Future Movers: Construction Site Safety Concepts

Construction Site Safety Concepts

Construction Site Safety Concepts

Course Objective At the end of this course, learners should know what is meant by: ● ● ● ●

Toolbox Meeting Good Housekeeping & 5S Line of Fire Eyes on Path

At a construction site, supervisors and co-workers might refer to safety concepts using specific terminology.

To be able to understand their meaning, familiarize yourself with the following terms and concepts.

Toolbox Meeting ● ●

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Daily meeting among workers and their supervisors Time for instruction, discussion and briefing on the planned work, the assessment of past work, the possibility or actual occurrence of accidents at the site Sharing of tips and suggestions on how to prevent possible accidents and other related matters Venue to gather lessons learned during execution of a job to inform future projects

5S Concept According to Wikipedia, 5S describes a workplace organization method that originated in Japan. It is based on the 5 Japanese words seiri (sort), seiton (set in order), seisō (shine), seiketsu (standardize), and shitsuke (sustain). Implemented correctly, 5S leads to continuous improvement on the jobsite.

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Construction Site Safety Concepts

Sort – Identify items that are needed for the job and remove the rest Set in Order – Arrange tools and equipment to promote workflow efficiency Shine – Keep the workplace clean and tidy Standardize – Set standards for an organized workplace Sustain – Maintain these standards

How to?

Sort ●

Organize items based on the frequency used – more frequently used items should be more accessible

Set in Order ● ●

Mark and label designated areas with tape or paint (e.g. place for garbage bin, box for hand tools, shelf for paint, area for lumber and other materials) Everything has a place - put everything where it belongs!

Shine ● ● ●

Clean dust and spills off the floors immediately – they are slip and trip hazards Clear out trash regularly to avoid fire hazards Put leftover building materials, garbage, tools etc. in designated areas 3

Construction Site Safety Concepts ● ●

Inspect and maintain tools regularly Fix or replace broken tools

Standardize ● ● ●

Create cleaning and maintenance schedules Display housekeeping rules Define and implement a consistent work methodology

Sustain ● ● ●

Maintain cleanliness of the workplace Train workers on the standards Regularly check, review, and adjust standards

Good Housekeeping Good housekeeping refers to a tidy and hazard-free work environment. 5S is one of the methods to get there.

Other good housekeeping considerations Remember, Good housekeeping refers to a tidy and hazard-free work environment.

Material Management ● ● ●

Avoid inventory piling in storage areas – review and assess material orders Implement a First In First Out (FIFO) concept for efficient material use Observe cleanliness in storage areas

Proper Material Stacking ● ● ●

Don’t stack cement blocks / wooden crates poorly or too high can injure people Assess the load capacity of each item, crate, box and racks Do not overload!

toppling items

Clear Access Routes ● ●

Keep entrances and exits clear of materials, tools, and trash 🡪 clear escape routes can save lives in case of emergency Don’t block hallways and corridors at any time 🡪 items can cause trip hazards 4

Construction Site Safety Concepts Waste Management and Sanitation ● ● ● ●

Segregate, gather, and remove waste according to defined construction site standards Sanitize the area according to planned frequency Control vegetation in and around the site Conduct pest control to improve site hygiene

Benefits of Good Housekeeping & 5S: ● ● ● ● ● ●

Reduced safety risks Less accidents & injuries Higher work-morale Increased productivity Lower operating costs Effective use of space

Line of Fire Being in harm’s way due to lack of awareness of the work surrounding.

Forms of harms and hazards 1. Caught in or in between a moving and a stationary object (e.g. moving vehicle and wall, get hands caught in gears) 2. Struck by falling objects or moving vehicles (be aware of travel path of machinery) 3. Struck by released energy from pressure pipes (e.g. damaged valves release steam) Potential Outcomes ● Injuries ● Incapacitation ● Death

Identify hazards ● S L A M Risks (stop-look-assess-manage) ● Look around your work area, look up for suspended load, falling objects ● Identify potentially dangerous objects 5

Construction Site Safety Concepts ● ●

Stay alert and aware Think about consequences of your actions

How to avoid hazards and dangers?

