Mumbai University > Civil Engineering > Sem 8 > Construction Management

Marks: 10M

Year: Dec 2014, Dec 2013, Dec 2012

Safety is the state of being safe, the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be considered non-desirable.

The main causes of accidents are:

1. Falls from height:

   This is the main cause of fatal accidents. These often occur due to:

   • Inadequate scaffolding
   • Lack of edge protection
   • Unprotected openings in buildings
   • Lack of edge protection in roof work
   • Dangerous demolition work
   • Inappropriate use of inappropriate ladders and hoists

2. Crush Injuries:

   These occur in unsafe excavations often lead to fatal accidents or serious injuries. They occur when there is inadequate support for trench sides, especially after rainfalls or when vehicles are operating too close to the edge. Buildings and walls may collapse when supporting structures are undermined.

3. Being struck by falling objects, materials or tools

   This is a potentially deadly occurrence. Such falling objects can be due to:

   • The lack of toe boards on scaffolding
   • Lack of tool belts for workers
   • Bad storage and stocking
   • Poor housekeeping.

   Injuries may also result from improper use of hoists and cranes, and from being struck, crushed or trapped by vehicles, trucks and machinery.

4. Electrocutions: This can be due to cable strikes on buried services or to contact with overhead cables.

Following are some precaution that you should stick to ensure safety at work:

1. Avoiding falls: The first major step to protect yourself from construction area pitfalls is to avoid falling. A number of workers die annually by falling from a ladder or scaffold. Make sure you get the right training to work in such areas. Before stepping on to a scaffold, make sure that they are carefully checked for safety. You should be well aware of maximum weight that it can handle so do not overload. Also try to avoid falls, is to avoid sitting and walking on skylights.
2. Avoid intoxication: Toxic materials are very widely used things in construction. Most of the paints used for bridges, tunnels and buildings have heavy amounts of lead. One way to avoid any severe damage is to take a frequent test for your blood lead level. Another toxic substance is the tar. When laying hot tar, many harmful fumes are formed. These fumes can cause allergies in the eyes, skin and lungs. The fumes can probably, cause cancer. Ensure that your using the required safety gear as well.
3. Right Ergonomics: The tools and equipment used in construction must be suitable and comfortable for you to use. Everyone has unique comfort criteria so no one else would be able to check that for you. Sometimes even the simplest tool such as screw driver can lead to a carpal tunnel syndrome. Take extreme precautions when handling and lifting heavy objects as it can result in severe back and spine problems.
4. No Shocking: - It is a simple assumption that the main power should be kept off when working with electrical appliances. But this is one of the main causes of construction fatalities. Do ensure that the floor, your hands and your clothes are not damp during your work. Watch out for exposed wires at anywhere and get them fixed before you start anything else.