Construction Safety Management

MEANING OF SAFETY

The meaning of safety is ‘Freedom from unacceptable risks’ or ‘Freedom from danger’. Safety in all construction activities is a prime requisite, but is often neglected, ignored on work sites. With the enormous growth of construction industry and the advancement of ‘Construction Technology’ the need for proper attention to Safety aspects has become essential for human, social, economic and other considerations.

The complex techniques with wide range of construction and other activities have lead to new challenges in Safety.

SAFETY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Assignment of responsibility Hazard identification and control Training and communication Documentation and enforcement of safety rules

SAFETY PROGRAM

Maintenance of safe working conditions Setting performance goals Rewarding safety performance Reviewing circumstances involved in incidents Taking appropriate corrective actions

Establishing Safety performance objectives for all levels of management

Including safety as part of management performance reviews

Measuring effectiveness

SAFETY PROGRAM

BENEFITS OF A SAFETY PROGRAM

Reduced expenses related to injuries and illnesses Reduced absenteeism Lower employee complaints Reduced workers’ compensation claims

BENEFITS (CONTINUED)

Improved employee morale and satisfaction Increased productivity Reduction of hidden cost Reduced insurance cost

HIDDEN COST

Workers Compensation Cost

Replacement and training cost for new or substitute employee

Poor Quality

Penalties for non-compliance

PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENTS

IS STANDARDS ON SAFETY

IS 875 : 1987 Part 1 Code of practice for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures dead loads – unit weights of building material and stored materials (incorporating IS 1911 : 1967)

IS 1905 : 1987 Code of practice for structural use of unreinforced masonry

IS 2750 : 1964 Specification for steel scaffoldings

IS 3696 : 1991 Part 2

Scaffolds and Ladders – Code of Safety – Ladders

IS 3764 : 1992 Code of safety for excavation work

IS 4014 : 1967 Part 2

Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding – safety regulations for scaffolding

IS 4081 : 1986 Safety code for blasting and related drilling operations

IS 4082 : 1996 Recommendations on stacking and storage of construction materials and components at site.

IS 4130 : 1991 Safety code for demolition of buildings

IS 4138 : 1977 Safety code for working in compressed air

IS 4756 : 1978 Safety code for tunneling work

IS 4912 : 1978 Safety requirements for floor and wall openings, railings and toe boards

IS 5121 : 1969 Safety code for piling and other deep foundations

IS 5916 : 1970 Safety code for construction involving use of hot bituminous materials

IS 6609 : 1972 Part 5

Methods of test for commercial blasting explosives and accessories : Part V Safety fuses

IS 6922 : 1973 Criteria for safety and design of structures subject to underground blasts

IS 7205 : 1974 Safety code for erection of structural steel work

IS 7293 : 1974 Safety code for working with construction machinery

IS 7323 : 1994 Operation of reservoirs – Guidelines

IS 7969 : 1975 Safety code for handling and storage of building materials.

IS 8989 : 1978 Safety code for erection of concrete framed structures

IS 9706 : 1997 Aerial ropeways for transport of material – code of practice for design and construction

IS 9759 : 1981 Guidelines for de-watering during construction.

IS 9944 : 1992 Natural and man made fibre rope slings – Recommendations on safe working loads

IS 10291 : 1982 Safety code for dress divers in civil engineering works

IS 10386 : 1992 Part 4

Construction, operation and maintenance of river valley projects – safety code –Part 4: Handling, storage and transportation of explosives

IS 10386 : 1993 Part 7

Safety code for Construction, operation and maintenance of river valley projects – Fire safety aspects

IS 10386 : 1983 Part 10

Safety code for Construction, operation and maintenance of river valley projects – Storage, handling, detection and safety measures for gases, chemicals and flammable liquids

IS 11972 : 1987 Code of practice for safety precautions to be taken when entering a sewerage system

IS 13063 : 1991 Code of practice for structural safety of buildings on shallow foundations on rocks

IS 13415 : 1992 Protective barriers in and around buildings – Code of safety

IS 13416 : 1992 Part 1

Recommendations for preventive measures against hazards at work places – Falling material hazards prevention

