Construction Safety Safety Expectation Accidents Causes and Costs Types Prevention Government Agencies Occupational Safety and Health Admin.

Safety Expectation American workers EXPECT safety in the workplace. In order to maintain safety, everyone needs to cooperate and follows safety rules & regulations. Everyone must be alert and aware of potential health and safety hazards. The necessity of safe operations and of protecting and conserving lives by preventing accidents is understood by all.

American workers EXPECT safety in the workplace.

In order to maintain safety, everyone needs to cooperate and follows safety rules & regulations.

Everyone must be alert and aware of potential health and safety hazards.

The necessity of safe operations and of protecting and conserving lives by preventing accidents is understood by all.

Safety Expectation Accident rates have fallen within the last twenty years Primarily due to the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 Specific regulations for Construction But the construction industry has not improved the record, whereas other high hazard industries have. CONSTRUCTION is a hazardous profession.

Accident rates have fallen within the last twenty years

Primarily due to the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970

Specific regulations for Construction

But the construction industry has not improved the record, whereas other high hazard industries have.

CONSTRUCTION is a hazardous profession.

Safety Expectation It is the CONTRACTOR’s responsibility to see that everything possible is done to provide a safe working environment for the work force and the public in general.

It is the CONTRACTOR’s responsibility to see that everything possible is done to provide a safe working environment for the work force and the public in general.

Safety Expectation These factors motivate safe practices by contractors: Humanitarian concerns Economic costs and benefits Legal and regulatory considerations

These factors motivate safe practices by contractors:

Humanitarian concerns

Economic costs and benefits

Legal and regulatory considerations

Safety Expectation Due to the high potential of accidents on a job site, the contractor must accept the liabilities associated with such hazardous environment. Contractors is responsible for committing and maintaining safe practices and accident prevention on the job site

Due to the high potential of accidents on a job site, the contractor must accept the liabilities associated with such hazardous environment.

Contractors is responsible for committing and maintaining safe practices and accident prevention on the job site

Accidents Causes & Costs The heart of safety begins with: People’s actions Conditions on site When an accident or near miss occurs on a job site, the focus tends to be on the conditions of the job site at any given time. Unsafe acts or unsafe conditions cause ACCIDENTS

The heart of safety begins with:

People’s actions

Conditions on site

When an accident or near miss occurs on a job site, the focus tends to be on the conditions of the job site at any given time.

Unsafe acts or unsafe conditions cause ACCIDENTS

Accidents Causes & Costs Unsafe conditions are hazards that can cause injuries Physical hazards Defective tools Unprotected openings Improper storage of equipment and materials Environmental hazards Contaminants brought onto job site without proper containment

Unsafe conditions are hazards that can cause injuries

Physical hazards

Defective tools

Unprotected openings

Improper storage of equipment and materials

Environmental hazards

Contaminants brought onto job site without proper containment

Accidents Causes & Costs Unsafe acts are caused by the actions of people on the job site Things a person should have done Informing others about unsafe conditions Neglecting to inform is neglecting to act Things a person should have done differently If person performs work inappropriately, they are acting improperly Things a person should not have done at all If person proceeds into hazardous area despite warnings, that person is acting how they shouldn’t

Unsafe acts are caused by the actions of people on the job site

Things a person should have done

Informing others about unsafe conditions

Neglecting to inform is neglecting to act

Things a person should have done differently

If person performs work inappropriately, they are acting improperly

Things a person should not have done at all

If person proceeds into hazardous area despite warnings, that person is acting how they shouldn’t

Accidents Causes & Costs Typical causes of construction accidents: Substance abuse (alcohol and drugs) Neglect of surroundings Schedule pressures Leads to carelessness Too much confidence in one’s skills Behavior and work practices

Typical causes of construction accidents:

Substance abuse (alcohol and drugs)

