LEC 07 – Construction Manpower Safety

CONSTRUCTION MANPOWER SAFETY

MACHINERY AND STRUCTURES

Construction Site Premises

General provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards: Protection to every working man against
the dangers of injury, sickness or death through safe and healthful working conditions, thereby assuring the
conversation of valuable manpower resources and the prevention of loss or damage to lives and properties.

Signs of Poor Housekeeping:

1. Cluttered and poorly arranged areas.
2. Untidy or dangerous storage of materials.
3. Presence of items no longer needed or in excess.
4. Dusty, dirty floors and work surfaces.
5. Tools and equipment left in work areas.
6. No waste bins and containers.
7. Presence of spills and leaks.

Construction Safety Signage must be provided to warn the workers and the public of hazards existing in the
workplace. Signage shall be posted in prominent positions at strategic locations and as far as practicable, be in
the language understandable to most of the workers employed.

The signage should include but not limited to:

1. Mandatory requirement in the use of personal protective equipment prior to entry to the project site.
2. Areas where there are potential risks of falling objects.
3. Areas where there are potential risks of falling.
4. Areas where explosives and flammable substances are used and stored.
5. Areas where there are tripping or slipping hazards.
6. Approaches to working areas where danger from toxic or irritant airborne contaminants/substances may
exist which should indicate the name of the contaminants/substances involved and the type of
respiratory equipment to be worn.
7. All places where contact with or proximity to electrical/facility equipment can cause damage.
8. All places where workers may come into contact with dangerous moving parts or machineries or
equipment.
9. Location of fire alarms and firefighting equipment.
10. Instruction on the usage of specific construction equipment.
11. Periodic updating or man-hours lost.

Types of Electrical Accidents

1. Electric Shock – occurs when extremity such as finger, hand, or arm is placed across an electric current.
Severe electric shock causes respiratory or heart failure.
2. Electrical Burn – occurs when severe electric shock causes tissue to burn. It can be external and internal.
3. Electrical Fires – occur when electric current ignites flammable materials. Electrical fires are extremely
dangerous because putting them out with water may expose a person to higher risk of electric shock.
4. Electrical Arc Flash/Blast – the sudden release of electrical energy through the air when a high voltage
gap exists and there is a breakdown between conductors.
5. Electrical Explosion – an explosion can occur when electricity ignites an explosive mixture of material
in the air.

Some common causes of industrial fires workers should be aware of are:

1|Page
CE 513:
CONSTRUCTION METHODS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
LECTURE
LEC 07 – Construction Manpower Safety
1. Electrical Fire Hazards
2. Flammable Liquids
3. Compressed Gasses
4. Hot Work
5. Smoking
6. Housekeeping Practices
7. Arson

EXCAVATION SAFETY

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA standards defines an
excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A
trench is defined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than its wide, and is no wider than 15 feet
(4.5 meters).

General Trenching and Excavation Rules

1. Prior to opening an excavation, check excavation permit if any.
2. All underground installations shall be located and protected from any damage or displacement.
3. Trees, boulders, or other surface encumbrances shall be removed before an excavation shall be started.
4. Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
5. Keep surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 m) from trench edges.
6. Know where underground utilities are located.
7. Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases.
8. Inspect at the start of each shift.
9. Inspect trenches following a rainstorm.
10. Do not work under raised loads.

HAND AND POWER TOOL SAFETY

Hand and Power Tools

1. Screwdrivers 8. Knives
2. Hammers 9. Crowbars
3. Punches 10. Shovels
4. Chisels 11. Box and Socket Wrenches
5. Hacksaws 12. Electric Saws
6. Files 13. Portable Grinder
7. Axes and Hatchets 14. Air Hoses

Basic tips on the use of hand tools

1. Always provide training on how to choose the right tool for the job, how to correctly use each tool, and
how to identify when tools need repair.
2. Select the right tool for the job. Substitutes increase the chance of having an accident.
3. Use tools designed to allow wrist to stay straight. Avoid using hand tools with your wrist bent.
4. Ensure that employees are properly trained in the safe use of hand tools.
5. Use good quality tools.
6. Keep tools in good conditions at all times.
7. Inspect tools for defects before use. Replace or repair defective tools.
8. Keep cutting tools sharp and cover sharp edges with suitable covering to protect the tool and to prevent
injuries from unintended contact.
9. Replace cracked, splintered, or broken handles on files, hammers, screwdrivers, or sledges.
10. Ensure that the handles of tools like hammers and axes fit tightly into the head of the tool.
11. Replace worn jaws on wrenches, pipe tools and pliers.
12. Redress burred or mushroomed heads of striking tools.
13. Pull on a wrench or pliers. Never push unless you hold the tool with your palm open.
2|Page
CE 513:
CONSTRUCTION METHODS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
LECTURE
LEC 07 – Construction Manpower Safety
14. Point sharp tools (e.g. saws, chisels, knives) laying on benches away from aisles and handles should not
extend over the edge of the bench top.
15. Maintain tools carefully. Keep them clean and dry, and store them properly after each use.
16. Carry tools in a sturdy box to and from the worksite.
17. Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) and well-fitting gloves
appropriate for the hazards to which you may be exposed when doing various tasks.
18. Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutter which may cause accidents.
19. Use a heavy belt or apron and hang tools at your side, not behind your back.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT

It refers to any machine with engine or electric motor as prime mover used either for lifting, excavating,
leveling drilling, compacting, transporting and breaking works in the construction site, such as but not limited to
crane, bulldozer, backhoe, grader, road compactor, prime mover and trailer, with minimum operating weight
and horsepower rating of 1,000 kg and 10HP, respectively, that are subject to test based on the requirements of
D.O. No. 13.

Top Four Injuries (resulted to fatalities)

1. Falls
2. Being struck by objects
3. Electrocutions
4. Being caught between objects

Measures to secure safety using construction machinery

1. Full understanding of machine conditions and maintenance
2. Safe operations
3. Safety management at work sites
4. Do not perform any work on a machine unless you are authorized and qualified to do so.
5. Read the manufacturer’s service and operator’s manuals.
6. Attach a DO NOT OPERATE tag or similar warning tag before performing maintenance.

Prepare the Work Area

1. Choose a clean level work area
2. Make certain there is adequate light and ventilation
3. Clean the walking and working surfaces

Prepare Yourself
1. Wear all the protective clothing the job requires.

Inspection and Testing

1. Third Party Inspection – accredited agency by DOLE/BWC, yearly or after modification, alteration,
repairs, transfer or re-install
2. Internal Inspection – before using on site, monthly

Fall Protection

Construction work is traditionally a hazardous occupation, wherein various work phases involved have its own
corresponding hazards.

Fall Protection Systems

1. Surface Protection Against Slipping and Tripping Hazards – oil spills, mud, scraps and other
construction debris must be eliminated at the workplace.
2. Edge Protection using Fixed Barriers – this may include guard rails, warning barriers and ladder cages.

3|Page
CE 513:
CONSTRUCTION METHODS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
LECTURE
LEC 07 – Construction Manpower Safety
3. Surface Opening Protection – surface openings and other walking surfaces where workers have access
must be protected by guard railing or secured wood or metal covers.
4. Travel Restraint Systems – is intended to limit a workers movement so the worker is unable to reach
location where there is a risk of falling.
5. Fall Arrest Systems – a fall arrest system does not prevent a fall. It reduces chance of injury when a fall
takes place.
6. Fall Containment Systems – safety nets and safety mesh.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

There is a need to know the environmental factors that may affect workers’ health. There are consequences that
may decrease the productivity of the worker and his/her family’s need will also be affected. The construction
work force is describe by the following:
1. Large portion are unskilled
2. Classified in skilled trades
3. 5% to 10% in industrialized countries
4. More than 90% are males
5. Women workers in developed countries
6. Migrant workers in some countries
7. Unskilled construction is the entry into paid labor force

Health Hazards in Construction Site

1. Chemical Hazards – affect the body via inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption
2. Physical Hazards – include noise, heat, vibration and radiation
3. Ergonomic Hazards – mainly manual handling of loads

The following is the hierarchy of controls to improve workplace safely

1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Engineering Controls – requires a physical change to the workplace
4. Administrative Controls including Work Practice Controls – requires worker or employer to do
something
5. Personal Protective Equipment –requires worker to wear something

DEMOLITION SAFETY

Working with demolition equipment can be as equally hazardous as working with construction equipment.

Safe Demolition Requires Adequate Planning to:

1. Identify the hazards
2. Meet legislative requirements
3. Ensure appropriate equipment
4. Ensure safe disposal of materials
5. Determine appropriate methods of demolition
6. Determine cost of demolition

Key Areas for Planning

1. Type of construction 6. Location
2. Type of structure (use) 7. General conditions of adjoining structures
3. State of structure 8. Access and egress
4. Structural hazards 9. Suitability of site for equipment
5. Hazardous substances

Hazards Associated with Demolition

4|Page
CE 513:
CONSTRUCTION METHODS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
LECTURE
LEC 07 – Construction Manpower Safety
1. Falls
2. Being Hit/Trapped/Crushed by objects
3. Manual handling
4. Hazardous substances and dangerous goods
5. Noise and vibration
6. Electric shock
7. Fires and explosions
8. Equipment

5|Page
CE 513:
CONSTRUCTION METHODS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
LECTURE