IS 13430 : 1992 Code of practice for safety during additional construction and alteration to existing buildings

IS 14734 : 1999 Balancing machines – enclosures and other safety measures

SP 70 : 2001 Hand book on construction safety practices

PLANNING A PROJECT

Develop goals and objectives Define project teamProject managerSite Supervisor Site Safety Other Programs

POOR SAFETY PRACTICES

GOOD SAFETY PRACTICES

IMPLEMENTING THE WORK PLAN

Essential in reducing injuries and illnesses Maintains a safe environment Designed to protect employees, company’s

facilities, and local community

WORK PLAN (CONTINUED)

Pre-entry briefing to alert personnel of hazardsConduct Job Hazard Analysis as appropriatePeriodic safety inspectionCorrect known deficienciesMust be available for review and updated as

required

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Company Policies & Safety Procedures Roles & Responsibilities Site Description, Background Site Security Emergency Response

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES

• Clear safety instructions and procedures are the basis for functioning of all at site.

These safety instructions and procedures are the minimum safety requirements to be followed by all always at site.

• Every employee, contractor and visitor is responsible for fulfilling all safety instructions and procedures.

• Report unsafe conditions, situations and handlings to the Project Manager.• Safety instructions from Management, Safety team and site conditions, generated are to be followed.

• First Aid, Fire section, concerning Safety and Health care are to be followed always.

IDENTIFYING PROJECT-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Job Hazard AnalysisSelect activities with highest riskBreak activity into individual components Identify potential hazards in each componentDevelop procedures to eliminate/reduce hazard

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Manager

• Responsible for the overall management of safety, safety planning and organization on this site.

• The Project Manager is the team leader and should be the role model for all staff and employees to

follow.

• Prepare and instigate safety policy and procedures on site, delegate responsibilities to other

competent persons, then check these roles and responsibilities are fulfilled.

• Fix the roles and responsibilities in writing and ensure they are fulfilled for each staff member so

as each person is aware of and complying with his role.

• Attend all safety meetings.

• Review Safety Plans and Workplace Risk Assessments prepared by the contractors prior to that

trade being given commitment and starting on site.

• Review preliminary design and drawings for potential safety risks and advise the Consultants of

these and remedies for same.

• Carry out informal and formal safety inspections when on site and report findings to the

Contractor for rectification.

• Set a personal example of implementing the Project Safety Policy.

• Educate contractors to be fully conversant with all CB Richard Ellis safety requirements and

incorporation of safe work practices in their operations.

• Ensure contractor Safety Plans are implemented and modified as necessary on site

Safety Manager‐At Design Phase:

• Co‐ordination of general aspects with respect to Safety, Health and Welfare.

• Taking care of EHS plan setup in “Draft”. Putting together Safety Health &Environment files.

• Handover EHS plan in draft and filed to the client for the construction phase.

Safety Manager—At Construction Phase:

• Organizing, coordinating and Co‐operation between contractors.

• Co‐coordinating Safety, Health, Welfare measures by the contractors.

• Co‐coordinating Supervision; to meet the joint facilities

Consultants

• To be briefed and educated by the Project team on their responsibilities with regards to‘designing in safety’.

• To be educated and shown safety problems with their design on site so as not to make thesame mistakes again.

• To nominate, areas requiring special procedures or practices to reduce accident potential.• To be briefed by the site team on the proposed construction methods and be subsequentlyupdated.

• To take a pro‐active role in safety as part of the ‘Project Team’.

Contractors and Their Employees

• Safety representative from each company to be nominated to attend safety meetings on a weekly basis. The days of the meeting will be nominated by president/Management.

• The nominated person for the company will be responsible for all details and safety issues of the meeting and to be related back to fellow workers.

• Any chemicals, plant and equipment that are to be used on site the contractor must supply Material Safety Data Sheet ( MSDS) and the Manager or Principal of the contractor is to ensure his men who are using the chemical have been trained with the correct handling procedure for the use of this chemical.

• The Manager or Principal of the contractor is to provide evidence that the men he hasemployed have had adequate training to be able to work safely with the duties that will beperformed on site.

• Any lost time injuries the contractor is to notify President/Management and provide all necessary details.