Neglect of surroundings

Schedule pressures

Leads to carelessness

Too much confidence in one’s skills

Behavior and work practices

Accidents Causes & Costs The cost of accidents are staggering Someone always gets hurt Family suffer emotional and financial implications Possible inability to work due to prolonged pain, increased fear of reinjury and loss of income potential Affects worker morale Especially in case where death of a worker is involved Worry over the person’s welfare Fear of being injured themselves Guilt over not preventing the accident

The cost of accidents are staggering

Someone always gets hurt

Family suffer emotional and financial implications

Possible inability to work due to prolonged pain, increased fear of reinjury and loss of income potential

Affects worker morale

Especially in case where death of a worker is involved

Worry over the person’s welfare

Fear of being injured themselves

Guilt over not preventing the accident

Accidents Causes & Costs The cost of accidents are staggering Loss of labor Skilled laborer is removed from job site Breaks up productivity of crew Deplete morale Increased insurance costs Decreased bonding levels Both can cause competivity issues when bidding future work

The cost of accidents are staggering

Loss of labor

Skilled laborer is removed from job site

Breaks up productivity of crew

Deplete morale

Increased insurance costs

Decreased bonding levels

Both can cause competivity issues when bidding future work

Accidents Causes & Costs The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly DIRECT COSTS: Insurance Health and Medical expenses Workman’s compensation Loss of Productivity and personnel time Damaged property, material and equipment Cleanup and repair Cost of retraining or replacing skilled labor

The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly

DIRECT COSTS:

Insurance

Health and Medical expenses

Workman’s compensation

Loss of Productivity and personnel time

Damaged property, material and equipment

Cleanup and repair

Cost of retraining or replacing skilled labor

Accidents Causes & Costs The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly INDIRECT COSTS : Insurance premiums Workers’ Compensation Medical insurance Penalties Contractors can be hit with monetary penalties from government agencies such as OSHA and MOSHA (Maryland OSHA)

The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly

INDIRECT COSTS :

Insurance premiums

Workers’ Compensation

Medical insurance

Penalties

Contractors can be hit with monetary penalties from government agencies such as OSHA and MOSHA (Maryland OSHA)

Accidents Causes & Costs The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly INDIRECT COSTS : Liability Most Workers’ Comp laws limit an employee from suing his or her employer But, people can file suit against manufacturer of faulty equipment, which in turn can file suit against contractor Called THIRD-PARTY lawsuits Contractors can file suit against each other if the accident was caused by any one another General public can file suit against contractor

The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly

INDIRECT COSTS :

Liability

Most Workers’ Comp laws limit an employee from suing his or her employer

But, people can file suit against manufacturer of faulty equipment, which in turn can file suit against contractor

Called THIRD-PARTY lawsuits

Contractors can file suit against each other if the accident was caused by any one another

General public can file suit against contractor

Accidents Causes & Costs The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly INDIRECT COSTS : Public Relations Serious accidents become the headline story for the television news and newspaper Company’s reputation is seriously damaged by this type of coverage Attention, both public and investigative, will hover around the job site causing work productivity to go down Future jobs are compromised when contractors have to explain circumstances around accident

The costs of accidents is high, both directly and indirectly

INDIRECT COSTS :

Public Relations

Serious accidents become the headline story for the television news and newspaper

Company’s reputation is seriously damaged by this type of coverage

Attention, both public and investigative, will hover around the job site causing work productivity to go down

Future jobs are compromised when contractors have to explain circumstances around accident

Accidents Causes & Costs The Statistics Construction accounts for 6% of work force in United States Construction has 12% of the injuries in the U.S. 250,000 – 300,000 injuries per year 3,000 result in death Days lost per 100 workers reach 144.5 annually Two times national average

The Statistics

Construction accounts for 6% of work force in United States

Construction has 12% of the injuries in the U.S.

