CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY

Working with Tools, Machinery and Equipment

Work on a construction is dangerous, with a variety of different trades people working

simultaneously at any given time, coordination or tasks and construction site safety is crucial to

maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for workers.

One of the areas for concern on construction sites is working with tools and equipment. While

they may be indispensable on a construction site, equipment and tools can pose a huge threat

to the safety of workers if they are not utilised correctly. That is why proper training is necessary

and well as adequate supervision for workers using dangerous equipment.

All tools, machinery and equipment must be checked before use and regularly maintained. If

tools are kept in good working order they pose less of a threat to workers as they would if they

were to malfunction.

When working with Hand tools workers should remember a few basic tips:

Always use the correct tool for the task you are undertaking. Never improvise to save time and

never substitute one tool for another for the sake of convenience. The correct tool for the job

should always be used.

When working with hand tools the opportunity for dust and particles to get into the eyes is great,

especially in windy weather so workers should always use eye protection for these tasks.

The tool may have a tendency of slipping when in use, especially power tools, so the use of a

lanyard or wrist strap can assist in securing the tool from slipping, this is particularly beneficial if

there are people working below you.

When working with Electrical equipment:

The most important rule for working with electrical equipment is to ensure it is in proper working

order because defective or carelessly used electrical gear can kill.

All electrical equipment should be tested and tagged so that all workers involved with its use

know if it’s working or not. Make sure the leads, plugs, connectors, guards and other parts are

not damaged. Overloading of adaptors and plugs is a common source of short circuiting and

electrocution, so avoid this.

Use tools with insulated handgrips to avoid electrocution, non-conductive footwear can also

assist in this regard. Also work away from power lines and cables as much as possible.

Working with other equipment:

Other equipment such as cranes and mechanical equipment are equally dangerous if not

properly utilised. The potential for injury is present for operators of this equipment as well as the

other workers and bystanders on the construction site. Because cranes and mechanical lifting

gear are used to handle excessively heavy loads, there is always potential for injury. An

assessment of risks involved should be carried out before work begins with any of this

machinery or equipment. Things that should be considered are: the equipment, its location,

setting up and intended use. Only once it has been determined that it will not cause injury or

harm to workers should the exercise be undertaken.

It is important to consider the following before beginning work:

The equipment should be adequate for the job, (For example, you need to know the weight and

mass of the load to be lifted if you are operating a crane and the capacity of the equipment to lift

such a load)

Workers should be trained and certified if necessary in the operation of the equipment they are

using. In addition to site specific and white card training, crane operators should have the

appropriate licence. This applies to doggers and riggers as well as vehicle drivers.

Use barricades and signs to warn workers of the activities that are taking place in particular

areas so they are aware of the dangers and can remain cautious. This will also show them

which areas to stay away from.

Operators should stay away from hazards such as walkways, power lines, trenches, pits,

unstable surfaces, steep gradients, projecting objects and other vehicles and remain alert to

people in the vicinity.

Common sense can help workers on construction sites remain safe. Wear appropriate visible

clothing and PPE, remain clear of moving plant, machinery or vehicles, steer clear of areas

barricaded or cordoned off.

By remaining vigilant and alert and remembering your training work on a construction site need

not be dangerous.

To get your White Card online go to www.whitecardaustralia.com.au

WHITE CARD: ROADSIDE CONSTRUCTION

WORKERS AT RISK

Road construction has once again come under the spotlight as a driver has crashed into a

worker on a highway construction site. The driver was in the wrong, and having driven on the

wrong side of the road collided with the construction worker who luckily was not injured.

Adelaidenow.com.au reported on the issue:

A MAN has been arrested after hitting a construction worker at the South Rd superway

construction site on Sunday.

The Findon man, 47, allegedly disobeyed directions and drove on the wrong side of the

road before having a minor collision with the worker about 10.45am on June 24.

He was charged with dangerous driving and possessing an offensive weapon after a

police search uncovered a knife.

His car was impounded for 28 days and he will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates

Court at a later date.

The road worker was not injured.

Source:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/construction-work-hit-on-south-rd-

superway-police-allege/story-e6frea83-1226407710586?from=public_rss

This incident comes after workers earlier this month pleaded for the public to be mindful of road

construction workers and drive safely in their vicinity.

According to statistics from The Bureau of Labour Statistics in the United States approximately

100 construction workers are killed in roadway work zones every year in North America.

Experts all agree that the main cause of death and injury in highway construction areas are

speeding vehicles.

While sped might be the biggest killer, other threats are inadequate sign posting and lighting,

drivers failing to notice road workers, drivers failing to obey the stop and slow signs, drivers

talking on cellular phone

Signage is important on roadway construction sites and drivers need to obey them. Those

undertaking the construction must ensure these signs are adequately visible, clean and well

maintained. Workers should also be wearing the appropriate visible PPE.