• Contractors to supply risk analysis sheets and safety plan for review before work commenceson site for critical activities identified.

• Contractor to inform President/Management of any known hazards that may occur during their scopeof works.

ROLE OF SITE MANAGER

ACTION STEPS FOR JOB-SITE MANAGERJob safety management can be divided into five major areas:

(1) setting priorities on the job,

(2) planning for safe construction,

(3) orienting workers,

(4) maintaining the communications safety net, and

(5) people building.

PRIORITIES:

1.COMMIT YOURSELF TO THE COMBINED GOAL OF HIGH SAFETY AND HIGH PRODUCTIVITY.

2.INCLUDE MONEY FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY PERSONNEL INTO THE PROJECT BUDGET.

3.BEGIN COMMUNICATING YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY GOAL TO OWNERS, SUBCONTRACTORS, AND UNION REPRESENTATIVES IN PRE JOB MEETINGS.

4.MAKE SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS AN INTEGRATED PART OF JOB RULES.

5.IN NEW-WORKER ORIENTATION INCLUDE JOB RULES, MAKE IT CLEAR THAT INFRACTIONS OF THEM ARE CAUSE FOR TERMINATION.

6.TRAIN YOUR SUPERINTENDENTS AND FOREMEN TO REVIEW JOB EXPOSURES AS WORK PROGRESSES AND REVISE JOB PROCEDURES TO KEEP WORK SAFE.

7.USE TOOLBOX MEETINGS AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING TO MAINTAIN SAFE, PRODUCTIVE JOB PROCEDURES.

8.SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING THE JOB SAFE BY:

A)WALKING THE JOB WITH SAFETY EYES.

B)MONITORING THE JOB FOR HOUSEKEEPING, OSHA REQUIREMENTS, AND OTHER UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND ACTS.

C)WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH JOB SAFETY PEOPLE AND LETTING PROJECT PERSONNEL KNOW THAT THE SAFETY PEOPLE REPRESENT YOU.

D)ENFORCING STANDARDS FOR SAFE BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES.E)MONITORING SUBCONTRACTORS.

PLANNING:

1. TAKE THE TIME TO PLAN; IT WILL REDUCE COSTS, IMPROVE THE JOB SCHEDULE, AND BENEFIT SAFETY BY DECREASING HAZARDS AND JOB PRESSURES.

2. BEFORE THE JOB STARTS:

A) REVIEW COST ESTIMATES AND SCHEDULES AND, IF NECESSARY, NEGOTIATE REVISIONS TO AVOID STRESS AND THE TEMPTATION TO TAKE HAZARDOUS SHORTCUTS LATER.

B) WORK WITH THE SAFETY PEOPLE TO DEVELOP A SAFETY PLAN FOR THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT.

C)GAIN COOPERATION AND INPUT FROM KEY PEOPLE IN PREJOB DISCUSSIONS: ON UNION JOBS, FROM UNION REPRESENTATIVES; ON HIGHLY HAZARDOUS JOBS, FROM REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSULTATION SERVICE OF THE OSHA PROGRAM.

3. MAINTAIN THREE LEVELS OF PLANNING THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT: LARGE SCALE, WEEKLY, AND DAILY AND INCLUDE SAFETY IN ALL LEVELS OF PLANNING.

4.DISCUSS SAFETY IN DAILY PLANNING MEETINGS AND WEEKLY JOB SCHEDULE AND PROGRESS MEETINGS.

5.REMEMBER THAT LAST MINUTE CHANGES OF PLANS ARE OFTEN DANGEROUS - CAUTION SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS AGAINST THEM.

WORKER ORIENTATION:

1.TO AVOID ACCIDENTS, REQUIRE JOB AND PROJECT ORIENTATION FOR ALL NEW HIRES NO MATTER HOW LONG IS THEIR EXPERIENCE AND HOW SHORT THEIR STAY ON THE PROJECT WILL BE.

2.WELCOME EACH NEW WORKER FOR PROJECT ORIENTATION CONSIDER A SHORT SLIDE-TAPE OR VIDEO PRESENTATION INTRODUCED BY A JOB-SITE MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE.