250,000 – 300,000 injuries per year

3,000 result in death

Days lost per 100 workers reach 144.5 annually

Two times national average

Accidents Causes & Costs The Statistics Construction yearly revenues is about $650 billion Risk and liability insurance averages about 1% of direct labor costs Workers’ comp insurance averages about 7% of direct labor costs Direct labor costs is about 25% of project costs

The Statistics

Construction yearly revenues is about $650 billion

Risk and liability insurance averages about 1% of direct labor costs

Workers’ comp insurance averages about 7% of direct labor costs

Direct labor costs is about 25% of project costs

Accidents Causes & Costs The Statistics DO THE MATH: $650 billion x 25% = $162 billion in payroll Risk and liability insurance: $162 billion x 1% = $1.6 billion Workers’ compensation insurance: $162 billion x 7% = $11.3 billion TOTAL INSURANANCE COSTS = 12.9 billion

The Statistics

DO THE MATH:

$650 billion x 25% = $162 billion in payroll

Risk and liability insurance: $162 billion x 1% = $1.6 billion

Workers’ compensation insurance: $162 billion x 7% = $11.3 billion

TOTAL INSURANANCE COSTS = 12.9 billion

Accidents Types Leading type of construction accidents: FALLS BEING STRUCK BY SOMETHING BEING INJURED BY ELECTRICITY These make up about 90% of all deaths in the construction industry

Leading type of construction accidents:

FALLS

BEING STRUCK BY SOMETHING

BEING INJURED BY ELECTRICITY

These make up about 90% of all deaths in the construction industry

Accidents Prevention Safety is an ATTITUTE starts with top management and is reflected on the job and to the people Safety training Housekeeping (keeping site clean of debris) Tool box meetings Adherence to safety measures Maintenance of equipment and tools Intolerance to violations

Safety is an ATTITUTE

starts with top management and is reflected on the job and to the people

Safety training

Housekeeping (keeping site clean of debris)

Tool box meetings

Adherence to safety measures

Maintenance of equipment and tools

Intolerance to violations

Accidents Prevention Implement Safety Programs Development of program is mandated by OSHA Typical safety program has two components: Overall corporate safety program Site-specific safety program A strong corporate program is the foundation of the site safety program Needs constant feedback from site to be effective

Implement Safety Programs

Development of program is mandated by OSHA

Typical safety program has two components:

Overall corporate safety program

Site-specific safety program

A strong corporate program is the foundation of the site safety program

Needs constant feedback from site to be effective

Accidents Prevention Overall corporate program Lay out responsibility of the top executives in regards to safety Identify methods of measuring performance Institute control measures through supervisory personnel Define reporting requirements in the event of an accident Develop safety training for employees Institute disciplinary warnings Provide incentives for those who achieve high standards of safety

Overall corporate program

Lay out responsibility of the top executives in regards to safety

Identify methods of measuring performance

Institute control measures through supervisory personnel

Define reporting requirements in the event of an accident

Develop safety training for employees

Institute disciplinary warnings

Provide incentives for those who achieve high standards of safety

Accidents Prevention Site-specific programs Explains the work that must be done at the site before and during the construction Safety team is identified Project manager Superintendent Crew Foremen Procedures are put in place and enforced throughout job

Site-specific programs

Explains the work that must be done at the site before and during the construction

Safety team is identified

Project manager

Superintendent

Crew Foremen

Procedures are put in place and enforced throughout job

Accidents Prevention Site-specific programs Layout of job site; location of: Jobsite entrance Jobsite trailer First-aid station Sanitation facilities Right-to-know information postings Breakout areas Areas must be clearly visible, well marked and easy to reach

Site-specific programs

Layout of job site; location of:

Jobsite entrance

Jobsite trailer

First-aid station

Sanitation facilities

Right-to-know information postings

Breakout areas

Areas must be clearly visible, well marked and easy to reach

Accidents Prevention Site-specific programs Layout of job site must also consider how the public will be protected. Signs Barricades Police details Temporary lighting Walkways and overhead protections

Site-specific programs

Layout of job site must also consider how the public will be protected.

