Designing for Designing for Construction SafetyConstruction Safety

Lee Anne JillingsLee Anne JillingsU.S. Dept. of Labor-OSHAU.S. Dept. of Labor-OSHA

John Mroszczyk,John Mroszczyk, PhD, PE, CSPPhD, PE, CSP

ASSE / Northeast Consulting Engineers, Inc.ASSE / Northeast Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Mike TooleMike Toole, , PhD, PEPhD, PE

Civil & Env. Engineering, Bucknell UniversityCivil & Env. Engineering, Bucknell University

OverviewOverview

• OSHA Alliance ProgramOSHA Alliance Program• What is Designing for Construction Safety?What is Designing for Construction Safety?• Why is it important?Why is it important?• How do Design Professionals fit in?How do Design Professionals fit in?• Potential BarriersPotential Barriers• ExamplesExamples• ResourcesResources

OSHA Alliance ProgramOSHA Alliance Program

• Purpose of Alliance RoundtablesPurpose of Alliance Roundtables

• Success of Construction Alliance Success of Construction Alliance Roundtable: Roundtable:

Fall Protection WorkgroupFall Protection Workgroup

Design for Safety (DfS) WorkgroupDesign for Safety (DfS) Workgroup

OSHA Alliance Program Construction OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable: DfS Workgroup MembersRoundtable: DfS Workgroup Members

American Society of Safety EngineersAmerican Society of Safety Engineers Independent Electrical Contractors Independent Electrical Contractors ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North AmericaLaborers Health and Safety Fund of North America Mason Contractors Association of America Mason Contractors Association of America National Fire Protection Association National Fire Protection Association National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Washington Group InternationalWashington Group International

DfS Workgroup ProductsDfS Workgroup Products

DfCS PowerPoint presentationDfCS PowerPoint presentation Presentations at National ConferencesPresentations at National Conferences 2 to 4 hour course for design 2 to 4 hour course for design

professionalsprofessionals www.designforconstructionsafety.org Collaboration with NIOSH Prevention Collaboration with NIOSH Prevention

through Design initiativethrough Design initiative

Designing for Construction Safety Designing for Construction Safety (DfCS) – What is it?(DfCS) – What is it?

An extension of DfS to coverAn extension of DfS to cover construction construction projectsprojects

Recognizes construction site safety as a Recognizes construction site safety as a design criteriondesign criterion

The process of addressing construction The process of addressing construction site safety and health in the design of a site safety and health in the design of a projectproject

U.S. Construction Accident StatisticsU.S. Construction Accident Statistics11

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

7% of workforce but 21% of fatalities7% of workforce but 21% of fatalities

Construction has one of the highest fatality Construction has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry sectorrates of any industry sector

11 Bureau of Labor Statistics-2005Bureau of Labor Statistics-2005

Construction Fatalities By OccupationConstruction Fatalities By Occupation11

Total fatalities 1,234Total fatalities 1,234 Construction laborers 283Construction laborers 283 Carpenters 107Carpenters 107 Construction Managers 95Construction Managers 95 Roofers 94Roofers 94 First-line supervisors 93First-line supervisors 93 Electricians 70Electricians 70 Painters/paper hangers 57Painters/paper hangers 57 Truck drivers 56Truck drivers 56

11 BLS,2004 BLS,2004

Why Is DfCS Necessary?Why Is DfCS Necessary?

Currently there are no requirements for Currently there are no requirements for construction safety in building codes construction safety in building codes

IBC Chapter 33 Safeguards During IBC Chapter 33 Safeguards During Construction-Pedestrian SafetyConstruction-Pedestrian Safety

Typical Construction Project Typical Construction Project ArrangementArrangement

Project owner contracts separately with a Project owner contracts separately with a architect/engineer and with a general architect/engineer and with a general contractor or a construction managercontractor or a construction manager

Above entities may subcontract out some or Above entities may subcontract out some or all of the work to specialty trade contractorsall of the work to specialty trade contractors

Project owners occasionally contract with a Project owners occasionally contract with a design-build firm to perform both design and design-build firm to perform both design and constructionconstruction

Root Causes for Construction Root Causes for Construction AccidentsAccidents11

Inadequate construction planningInadequate construction planning Lack of proper trainingLack of proper training Deficient enforcement of trainingDeficient enforcement of training Unsafe equipmentUnsafe equipment Unsafe methods or sequencingUnsafe methods or sequencing Unsafe site conditionsUnsafe site conditions Not using safety equipment that was Not using safety equipment that was

providedprovided

11 Toole, “Construction Site Safety Roles”, 2002 Toole, “Construction Site Safety Roles”, 2002

Accidents Linked to DesignAccidents Linked to Design1,21,2

22% of 226 injuries that occurred from 2000-22% of 226 injuries that occurred from 2000-2002 in Oregon, WA and CA2002 in Oregon, WA and CA

