14-06-2009, 08:59 AM
DESIGNING FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKER SAFETY
PANCHDEV KUMAR
ASSISTANT MANAGER
JINDAL STEEL & POWER LTD, RAIPUR
Email- panchdev.kumar[at]gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The construction industry stands out from other
employments as having one of the highest worker
injury and fatality rates. Construction comprises a
very small percentage of the overall workforce.
Yet, the incidence rate for non-fatal injuries and
illnesses exceeds that of many other industries.
The construction industry has the most fatalities of
any other industry sector. Some studies have
shown that a fairly large percentage of
construction
accidents
could have
been
eliminated, reduced, or avoided by making better
choices in the design and planning stages of a
project . Addressing construction safety in the
design and planning phase, therefore, can have a
substantial impact on reducing injuries and the
cost associated with safety related project delays.
General (prime) contractors have the highest
level of influence on site safety because they
monitor, coordinate and direct the work of the
subcontractors. General contractors frequently
provide equipment that is shared by multiple
subcontractors. There may be one or more
prime contractors in come cases.
Subcontractors provide the labor and tools to
complete their work.
Subcontractors are
responsible for the safety of their employees
with regard to their portion of the work. If a
subcontractor
creates
a
hazard,
the
subcontractor must protect its own employees
as well as others who might be exposed.
The Role of Design Professionals in
Influencing Construction Site Safety
The role of the design professional has
traditionally been to design a building, facility,
or structure such that it conforms to accepted
engineering practices, local building codes,
and is safe for the public. The safety of
construction workers is left up to the
contractors. However, design professionals
can influence construction safety by making
better choices in the design and planning
stages of a project. This would result in fewer
site decisions that have to be made by
contractors and workers that can lead to
accidents. It is suggested that designers can
in fact have a strong influence on construction
safety. In 1985 ILO (International Labor
Organization) recommended that designers
give consideration to the safety of workers who
will be involved in erecting buildings or
structures. About 60% of fatal accidents in
construction are the result of decisions made
before the site work begins. In 1994 a study of
the United Kingdomâ„¢s construction industry
found a causal page link between design decisions
and safe construction.
The Contractorsâ„¢ Role in Construction Site
Safety
Construction safety (the intermediate phase
between a finished design and a completed
building) is largely the responsibility of the
contractors and other site professionals. The
success of a project depends on the intricate
planning and decisions that are made on site. Most
construction accidents result from basic root causes
such as lack of proper training, deficient
enforcement of safety, unsafe equipment, unsafe
methods or sequencing, unsafe site conditions, not
using the safety equipment that was provided, and
a poor attitude towards safety. Often times the role
of the various contractors is unclear as some
contractors may try to transfer responsibility for
safety to others. The most common construction
project arrangement is that of general (prime)
contractor/subcontractor.
Under BOCWA 1996, the prime contractor has
overall responsibility for job site safety (compliance
with Indian Safety regulations).Page 39
Journal of HSE & Fire Engineering
Issue 2 March 2009
Page 30
HIGH
Ability to
Influence Safety
LOW
Project Schedule
START
END
Figure 1 Time/Safety Influence Curve the ability to influence safety. Diminishes as schedule moves toward start-up.
Conceptual
Detailed engineering
Procurement
Construction
Start up
Designing for Construction Worker Safety
(DfCS) is an extension of the DFS process to
construction projects. The DfCS process applies
to the design of a permanent building, facility, or
structure. The process does not address
methods to make construction safer, but how to
make a project safer to build. For example, the
use of fall protection systems is not part of the
DfCS process. Where DfCS would come into
play is to influence design decisions that could
eliminate or significantly reduce the need for fall
protection systems during construction and
maintenance. It requires the ability to identify
potential hazards associated with construction
and maintenance workers in the design stage of
a project. The skill of the design professional is
then applied to eliminate the hazard (or
significantly reduce the risk) by incorporating the
appropriate design features.
The involvement of design professionals,
specifically engineers, is not totally new to
construction safety. Many of the OSHA
construction regulations currently require an
engineer or engineering controls. Subpart P
(excavations), Subpart L (scaffolds), Subpart R
(steel erection), Subpart N (cranes, derricks,
hoists, elevators, and conveyors), Subpart Q
(concrete and masonry construction), and
The ability to influence construction safety versus
time is depicted in Figure 1. The ideal time to
influence construction safety is during the concept
and design phase. As the curve shows, the ability
to influence safety diminishes as the schedule
moves from concept toward start-up.
Designing for Construction Worker Safety
(DfCS)
Designing for Safety (DFS) is the formal process
that incorporates hazard analysis at the beginning
of a design. This process starts with identifying
the hazard(s). Engineering measures are then
applied to eliminate the hazard(s) or reduce the
risk. The hierarchy of design measures starts with
eliminating the hazard(s) by engineering design.
If the hazard(s) cannot be eliminated by
engineering design, then safety device(s) are
incorporated.
If the risk of injury cannot be eliminated by
engineering design, or reduced by incorporating a
safety device, then warnings, instruction, and
training are the last resort. This process has been
applied to the design of products, equipment,
machines, facilities, buildings, and job tasks.
Manufacture, assembly, and maintenance are
considered during the design process.Page 40
Journal of HSE & Fire Engineering
Issue 2 March 2009
Page 31
Figure 2 The DfCS Process. The process incorporates site safety knowledge into design decisions.
Subpart M (fall protection) all make reference to
engineering services. DfCS takes the skill of the
design professional one step further. Rather than
designing temporary structures and systems for
construction, design expertise would be extended to
include the safety aspects of permanent structures,
including maintenance.
Figure 2 depicts the typical DfCS process. The key
feature of this process is the input of site safety
knowledge into design decisions.
A number of progress reviews would ensure
that safety is considered throughout the
design process. The end product, the design
documents, would not look any different than
they do now. The only difference is that the
drawing and specifications would reflect a
design that is safer to build and maintain.
Table I is a sample listing of DfCS design
details.
Table I DfCS Design Details (from Weinstein(2005), Gambatese (1997), Behm(2005))
Suggestion
Purpose
1.
Design prefab units that can be built on the
Reduce worker exposure to falls and being
ground and erected in place
struck by falling objects
2.
Design underground utilities to be placed
Eliminate safety hazards associated with
using trench less technologies
trenching
3.
Allow adequate clearance between structure
Overhead power lines are hazardous when
and power lines.
operating cranes
4. Design 42 parapet walls
Eliminate need for fall protection
5. Design permanent anchorage points
Provide fall protection anchorage during
construction and future maintenance
6. Specify primers, sealers, and other coatings
Reduce noxious fumes
that do not emit noxious fumes Page 41
Journal of HSE & Fire Engineering
Issue 2 March 2009
Page 32
Tools for Design Professionals
There are a number of design aids available to
design professionals. The Construction Industry
Institute has developed over 400 design
suggestions that could be used by design
professional.
Conclusions/Recommendations
Designing for Construction Worker Safety (DfCS)
is an extension of the DFS process to construction
projects. The potential to reduce construction
accidents by addressing construction safety in the
design and planning phase is an incentive for
moving forward with this concept.
Please plan to attend the Designing for
Construction Worker Safety workshop.
Reference
1. Construction Safety Management Systems
By Stephen M. Rowlinson
2. Implementation of Safety and Health on
Construction Sites By Amarjit Singh, Jimmie
Hinze, International Council for Buildin