Eliminate hazards! ● Store tools properly (proper housekeeping) ● Keep walkways clear ● Use correct tools Set up engineering controls ● Put up barriers (e.g. around loading areas) ● Put barriers over moving parts and gears Wear PPE ● Hard hat to protect you from falling objects ● Goggles to protect eyes from sparks and debris ● Mask to protect your lungs from respiratory hazards ● Earplugs to protect yourself from occupational noise ● Gloves to protect hands from released energy (heat, fire, cold) ● Vest to enhance your visibility ● Shoes to protect you from injuries resulting from punctures, crushing, sprains, slips, trips and falls

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Construction Site Safety Concepts

Eyes on Path Watch where you are going.

Identify causes of slips, trips and falls ● Distractions (conversations, cell phones) ● Uneven, slippery, collapsing surfaces ● Tripping hazards (cords, cables, clutter, tools) ● Holes and openings ● Spills and debris How to avoid slips, trips, and falls ● Look where you go! ● Be aware of your surrounding! ● Put your cellphone away! ● Walk slowly – don’t run or rush! ● Wear appropriate footwear! ● Hands out of pocket when walking – to cushion a fall if needed.

Good Housekeeping ● Wipe up spills (oil, grease, water) ● Clear walkways from clutter ● Elevate cords and cables above head level ● Remove / flatten nails Control the hazard ● If you can’t remove the hazard, notify your supervisor ● Never leave a hazard unattended! ● If you see it, you own it! ● Stop work if you feel unsafe!

Common Risk Areas1 Holes and Openings ● Cover holes or put up a guard railing around them ● Add toeboards to prevent tools from falling into them Stairs ● Use handrail ● Ensure sufficient lighting 1

Safety Skills - Work Smarter. https://safetyskills.com/slips-trips-and-falls-in-the-construction-industry/

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Construction Site Safety Concepts Clear clutter from staircases ● Wipe moisture and remove debris ●

Ladders ● Inspect ladder for defects before use ● Make sure ladder is stable and on level floor ● Don’t exceed loading rate ● Don’t use electrical equipment around metal ladders ● Maintain three (3) point contact Elevated work area ● Falls from 2 meters and above can cause serious injury ● Fall protection equipment shall be used when working at a height of 2 meters and above ● For work height of 10 meters, workers are required to use fall-arrest equipment (harness, lifeline, clip) Scaffolds (OSHS p. 332, 2013 amended rule 1414) ● Bamboo/timber scaffolds are limited to a height of 6 meters from the ground ● Above 6 meters height, steel scaffolds shall be used ● Fall protection equipment shall be used when working at a height of 2 meters and above ● For work height of 10 meters, workers are required to use fall-arrest equipment (harness, lifeline, clip) ● Personal fall-arrest systems used on scaffolds are to be attached by lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or any rigid structural member ● Inspection and approval of scaffolds by a trained and certified scaffold erector

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Construction Site Safety Concepts The information have been obtained from the following sources: ●

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Sysnovate Management and Lean-Agile Consultants: Implementing Lean 5S for Construction Projects – Keep it Simple and Practical, http://www.sysnovate.com.my/implementing-lean-5s-for-construction-projectskeep-it-simple-and-practical/ Garco Building Excellence: Toolbox Talk: Benefits of Housekeeping, https://www.garco.com/toolbox-talk-benefits-of-housekeeping/ HASpod: 10 Good Housekeeping Rules for a Tidy Construction Site, https://www.haspod.com/blog/construction/good-housekeeping-rulesconstruction-site United Rentals: What is 5S and How Can it Make Construction Safer?, https://www.unitedrentals.com/project-uptime/safety/video-what-5s-and-howcan-it-make-construction-safer#/ Lean Homebuilding: The 5S System on the Construction Job Site, https://leanhomebuilding.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/the-5s-system-on-theconstruction-job-site/ SafetySkills Work Smarter: Slips, trips, and falls safety training in the construction industry, https://safetyskills.com/slips-trips-and-falls-in-theconstruction-industry/ Safety Talk Ideas: Line of Fire Hazards, https://www.safetytalkideas.com/safetytalks/line-fire-hazards/ Industrial Safety and Hygiene News: Studying the cases of slips, trips and falls, https://www.ishn.com/articles/83435-studying-the-causes-of-slips-trips-and-falls Images: Designed by Freepik

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