINITION

4 Fatality Death
3 Serious Injury Sick leave for more than 4 days/permanent
disability
2 Injury Sick leave maximum of 4 days/permanent disability
1 Small Injury Near miss/First Aid

Figure 5 – Valuation on Severity

For example:

Likelihood: Very Likely (Daily) =4

Likely (Weekly) =3

Unlikely (Monthly) =2

High Unlikely (Yearly) =1 and

Severity Fatality or Permanent Disability =4

Major Injuries (more than 4 days MC) =3

11
 Minor Injuries (less than 0r 4 days MC) =2

Negligible Injuries (first aid and near miss) = 1

Calculation example:

Likelihood of hazard is estimated =2

The severity is estimated =4

Then, the risk will be =2X4=8

This risk assessment can be seen on 2 D Matrix Table on Figure 6 below.

Consequences Likelihood
Very likely Likely Unlikely Highly unlikely
(4) (3) (2) (1)
Fatality High High High Medium
(4) (16) (12) (8) (4)
Major injuries High High Medium Medium
(3) (12) (9) (6) (3)
Minor injuries High Medium Medium Low
(2) (8) (6) (4) (2)
Negligible injuries Medium Medium Low Low
(1) (4) (3) (2) (1)

Figure 6 - Risk Assessment on 2 D Matrix Table

5.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

5.1 List of hazards

After performing the hazard identification and risk assessment, here are lists of

hazard found on the work area. These hazards were categorized on the level of their

risk. The higher the risk, the hazard will be placed on top among them.

a. Safety Hazard

i. Working at height

ii. Erection of scaffolding/roof structure

12
 iii. Welding

iv. Loading/Unloading materials

b. Health Hazard

v. Noise

vi. Heat Stress

5.2 Prioritizing Hazard

Prioritization of hazards was conducted by applying risk assessment method. Risk

Assessment Matrix designed for each hazard at the workplace. Through this matrix,

all hazards that were identified through the above methods were weighted by their

risk elements through respective data and tables, their possible occurrences and risks

involved. The combination of all components in each activity was able to provide a

comprehensive tabulation as on Figure 7 below (from descending order):

Type of hazard Hazard Severity Likelihood Risk Value

Safety hazard Working at height 4 4 16 High
Erection 4 3 12 High
scaffolding/roof
structure
Welding 3 3 9 High
Loading/unloading of 2 2 4 Medium
material
Health hazard Noise 4 4 16 High
Heat Stress 4 3 12 High

Figure 7 – Hazard List and Risk Value Table

5.2 Impact on the most critical hazard

a. Working at height (safety hazard)

Risk = Probability X Severity

(16) = 4X4

13
 b. Hazard Effect

Effect on this hazard will cause severe injuries and sometimes causing death

to the victim. Most of the work processes were done at height. The work

environment consists of working on high rise building or erection tower. The

chances or probability of getting involved in chances of fall from height are

very great and be valued as 4 (can happen frequently) and the severity was

also high and valued as 4 (fatality).

c. Noise (health hazard)

Risk = Probability X Severity

(16) = 4X4

Noise is the most common hazard in the workplace. It comes from the

machine. Effect on this hazard is very severe. The damage impact on the ear

takes on gradually effect without the knowledge of the worker. Most of the

damage is permanent.

6.0 RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Control measures

The most critical hazard either safety or health must be controlled. The control

measures of these hazards were done in according with means of hierarchy of

control. The steps are as follows:

a. Working at height (Safety Hazard)

i. Elimination

This method of control of hazard is the most effective way of

controlling. By eliminating the hazard then there will be no more

hazards exist. But it is impossible to use this method because we have

14
 to work at height. Even though this most effective method, but it is

rather unpractical to exercise. No working at height means no high

rise building will exist. So we have to go to the next method.

ii. Substitution

This second method of control under the hierarchy of control is by

substituting the hazards. Now we know that the hazard is working at

height. What can we do to substitute by not working at height? The

entire jobs performed are on the high rise building. Whether we like

or not the world today, we must build high rise building to save area.