Signs

Barricades

Police details

Temporary lighting

Walkways and overhead protections

Accidents Prevention Site-specific programs Program should also include documentation of emergency notification procedures Who to call in case of emergency with correct phone numbers

Site-specific programs

Program should also include documentation of emergency notification procedures

Who to call in case of emergency with correct phone numbers

Accidents Prevention Employee Orientation and Training Educating ignorance of the hazard Message is delivered in various ways First-day orientation On-the-job training Attendance at OSHA courses and conferences Toolbox meetings

Employee Orientation and Training

Educating ignorance of the hazard

Message is delivered in various ways

First-day orientation

On-the-job training

Attendance at OSHA courses and conferences

Toolbox meetings

Accidents Prevention Safety Meetings Monthly meetings are held to direct and monitor the effectiveness of the safety program Report of any accident or near miss with review of corrective action Review of new regulatory activity Results of project safety audits Weekly toolbox meetings conducted by foreman Focus on spreading info about specific safety hazards Accidents and near misses are discussed Updated info regarding hazardous substances/material

Safety Meetings

Monthly meetings are held to direct and monitor the effectiveness of the safety program

Report of any accident or near miss with review of corrective action

Review of new regulatory activity

Results of project safety audits

Weekly toolbox meetings conducted by foreman

Focus on spreading info about specific safety hazards

Accidents and near misses are discussed

Updated info regarding hazardous substances/material

Accidents Prevention Preventive Devices Provide safe conditions for the workers on job sites FALL PROTECTION Required when workers above 6 feet in areas with sides and edges are open Protections include guardrails, safety nets, personal fall restraints, covers and controlled access zones PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Hard hats, safety goggles, protective clothing (including pants and boots)

Preventive Devices

Provide safe conditions for the workers on job sites

FALL PROTECTION

Required when workers above 6 feet in areas with sides and edges are open

Protections include guardrails, safety nets, personal fall restraints, covers and controlled access zones

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Hard hats, safety goggles, protective clothing (including pants and boots)

Accidents Prevention Preventive Devices Provide safe conditions for the workers on job sites FIRE PROTECTION Combustibles and flammables must be kept in special containers Fire extinguishers must be available and placed on jobsite SIGNS, SIGNALS AND BARRICADES Gives info to workers and general public about hazardous conditions Flag-waving garments, traffic control, visible signs and signals and barricades

Preventive Devices

Provide safe conditions for the workers on job sites

FIRE PROTECTION

Combustibles and flammables must be kept in special containers

Fire extinguishers must be available and placed on jobsite

SIGNS, SIGNALS AND BARRICADES

Gives info to workers and general public about hazardous conditions

Flag-waving garments, traffic control, visible signs and signals and barricades

Government Agencies Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) In 1970, federal government passed the OSHAct Ensures workers have consistently safe work environments Provides standards and rules for healthful and safe work environments, tools, equipment and processes OSHA conducts investigations to make sure its standards are being followed

In 1970, federal government passed the OSHAct

Ensures workers have consistently safe work environments

Provides standards and rules for healthful and safe work environments, tools, equipment and processes

OSHA conducts investigations to make sure its standards are being followed

Government Agencies Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) OSHA will inspect workplace or jobsite If violations are found, inspectors will likely issue citation listing violations Infractions and penalties could be imposed Fines range from $7,000 to $70,000 OSHA ensures compliance through SURPRISE visits to job sites. Responds to worker’s complaints regarding unsafe conditions

OSHA will inspect workplace or jobsite

If violations are found, inspectors will likely issue citation listing violations

Infractions and penalties could be imposed

Fines range from $7,000 to $70,000

OSHA ensures compliance through SURPRISE visits to job sites.

Responds to worker’s complaints regarding unsafe conditions

Government Agencies Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) OSHA allows individual states to establish their own programs for safety States regulations must meet or exceed OSHA’s standards Maryland has MOSHA (Maryland OSHA)

OSHA allows individual states to establish their own programs for safety

States regulations must meet or exceed OSHA’s standards

Maryland has MOSHA (Maryland OSHA)

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