4.FOR JOB-SITE ORIENTATION INCLUDE A SHORT SITE TOUR; ON LARGE PROJECTS DEVELOP A SITE MAP THAT SHOWS THE OVERALL LAYOUT OF THE PROJECT WITH A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT STAGES.

5.DELEGATE DETAILED ORIENTATION TO THE WORKER'S FOREMAN, MAKING SURE THAT FOREMEN ARE TRAINED TO CONDUCT EFFECTIVE NEW-WORKER ORIENTATION.

6.ON PROJECTS OR PARTS OF PROJECTS WITH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS REQUIRE ORIENTATION BEFORE EACH NEW PHASE OF THE WORK.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

1. EXPAND YOUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BEYOND THE CHAIN OF COMMAND TO INCLUDE DIRECT CONTACT WITH WORKERS

AND GROUP MEETINGS. TRAIN YOUR MANAGEMENT TEAM TO EXPECT YOU TO USE = THESE OTHER METHODS FOR INFORMATION.

2. WALK THE JOB EACH DAY, TALK TO CRAFT WORKERS, BRING YOUR SAFETY COMMITMENT TO THEM, HEAR THEIR SUGGESTIONS.

3.MEET WITH SUPERVISORY GROUPS ON A REGULAR BASIS; MEET WITH GROUPS OF FOREMEN AND CRAFT WORKERS FOR PLANNING AND FEEDBACK.

4.DEVELOP TOOLBOX MEETINGS AS A VALUABLE INFORMATION AND TRAINING TOOL, ATTEND MEETINGS YOURSELF ON A ROTATING BASIS, AND TRAIN FOREMEN TO KEEP TO JOB SPECIFIC TOPICS.

5.ON HOME OFFICE COMMUNICATION - KEEP THEM INFORMED DAILY; DO NOT PASS ON TO YOUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM AND WORKERS PRESSURES FROM THE HOME OFFICE.

PEOPLE BUILDING:

1.BEFORE EVERY ACTION AND DECISION OF YOURS, ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTION, "HOW WILL THIS AFFECT MY WORK FORCE?" YOUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE IS YOUR PEOPLE. MANAGE NOW TO ACHIEVE THEIR LONG-RUN COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY.

2.LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES IN CONFLICTS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THOSE BETWEEN FOREMEN AND WORKERS, RATHER THAN AUTOMATICALLY BACKING THE SUPERVISOR.

3.DEVELOP OTHER OPTIONS THAN FIRING - FIRING IS USUALLY A POOR WAY TO HANDLE A PROBLEM; DO NOT DELEGATE THAT POWER TO SUBORDINATES.

4.THANK SUPERVISORS AND CRAFT WORKERS WHEN THEY DO EXCELLENT WORK.

COMMUNICATION:

Kick‐off Meeting:

• The kick‐off meeting should be seen as a start meeting, preliminary to the general or project oriented activities. Prior to starting of project activities a meeting with all consultants, contractors will be organized in order to make all concerned aware of the EHS rules & procedures to be adopted by team during the construction of project.

The Project Manager who is In charge of the project will chair the meeting and the following take part in the meeting.

1) Regional Manger‐EHS/Project EHS‐Coordinator2) Site In charges of all Contractors/Sub‐contractors3) Consultants4) EHS coordinators of Contractors/Sub‐contractorsIn the meeting the EHS plan meant for the project will be disclosed and discussed for effective implementation.

The client’s representative may also present in the meeting wherever possible .The points discussed should be recorded and minutes will be distributed to all concerned.

• In the kick‐off meeting beside technical relevant information pay attention to the aspects ofHealth, Safety and Environment in general

Safety Meeting:

Specific appointment e.g. Action points as result of consultation between safety technicalities related to the project is discussed.

Weekly meeting shall be conducted by contractors for the entire work force with specific agenda under observation from the Project Managers safety team.

Pre‐Job Meeting :

The Pre‐Job Meeting is meant for consultation before activities start.

At this meeting the “pre‐job checklist” shall be handed over and worked out with all persons involved.

This is to be conducted at once in week by respective EHS coordinators of contractors/Subcontractors.