Traffic controllers must be trained to direct traffic. They should be aware of where to stand, how

to slow or stop traffic, and how to coordinate public and construction traffic movements. Where

visual contact with other controllers is not possible, two-way radios should be used by

controllers to communicate with each other. Controllers should be provided with temporary

traffic signals to control traffic where the site is suitable and where such signals are available.

Because speed is the biggest killer, speed limits should be paid particular attention and speed

limits must be vigorously enforced.

Another major element in road side disasters is erratic behaviour caused by driver’s frustration

due to slow speed and long queues they often have to endure during construction. Construction

workers should try to eliminate driver frustration as much as possible.

The main issues that require attention are:

Advanced warning for motorists.

Sufficient and suitable signage.

High visibility clothing for workers.

Pathways for road users and workzone delineation.

Work zone separation from passing traffic.

1. Advance warning for motorists should be in the form of signs along the road way prior to the

construction site. Drivers should be warned of impending construction works ahead and

allowed to start reducing their speed.

2. Sufficient and suitable signage should warn motorists of road works ahead. Signage should

be visible and kept clean. One sign isn’t sufficient as drivers may miss it, there should be a

sufficient amount of signs erected.

3. Workers should wear high visibility clothing. When working late or during dark hours clothing

should illuminated and clearly visible to passing vehicles.

4. Pathways for road users should be wide enough for them and should not make them wait for

unreasonable amounts of time. Also workzones should be distributed along the highway,

instead of concentrated in one section, this will cause the traffic to back up on the entire

roadway.

5. Workzones should be clearly barricaded and separated from passing traffic. Safety barriers

should be in good condition, and be certified as meeting the test level (TL) needed for

the installation and have the required clearance behind it so that if an out-of-control vehicle

did strike the barrier at the design speed and cause it to move the site personnel would not

be struck.

Road authorities can alert drivers in advance of proposed work on highways so drivers can

make the necessary arrangements to overcome this. This could include advertising on

television, radio or the internet so that drivers can take alternate route or leave earlier etc.

To get your White Card online go to www.whitecardaustralia.com.au

Prevention of Falls in Construction

According to government statistics falling has proven to be the leading cause of death on a

construction site. It has been noted that between 1995 and 1999 alone, 362 falls occurred on a

construction site and with the increase in production and construction of late that number has

increased.

Typically falls on construction sites can result from using unsafe or incomplete scaffolds,

inappropriate ladders/ladder use, falling from or through roofs, falls from trucks, falls into holes,

pits or shafts, accessing shelving, accessing mezzanine areas. Falls from heights are an

extremely prevalent and dangerous threat to construction workers and so needs to be managed

accordingly.

Even falls from relatively low height have the ability to cause very serious injuries, including

fractures, spinal cord injury, concussions and brain damage. Management of the risks can

significantly reduce the number of deaths caused by falling.

By following the steps below the hazards can be addressed and removed before causing harm

to workers.

Step 1 – Allocate responsibility to Workers in Managing Fall Prevention

For each job it needs to be decided who has specific responsibilities for particular tasks so a

safe work environment can be maintained at all times. Responsibilities that can be distributed

include ensuring adequate fall prevention is in place, equipment is used correctly, safety

measures are maintained and workers are given adequate instruction and training. Employers

have the main responsibility for ensuring that work environment is safe and free from fall

threats.

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of equipment must ensure that they equipment they

provide is designed, constructed and tested so it’s safe to use when used for the purpose it was

designed, manufactured or supplied. They should also provide adequate information about how

to use the equipment correctly.

Employees have the responsibility of following the instruction and training they are given, so as

to not endanger their own life or the lives of co-workers. This includes where workers are

working alone or are supervising staff such as apprentices.

STEP 2 – Identify Hazards

One of the highly risky practices on a construction site is working on a roof.

To comply with the OHS Prevention of Falls Regulations 2003, employers must identify all tasks

that involve the possibility of someone falling more than two metres. These tasks may include

construction, demolition, repairs or maintenance, on plant or structure, work on fragile or

unstable surfaces, work on sloping or slippery surfaces, work near an edge, hole, pit or shaft.

STEP 3 – Assess Risks and Risky Situations

Things that should be considered when assessing the risks include the nature, size and layout

of the workplace, The duration, extent and type of work to be done, height at which workers will

be required to access or undertake work, training and experience of employees undertaking the

work, how to get to the work area, the number and movement of people and plant on the work

site and conditions of work. Some aspects to consider include is it windy or slippery? Is there

poor lighting, sloping surfaces or other hazards above or below work area such as power lines,

impaling hazards or trees?

According to the law if it is not possible to eliminate the risk, precautions must be taken to

manage the risk and reduce the likelihood of someone falling and being injured.

Working on the ground is the most effective method of protecting workers from fall hazards. This

is not always possible, so the hazard has to be managed.