There is no other means of technology to replace high rise building

for people to work with. So to replace working at height with other

means of technology is impossible. Substitution of other methods is

unpractical even though is good. So we have to go the next method

that isolation.

iii. Isolation

This method is rather practical to perform. We cannot isolate people

from working with height. In construction industry, most of the jobs

are working at height if we want to erect new building. How can we

perform our job such as installing roof structure for high rise building

by working from the ground level? We have to go up. The only way

we can do is by isolating other people who are not involved with the

task to work at height, but working at height for the concerned

workers must be done. This method is not practical.

15
iv. Administrative Control

Through this control, we can administer the workers who must work

at height, by authorizing designated workers who must work at height

to work on that height. For non-concerned workers we must restrict

them to work at heights. We must permit certain workers only by

issuing them permit to work with height. For those who are without

permit are not authorized to work at height.

v. Engineering Control

The next method is engineering control. Engineering control by

barricade and guarding the entrance of building to prevent

unauthorized personnel to work at height. Signages must be posted to

inform workers who are not involved with working at height to clear

off from the building.

vi. Personal Protective Equipment

This is the last resort of controlling method. To do this, we have to

issue all personnel who are working at height with proper PPE such

as full body harness. All workers who are working at height are to

ensure to use this PPE for their own safety. Monitoring and

surveillance must be done as regular as possible to ensure these

workers obey the rules to use this PPE. By wearing this PPE, hazards

of falling from height can be reduced. Workers must be taught to use

this harness and how to take care of this PPE. Once the PPE is

damage, employer must replace them as soon as possible.

16
b. Noise (Health Hazard)

i. Elimination

Through this method we have to eliminate all machineries that

produce noise at the workplace. All machines produce noise. It is

impossible to practice since we have to use the machine to perform

our task, even though through elimination we can eliminate the noise

hazards.

ii. Substitution

Substitution method is by substituting all machines which are much

quieter than the existing machines. It can be done but it will costly to

replace the machines. We have to consider the amount we have to

spend on buying new and quieter machines. This method is good but

costly.

iii. Isolation

By isolating the machines from the workplace is rather unpractical.

The only way we can do is by isolating non-involved personnel from

the noisy area. But what about the working personnel who is directly

involved with the machines? To do this we have to use other control

to overcome this. So, isolation is good but needs other control

methods to make it better.

iv. Engineering Control

Through this control it can be done by designing noise absorption

device on the machineries so that the noise created can be reduced.

17
 Even though by doing this is practical but the cost that makes it hard

to consider. Then we have to go to the next control method.

v. Administrative Control

This method of control will involve management. Through this

method we have to limit the exposure of noise to workers, install

proper signage on noise, monitoring on workers condition and health,

and conduct training on noise for workers such as work safe

procedure and noise conservation program.

vi. Personal Protective Equipment

This method of control is the last resort on controlling risk. Every

worker must be provided with PPE such as ear muff or ear plug

whenever they are involved with noisy area.

6.2 Review

Reviewing on the recommendation for improving any lacking and to ensure the

effectiveness of the control measures proposed must be performed. This review

process must be done ongoing in accordance with necessity such as for example if

there is a change in the work process or work procedure. The review process should

be done through:

a. Referring to the accident records for comparison from time to time.

b. Getting feedback from workers on the effectiveness of the control measures

through discussion, meeting, questionnaires and reports.

c. Medical records of workers from Occupational Health Doctor.

d. Surveillance and implementation on using of PPE with workers whether they

are suit to them, knows how they are being utilized, taking care and used.

18
6.3 Benefits

a. To the Company

i. will increase productivity.

ii. will give good reputation to the Company

iii. will reduce the number of accident

iv. will follow all the laws and regulations

b. For Workers

i. will increase awareness and knowledge on the importance of

practicing safety and health at the workplace

ii. will reduce accident to the workers

iii. will produce a good working environment

iv. will ensure the safety and health of workers being taking care of

v. will follow the required laws and regulations of the government

19
7.0 REFERENCES/SOURCES

a. ILBS, Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514) & Regulations

and Orders, International Law Book Service

b. ILBS, Factories and Machinery Act 1967 with Regulations, International

Law Book Service

c. NIOSH, Module 1 – Occupational Safety and Health Management, NIOSH

Publisher, 2004

d. Guidelines on Working at Height by DOSH.

20