Construction AccidentsConstruction Accidents

Managing Risks

Johann F. Szautner, P.E., P.L.S.

Cowan Associates, Inc.

IntroductionIntroduction

Construction accounted for 7% of US workforce, but claimed 21% of all occupational fatalities and 10% of all disabling occupational injuries (DOL 2005)

Nearly 200,000 serious injuries and 1,200 deaths each year

Construction has the most fatalities of any industry sector. This dictates the need to understand the various construction trade activities and options to eliminate systemic accident risks

By analyzing actual accident events, root causes can be isolated and risk management efforts could be directed at these root causes and not at symptoms, leading to more effective accident risk management

Root Causes of Construction AccidentsRoot Causes of Construction Accidents

Inadequate construction planning Lack of proper training Deficient enforcement of training Unsafe equipment Unsafe methods or sequencing Unsafe site conditions Not using safety equipment that

was provided

OSHA - The Safety GatekeeperOSHA - The Safety Gatekeeper

Congress passed the William-Steiger Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970, Title 29 USC 451.

Construction Safety & Health Regulations, CFR Title 29, part 1926 applies to the construction

site work activities and part 1910,General industry Standard to actual facilities and

their operations.

Duty to provide a Safe Work Place

Duty to provide a Safe Work Place

An accident-prevention program for each project is essential to attain an accident free jobsite.

Although most contractors have effective safety programs many sub contractors do not!

1. Often they do not require their employees to follow safety rules;

2. Do not provide personal protective equipment;3. Permit the use of unsafe equipment.

Duty to implement an effective

Safety & Health Plan

Duty to implement an effective

Safety & Health Plan

Contractor’s program can only be successful if it fulfills these conditions:

1) Commitment by top management;2) Established safety policy by top

management;3) Constantly seeks a safe & healthy

environment;4) Competent supervision;5) Provides delegation of adequate

authority;

6) Provides scheduled safety training & education;

7) Conducts accident prevention inspections;

8) Investigates accidents to find cause & not to assign blame;

9) Provides a measurement of the effectiveness of the accident prevention program;

10) Maintains documentation of all accidents;

Duty to provide a “Competent Person”

Duty to provide a “Competent Person”

OSHA established in 1989 the category of “Competent Person” and it’s definition in subpart P of 29 CFR 1926.

A Competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and one who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

This person must be an employee of the contractor and be trained in geotechnical engineering.

Duty to foster a Safety CultureDuty to foster a Safety Culture

Develop the knowledge base and skills for construction management and workers to recognize hazards and to uncover “hidden hazards”.

Develop the knowledge base and skills for architects and engineers to incorporate design features to eliminate or reduce the risk of an injury due to a hazard

Risk Management = Hazard Management

Risk Management = Hazard Management

Hazard is the potential to do harm or damage when combined with a trigger mechanism

Risk is the probability of a hazard-related incident occurring, measured by the severity of harm or damage

Risk Categorization is done with the help of professional expertise, cost-benefit analysis and consideration of public perception. We determine risks to be acceptable or unacceptable

Safety = A Myth?Safety = A Myth?

Safety is not absoluteSafety is the summation of acceptable

risks, there is no absolute safety

Hazard IdentificationHazard Identification

Mechanical Energy Electrical Energy Chemical Energy Kinetic Energy Potential Energy

Thermal Energy Acoustic Energy Radiant Energy Environmental Hazards Biological Hazards

Design for Safety = Employ Risk Hierarchy

Design for Safety = Employ Risk Hierarchy

Identify Hazards Assess Risks Design Features to eliminate

or reduce Risks Consider Construction Consider Operation &

Maintenance Consider Decommissioning

1. Eliminate the Risk2. Provide Guarding3. Provide Warning4. Provide Training5. Provide Personal

Protective Equipment

Ability to manage Risk in Construction

Ability to manage Risk in Construction

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Most frequently cited OSHA Violations

Most frequently cited OSHA Violations

1) Scaffolds & Aerial Lifts - L2) Fall Protection-subpart - M3) Cranes & Hoists - N4) Excavations - P5) Steel Erection - R6) Ladders & Stairways - X7) Masonry & Concrete

Construction - Q8) Demolition - T

Scaffolds and Arial LiftsScaffolds and Arial Lifts

Scaffold Capacity: 4 times the maximum intended load

Hoist Capacity: 4 times the tipping moment from operating load

Fall Protection – same levelFall Protection – same level

Falling from ElevationFalling from Elevation

Falling ObjectsFalling Objects

Cranes & HoistsCranes & Hoists Provide competent person, licensed or certified crane operator

Post load rating and operating speed

Perform inspection prior, during and after operations

Structure Excavation

Structure Excavation

Employ competent person Notify utilities Guard and warn Protect employees Slope & Bench excavation Shore or Shield excavation

Trench ExcavationTrench Excavation

LaddersLadders

Inspect ladder prior to use & check ratingPlace ladder at a slope ration of 4:1Secure Base & TopStand on rung and hold on to rung in frontDo not climb on top three rungsRestrict side movement to keep belt buckle within rails

Stairways

Stairways

Provide adequate landings Provide consistent step

dimensions Provide slip resistant surface Provide railings Avoid visual camouflage Provide adequate lighting

Masonry & Concrete Construction

Masonry & Concrete Construction

DemolitionDemolition

Premises & Public Right 0f Way Liability Exposure

Premises & Public Right 0f Way Liability Exposure

Premises Liability exposure towards invitees, while contractor is in control of the property. Same as the possessor of land.

As a condition of approval for construction in a public right-of-way, the governmental agency in control of the public right of way, typically codifies that construction shall not interfere or conflict with the public use and/or purpose of the right-of-way. This mandate is typically enforced in a permitting process in which the contractor is required to hold the governmental entity harmless and provide adequate insurance for any potential liability arising out of the construction activities.

Liability ExposureLiability Exposure

Darwinian Award CandidatesDarwinian Award Candidates

Analyze Cause & Effect = Root CauseAnalyze Cause & Effect = Root Cause

Risk Management is a Team Concept

Risk Management is a Team Concept

For Constructors Identify Root Cause of

Construction Accident Implement Accident

Prevention Training Improve Worker Attitude Improve Management

Procedures

For Designers

Design for Construction Safety Expectations

Design for future Maintenance

Design for operational Perspective & Changes

Design for Decommissioning

= TEAM+