Use temporary work platforms such as properly erected scaffolds or elevated work platforms.

Isolation of the hazard using physical barriers can protect workers from falls or engineering

controls can be implemented. Use “work positioning” systems that will position and safely

support a worker at the location where the task is to be performed.

Administrative controls should be implemented if engineering controls are not practical. These

controls require a high level of training and supervision to be effective and are often supported

with other fall protection measures. Eg Use of warning signs to warn workers of falling hazard.

Construction workers need to use personal protective equipment to minimise injury in the event

of a fall or any other hazard protection on a construction site. Workers shouldn’t just be given

PPE, but must be trained on its correct use so that workers can get the full benefit of the PPE.

This in conjunction with other measures mentioned above, when combined can contribute to a

safer and healthier work environment.

To get your White Card online go to www.whitecardaustralia.com.au

White Card Warning:

Operating Cranes and Plant near Overhead

Electric Lines

The risk of electrocution is a frightening thought that no worker wants to encounter. Contact with

overhead powerlines can pose a serious risk of electrocution when operating a crane or other

plant because of the difficulty they experience judging the distance between the crane and the

powerlines overhead.

Workers on a construction site, whether working with plant and machinery or not will encounter

this equipment at some time or the other due to their prevalence on site. It is difficult to imagine

a construction without plant or machinery, especially commercial sites. Therefore it is important

for uncertified persons who have not been trained in crane operation to be aware of safety

procedures for plant and machinery. These plant and machinery include cranes, concrete

booms, elevating work platforms, earthmoving equipment etc.

In order to manage the risk involved with operation of plant and machinery, first these risks need

to be identified. An inspection to identify the risk involved with setting up cranes or other

equipment in the vicinity of power lines should be carried out. The crane or machinery operator

should be included in the risk identification process together with the employer.

When working with power lines overhead, authorities suggest you treat all electric power lines

as live and either have them de-energised or create an exclusion zone around them and keep

workers out. De-energising power lines should only be done once arrangements have been

made with electricity authorities during the planning stages.

Once the risks have been identified, the employer should conduct a written assessment of the

risk and it’s potential for harm.

In assessing the risk the employer or self-employed person should consider the following:

The minimum clearance distance between the crane/machinery and the power line

The characteristics of the load being transported in the case of cranes, including

dimensions of the load and whether the load is conductive. Similarly to electric lines,

loads should also be assumed to be conductive until proof that it is not has been

provided by a person qualified to do so.

Also consider whether the load is above the electric line. If it is there is a possibility of it

falling onto the lines.

Also consider unexpected movement of the terrain, ground or surface upon which the

crane or plant is located, possibly resulting in a corresponding surge or sudden

movement towards live electric lines.

Consider the weather, prevailing or unexpected wind strength and direction.

What are the chances of swaying or sagging of over lines. This can be caused by

weather or varying temperatures.

Whether the functional behaviour of the crane, load or plant may result in contact with

electric lines overhead.

What is the likelihood of crane or plant or machinery becoming live through contact with

energized line.

How the load being carried by a crane is secured and if a part of the load may come into

contact with the electric line.

The next step in the process would be to develop strategies to either eliminate the hazard or

minimise its risk. With all workplace risks, elimination is always the preferred method of dealing

with risks.

Eliminating the risk

There are a variety of methods that can be undertaken, such as de-energising lines, rerouting

electric lines or replacing existing overhead lines with underground lines.

Often, elimination is not possible, so replacing the risk with one less risky would be the next

alternative.

Isolating the Risk

The next step in the process would be the isolation of the hazard. Some examples of this may

be to erect a physical barrier to prevent any part of the machine or the load being moved from

encroaching on the exclusion zone and injuring someone outside of the zone. A non-conductive

physical barrier should be erected and be capable of withstanding an impact from falling

objects, loose materials or other plant or machinery.

Alternatively re-designing equipment or the work process should be undertaken. This may

involve using limiting devices to limit the movement of the machinery so that it does not

accidentally injure a worker nearby. Where the limiting device prevents movement, sudden

stopping or the momentum of the load should be considered.

The introduction of administrative measures is the next measure that should be considered and

can include using a safety observer to watch and warn workers and machinery operators of

dangers while the machinery is in movement.

It does not need to be said again because all workers should be wearing the appropriate

personal protective equipment (PPE). Using insulated gloves may be one such method, as it will

prevent electrocution when the worker comes into contact with a conducting part of the crane,

plant or

Implement Risk Treatment Measures

When implementing risk treatment measures need to be developed when elimination is not

possible. Monitoring and reviewing the risk treatment measures developed should be conducted

regularly and whenever the work site changes. Modification of the measure or its

implementation should then be carried out.

By considering these measures it is possible to reduce the number of workers that are

electrocuted on construction sites each year.

To get your White Card online go to www.whitecardaustralia.com.au