42% of 224 fatalities in US between 1990-42% of 224 fatalities in US between 1990-20032003

In Europe, a 1991 study concluded that 60% In Europe, a 1991 study concluded that 60% of fatal accidents resulted from decisions of fatal accidents resulted from decisions made before site work beganmade before site work began

11 Behm, “Linking Construction Fatalities to the Design for Construction Safety Concept”, 2005 Behm, “Linking Construction Fatalities to the Design for Construction Safety Concept”, 2005

2 2 European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working ConditionsEuropean Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Where Do Design Professionals Where Do Design Professionals Fit In?Fit In?

Considering safety issues related to the Considering safety issues related to the permanent facility during the design permanent facility during the design stagestage

Designing out anticipated hazardsDesigning out anticipated hazards

Considering Safety During Design Considering Safety During Design Offers the Most PayoffOffers the Most Payoff11

Conceptual Design

Detailed Engineering

Procurement

Construction

Start-up

High

Low

Ability to Influence

Safety

Project Schedule

1 Szymberski 1987

What Types of Design Decisions?What Types of Design Decisions? IBC paragraph 704.11.1 IBC paragraph 704.11.1

requires that a parapet wall requires that a parapet wall be at least 30 inches highbe at least 30 inches high

OSHA 1926 Subpart M OSHA 1926 Subpart M requires a 36-42 inch requires a 36-42 inch guardrail or other fall guardrail or other fall protectionprotection

If the design professional If the design professional specifies a 36-42 inch high specifies a 36-42 inch high parapet wall, fall protection parapet wall, fall protection would not be required would not be required

DfCS ProcessDfCS Process11

Design Kickoff Design

Internal Review

Issue for Construction

External Review

Trade contractor involvement

• Establish design for safety expectations

• Include construction and operation perspective

• Identify design for safety process and tools

• QA/QC

• Cross-discipline review

• Focused safety review

• Owner review

1 Gambatese

DfCS BarriersDfCS Barriers

Like many good ideas, DfCS faces a number of barriers that will likely slow its adoption.

Potential solutions to these barriers involve long-term education and institutional changes.

Barrier: Risk of Additional Designer LiabilityBarrier: Risk of Additional Designer Liability

Barrier: Designers’ concerns about Barrier: Designers’ concerns about additional undeserved liability for worker additional undeserved liability for worker safety.safety.

Potential solutions:Potential solutions: • Clearly communicate we are NOT Clearly communicate we are NOT

suggesting designers should be held suggesting designers should be held responsible for construction accidents.responsible for construction accidents.

• Develop revised model contract language Develop revised model contract language to facilitate DfCS without inappropriately to facilitate DfCS without inappropriately shifting liability onto designers.shifting liability onto designers.

Barrier: Increased Designer Costs Barrier: Increased Designer Costs Associated with DfCSAssociated with DfCS

Barrier: DfCS processes will increase both DfCS processes will increase both direct and overhead costs for designers. direct and overhead costs for designers.

Potential solution: Potential solution: • Educate owners that total project costs Educate owners that total project costs

and total project life cycle costs will and total project life cycle costs will decreasedecrease

Barrier: Designers' Lack of Safety Barrier: Designers' Lack of Safety ExpertiseExpertise

Barrier: Few design professionals possess Barrier: Few design professionals possess sufficient expertise in construction safety.sufficient expertise in construction safety.

Potential solutions:Potential solutions:• Add safety to design professionals’ Add safety to design professionals’

curricula.curricula.• Develop and promote 10-hour and 30-Develop and promote 10-hour and 30-

hour OSHA courses for design hour OSHA courses for design professionals.professionals.

DfCS Examples: DfCS Examples: Prefabrication

Steel stairs

Concrete Wall Panels

Concrete Segmented Bridge

DfCS Examples: DfCS Examples: Anchorage Points

DfCS Example: DfCS Example: Residential RoofsResidential Roofs

DfCS Examples: DfCS Examples: RoofsRoofs

Skylights Upper story windows and roof parapets

DfCS Examples: DfCS Examples: Steel l Design Avoid hanging connections; Avoid hanging connections;

design to bear on columns design to bear on columns instead using safety seatsinstead using safety seats

Require holes in columns for Require holes in columns for tie lines 21” and 42” above tie lines 21” and 42” above each floor slabeach floor slab

Specify shop welded Specify shop welded connections instead of bolts connections instead of bolts or field welds to avoid or field welds to avoid dangerous positions during dangerous positions during erectionerection

Consider approximate Consider approximate dimensions of connection dimensions of connection tools to prevent pinches or tools to prevent pinches or awkward assembliesawkward assembliesNational Institute of Steel Detailing and Steel National Institute of Steel Detailing and Steel

Erectors Association of America. Erectors Association of America. Detailing Detailing Guide for the Enhancement of Erection Safety. Guide for the Enhancement of Erection Safety. 20012001

Example of the Need for DfCSExample of the Need for DfCS Worker electrocuted when his

drill rig got too close to overhead power lines.