These are meant for developing safety awareness and to remind the various safety measures and rules to be followed by the working group.

Ensure active participation, interaction of workmen and encourage them to share their similar experiences of other sites

Tool Box Meeting:

A toolbox meeting is a medium to inform executing employees.

The meetings will be organized by Contractors/Sub‐contractors at their respective work locations daily .

The meeting would be held with the concerned staff /workmen involved in the specific job.

In the meeting the safety measures and the procedures to be adopted would be conveyed to all concerned after discussing/assessing associated risks prevailed in the work activity.

The meeting would be held on need basis and conducted by Site Engineer/Foremen/EHS coordinator as and when changes of procedure/machinery and for new teams.

The records of Tool Boxes are to be maintained and a copy of the same is to be sent to Project- EHS coordinator

Progress Meeting:

•The progress meeting is meant for the daily / weekly consultation between the client and the main contractor.

• EHS part in this meeting, should be a fixed item on the agenda and following discussed.

• Measures as a result of finding from risk analysis, which are related to interaction between different disciplines.

• Findings as a result of inspection observation on incident.

• Explanation on procedures, instruction and special measures.

SAFETY COMMITTEE

Site Safety Committees:-

(1) Every establishment wherein five hundred or more building workers are ordinarily employed, there shall be a Safety Committee constituted by the employer which shall be represented by equal number of representatives of employer and building workers employed in such establishment. In no case the number of representatives of the employer shall exceed the representatives of building workers.

(2) The Committee shall be represented by representatives of the recognized unions wherever such unions wherever such unions exist.

As prescribed by the Building construction act, 1996

The main functions of the Safety Committee shall be-

(a) To identify probable causes of accident and unsafe practices in building or other construction work and to suggest remedial measures;

(b) To stimulate interest of employer and building workers in safety by organizing safety weeks, safety competition, talks and film shows on safety, preparing posters or taking similar other measures as and when required or as necessary;

(c) To go round the construction site with a view to check unsafe practices and detect unsafe conditions and to recommend remedial measures for their rectification including First Aid Medical and Welfare Facilities;

(d) To look into the health hazards associated with handling different types of explosive, chemicals and other construction material and to suggest remedial measures including use of proper personal protective equipment;

(e) To suggest measures for improving welfare amenities in the construction site and other miscellaneous aspects of safety, health and welfare in building or other construction work;

(f) To bring to the notice of the employer the hazards associated with use, handling and maintenance of the equipment used during the course of building and other construction work

The Safety Committee shall meet at regular intervals at least once in a month and it shall be chaired by the senior person having overall control over the affairs of the construction site.

The agenda and minutes of the meeting shall be circulated to all concerned and it shall be in the language understood by majority of the building workers and shall be produced to the Inspector on demand for inspection.

The decisions and recommendations of the Safety Committee shall be complied with by the employer within reasonable time limits.

Safety Officer:-

(1) In every establishment wherein five hundred or more building workers are ordinarily employed, the employer shall appoint Safety Officers as per the scale laid down in Schedule VIII annexed to these rules. Such safety officers may be assisted by suitable and adequate staff.

(2) Duties, qualifications and the conditions of service of safety officers appointed

under sub-rule (1) shall be as provided in Schedule VIII annexed to these rules.

(3) Wherever number of workers employed by single employer is less than five hundred, such employers may form a group and appoint a common Safety Officer for such group of employers with prior permission of Director General.

ORGANIZATION CHART FOR SAFETY:

Safety committee reports shall be submitted to Project Controller in every project meeting.

• A Project EHS committee will be constituted for the project to discuss, review and resolve all EHS matters of the project.

• The project Manger/In charge would be the Chairman of the committee and Project EHS coordinator would be Secretary of the committee.

• The Site In charges of contractors/Sub‐contractors and their safety coordinators would be the members of committee.

• The meeting would be held once in week/fortnight.

• In the meeting all EHS issues would be discussed and resolved for necessary measures. The performance and effectiveness of EH&S Plan would be reviewed for achieving desired level of performance.

• The minutes of meeting would be circulated to all concerned and to Regional EHS Manager/Coordinator.