ISSUE:
- Hazards in construction pose a significant threat to workers. Understanding them is not just a regulatory requirement, but a crucial step towards ensuring your safety and that of others on the site.
- There are 17 specific construction hazards to focus on to provide a safer construction site:
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- Falls. Elevated workspaces, unguarded edges, and inadequate fall protection lead to more falls.
- Struck-By Hazards. Workers face the danger of being struck by moving vehicles, equipment, or falling objects.
- Caught-In/Between Incidents. The risk of limbs getting caught in machinery or workers being compressed between objects.
- Electrical Hazards. Exposed wiring, faulty equipment, and unsafe electrical practices heighten the risk of electric shocks.
- Collapse of Trenches and Excavations. Poorly supported trenches or excavations can collapse, leading to burial injuries.
- Chemical Exposure. Handling and exposure to hazardous chemicals demand strict adherence to safety protocols, including proper storage, usage, and PPE.
- Heavy Equipment. Mishaps involving cranes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery require rigorous operator training, maintenance, and communication.
- Fire and Explosions. Construction sites require fire prevention measures and emergency response planning.
- Noise. Prolonged exposure to loud construction noises can result in hearing loss.
- Vibration. Tools and equipment that cause vibrations can lead to long-term health issues.
- Heat Stress. Working in hot environments raises the risk of heat-related illnesses. Adequate hydration, breaks, and shaded areas are crucial to avoid heat stress.
- Biological Hazards. Exposure to mold, bacteria, and other biological agents requires proper sanitation, personal hygiene, and protective measures.
- Ergonomic Strain. Improper lifting techniques and poor ergonomics contribute to musculoskeletal disorders.
- Slips and Trips. Uneven surfaces, debris, and inadequate housekeeping lead to slips and trips.
- Respiratory Hazards. Dust, fumes, and airborne contaminants pose respiratory risks.
- Confined Spaces. Working in confined spaces requires training, ventilation, and emergency rescue plans to prevent asphyxiation or entrapment.
- Mental Health. Lack of mental health support contributes to accidents. With the construction industry having one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S., mental health is becoming one of the biggest risks to workers.
- Not matching hazards to daily tasks and having planned Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is a critical failure. Critical steps are:
a. Identifying tasks for the week
b. Identifying hazards for each task
c. Reviewing or establishing SOPs for each task
SOURCE OF HAZARDS:
- Elevated workspaces, unguarded edges, and inadequate fall protection lead to more falls.
- Being struck by moving vehicles, equipment, or falling objects.
- Getting caught in machinery or workers being compressed between objects.
- Unsafe electrical practices heighten the risk of electric shocks.
- Poorly supported trenches or excavations.
- Handling or being exposed to hazardous chemicals.
- Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery.
- Lack of emergency response planning.
- Prolonged exposure to loud construction noises.
- Tools and equipment that cause vibrations.
- Heat-related illnesses.
- Exposure to mold, bacteria, and other biological agents.
- Improper lifting techniques.
- Uneven surfaces, debris, and inadequate housekeeping.
- Dust, fumes, and airborne contaminants.
- Lack of confined space training.
- Lack of mental health support.
REGULATIONS
Contractor requirements.
1926.20(a)(1) Section 107 of the Act requires that it shall be a condition of each contract which is entered into under legislation subject to Reorganization Plan Number 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267), as defined in § 1926.12, and is for construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating, that no contractor or subcontractor for any part of the contract work shall require any laborer or mechanic employed in the performance of the contract to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to their health or safety.
Accident prevention responsibilities.
1926.20(b)(1) It shall be the responsibility of the employer to initiate and maintain such programs as may be necessary to comply with this part.
1926.20(b)(3) The use of any machinery, tool, material, or equipment which is not in compliance with any applicable requirement of this part is prohibited. Such machine, tool, material, or equipment shall either be identified as unsafe by tagging or locking the controls to render them inoperable or shall be physically removed from its place of operation.
1926.20(b)(4) The employer shall permit only those employees qualified by training or experience to operate equipment and machinery.
1926.20(d)(1) If a particular standard is specifically applicable to a condition, practice, means, method, operation, or process, it shall prevail over any different general standard which might otherwise be applicable to the same condition, practice, means, method, operation, or process.
Personal protective equipment.
1926.20(f)(1) Standards in this part requiring the employer to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators and other types of PPE, because of hazards to employees impose a separate compliance duty with respect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employer must provide PPE to each employee required to use the PPE, and each failure to provide PPE to an employee may be considered a separate violation.
CONTROL PRIORITIES:
#1 Need to participate in Monday morning WHE (Weekly Hazard Evaluations)?
#2 Need to know who the designated “Competent Person” is for each task assigned for that week? [Identify your competent person(s) for each individual task that you are required to work on].
Competent Person responsibilities:
- Ensure that each specific task is following SOP for that task.
- Ensure utilization of all equipment needed for that specific task.
- Ensure that all personnel follow SOPs.
- Personally visually perform an inspection of the task at hand and ensure that all equipment needed for the task is provided. If you have any concerns, do not perform the task or allow anybody to work and initiate a “STOP WORK” condition until all hazards are corrected.
- Follow manufacturers’ guidance regarding all application issues.
- Trust your “gut” if it does not seem or feel right – STOP WORK and contact supervisor immediately.
What You Need to Know About Hazard Identification and Controls:
Identification – Planning, Implementation, and Controls are essential.
Here are important Do’s to keep in mind when identifying Hazards – Task – Controls:
- Do take seriously the planning process.
- Do involve all personnel on site and update newly arriving personnel throughout the week.
- Do perform ongoing physical inspections and ensure that SOPs are followed.
- Do close each week with a WHE review, summarization, and sign-off.
Here are important Don’ts to keep in mind identifying Hazards – Task – Controls:
- Don’t perform or allow others to perform any tasks not planned out.
- Don’t be reserved in asking questions if anything does not appear correct.
- Don’t forget to do your own self-check before performing any task.
- Don’t assume that others from previous days or shifts have left you a safe working environment.
- Don’t forget to do your own self-check for any task performed.
- Don’t ignore the weekend closure of the WHE. (This is your opportunity to provide input for improvements and document areas needing improvement.)