Design engineer specified groundwater monitoring wells were to be dug directly under power lines.

Engineer could have specified wells be dug away from power lines and/or better informed the employer of hazard posed by wells’ proximity to powerlines through the plans, specifications, and bid documents.

Other DfCS Design ExamplesOther DfCS Design Examples Design underground utilities to be placed Design underground utilities to be placed

using trenchless technologyusing trenchless technology11

Specify primers, sealers and other Specify primers, sealers and other coatings that do not emit noxious fumes or coatings that do not emit noxious fumes or contain carcinogenic productscontain carcinogenic products22

Design cable type lifeline system for Design cable type lifeline system for storage towersstorage towers33

11 Weinstein, “Can Design Improve Construction Safety”, 2005Weinstein, “Can Design Improve Construction Safety”, 200522 Gambatese, “Viability of Designing for Construction Worker Safety”, 2005 Gambatese, “Viability of Designing for Construction Worker Safety”, 200533 Behm, “Linking Construction Fatalities to the Design for Construction Safety Behm, “Linking Construction Fatalities to the Design for Construction Safety

Concept”, 2005Concept”, 2005

DfCS Practices Around the GlobeDfCS Practices Around the Globe Designers first required to design for Designers first required to design for

construction safety in the United Kingdom construction safety in the United Kingdom in 1995in 1995

Other European nations have similar Other European nations have similar requirementsrequirements

Australia also leading in DfCSAustralia also leading in DfCS

http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/HealthSafety/SafeDesign/UnderstandingHealthSafety/SafeDesign/Understanding

DfCS Success Spurs CollaborationDfCS Success Spurs Collaboration

OSHA Alliance Roundtable Success has led OSHA Alliance Roundtable Success has led to collaboration with NIOSHto collaboration with NIOSH

NIOSH NORA Construction Sector Council NIOSH NORA Construction Sector Council DfCS WorkgroupDfCS Workgroup

NIOSH Prevention Through Design National NIOSH Prevention Through Design National Workshop in July 2007Workshop in July 2007

DfCS ResourcesDfCS Resources www.designforconstructionsafety.orgwww.designforconstructionsafety.org Construction Industry Institute databaseConstruction Industry Institute database

• www.construction-institute.org/scriptcontent/more/rr101_11_more.cfm

United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive designer guidesdesigner guides• www.hse.gov.uk/construction/designers/index.htmwww.hse.gov.uk/construction/designers/index.htm

CHAIRCHAIR• www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Publications/OHS/www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Publications/OHS/

SafetyGuides/chairsafetyindesigntool.htmSafetyGuides/chairsafetyindesigntool.htm

2 to 4 Hour Course for Design 2 to 4 Hour Course for Design ProfessionalsProfessionals11

To provide design and construction To provide design and construction professionals with skills to identify professionals with skills to identify construction safety hazardsconstruction safety hazards

To provide design and constructionTo provide design and construction

professionals with skills to eliminate or professionals with skills to eliminate or reduce the risk of a serious injury in the reduce the risk of a serious injury in the design phasedesign phase

11www.designforconstructionsafety.org

2 to 4 Hour Course for Design 2 to 4 Hour Course for Design ProfessionalsProfessionals11

Safety Engineering-skills to recognize Safety Engineering-skills to recognize hazards and uncover “hidden” hazardshazards and uncover “hidden” hazards

Design features to eliminate or reduce Design features to eliminate or reduce the risk of an injury due to a hazardthe risk of an injury due to a hazard

OSHA resources for DfCSOSHA resources for DfCS

11www.designforconstructionsafety.org

SummarySummary Designing for safety can improve safety and Designing for safety can improve safety and

health on construction siteshealth on construction sites

Many countries require or promote designing Many countries require or promote designing for safetyfor safety

National organizations are working to create National organizations are working to create tools, eliminate barriers and facilitate adoption tools, eliminate barriers and facilitate adoption of this important process in the United Statesof this important process in the United States

Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening!

Questions?Questions?

Comments?Comments?