Effectiveness of Construction Safety Plans - Case Study Example

Safety management plan and evaluation of the effectiveness of construction safety plans Name: Course: Lecturer: Institution: City & State: Date: Workplace health and safety management plan Executive summary Safety in the construction is vital issue that needs a considerable level of planning. This is to enable the success of other construction related operations. The Calypso, a multistory building is the new attraction site that is on construction and it should accommodate 300 office workers. It is to be erected near the main road at a well know assembly and maintenance site. This report analyses different OHS methods integrated in safety Management Plan that relate to Calypso Building. This will be achievable through categorizing, and centering threat to life as per the risk and related emergencies at Calypso. Further, this report looks at different risks that are associated with construction safety at Calypso as well as the right strategies and interventions that can help to manage the safety management plant in the area. This report focuses on risk management by Cobra construction LTD for achieving healthier and safer working environment for the Calypso building. Cobra construction Ltd shall achieve its many goals through different strategies that they have to put in place with a goal to be the most knowledgeable in their way to handle risk management. Amongst these strategies, include developing and refining their existing methodologies as well as inclusion of new approaches and experiences to deal with emergencies Introduction Occupational health targets the publicity and care at a very critical level that takes into consideration the physical, social and mental eudaimonia of workers in the relevant occupational areas. It also considers the prevention amidst workers in terms of the different occupational health issues that relate to the working conditions that the workers are working. Moreover, it considers protecting the workers against the factors that promote risky working environment. Further, it considers the laying and care of the worker’s safety as per their occupational environment to adapt to the psychological and physiological capability. Lastly, it insists on the care of duty all the workers must consider when focusing on their specific areas of duty. It has been the international labor organization’s (2001) guideline that all the management systems to introduce and practice OHS management system in the line of duty. This was to spear head the need to promote health and safety of the employees, which is mandated to follow policy planning, organization and implementation of the set action plan through constant OHS management system audits. Following the set ILO management, systems not only helped the health and safety of the employees, but also helped much in promoting the employers competitive advantage against those not recognizing the OHS management. Different countries have varying OHS management systems but in as much as they vary them, all mean safety in the construction areas. Focusing on the duty and responsibility in construction, this document is a more on the light to encourage further precautions that the contractor should have to ensure safety while taking into consideration of the number of occupants to use the building. Integrating the ISO standards such as environmental management systems and Quality management systems in the construction helps in achieving the desirable OHS management plan. Therefore, the contractor in this case, has the full mandate to carry out the WHS regulations 2011. This is in order to meet the basis of the safety policy set by the ILO to develop a proper framework of the safety management plan. Purpose of the management plan This management plan is an overview that needs to undertaken by any construction company that is held as a contractor to undertake any construction work. It is ideal to develop an overview of the possible dangers that the workers involved in construction works need to have. In addition, this management plan is plan to sensitize the contractor to take precautions relevant to the workers to prevent dangers and risks involved in the construction site. Scope As per the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, this management plan is destined to cater for the risk assessment of the construction safety management. It covers both the workers and the employer’s need to take precautions relevant to OHS in all working areas. HSW regulation 3 requires that the employees should have adequate training on matters related to health and safety. Therefore, this report focuses on the necessity and the need to have proper OHS training to the workers and the employer’s responsibility to the workers (Hallowell, 2008). Risk assessment Physical hazards present in the occupational environment Many injuries in many industries are because of the physical hazards in the construction sites. Construction sites are unavoidable when it comes to the operations that must be considered in these areas. Therefore, there is a need to develop the most ideal safety management plan to curb the obvious dangers that might arise from these areas. Machines that are available in these construction sites they have moving parts, hot surfaces, edges that are sharp as well as other potential physical hazards. These hazards are a danger to the workers, which might crush, cut shear and even burn the workers. According to the national institute of safety health, those involved in operations relating to confined places should be aware of the dangers that might arise to them as well as the rescuers in case of danger. Extreme temperatures that are in the construction sites are a danger to the workers. Rashes, exhaustion, heat stroke and cramps are some of the major causes that may arise from heat stress. Thus the workers must always be warned and avoid such extremes to have a safe working environment. Most construction machinery leads to vibration in the construction site that can cause musculoskeletal disorders. On the other hand, air pressure imbalance can lead to asphyxiation. These hazards are avoidable through proper adoption of good ergonomic design as well as diminution of strenuous machine movements that are in a repeating mode. Chemical hazards present in the occupational environment Chemicals as related to the construction sites, they lead to skin damage to the workers. Such sources of chemical hazards may be from acids, bases, heavy metals, solvents, particulates such as asbestos and silica, fumes, and conflagration and explosion hazards (Hawkins, 2003). Skin inflammation, rushes and scotching are some of the effects that arise from these chemicals. It is a good idea to have safety management plan that considers control and proper use, care and handling of these chemicals. When handling acids, it is a good idea to use acid gloves and goggles to prevent fumes from reaching the eyes. In addition, avoid inhaling the gas fumes that arise from the acids. Heavy metals, such as lead have fatal effects to the ecosystem if ingested (Iafc, 2010). Thus, it is ideal to avoid use of such metals, which are mostly included in the petroleum products that are used in the construction sites. Particulates, such as silica and asbestos and other fibers are very dangers if handled carelessly and if inhaled they can lead to respiratory complications. According to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, chapter 7 regulation 300, cobra construction LTD should check the substances that they give to the workers and ensure that they are given proper control and preventive measures before handling them. Biological hazards present in the occupational environment Construction sites have a great number of biological fatalities that include bacterial, fungal such as molds, viral and blood-borne pathogens. These biological hazards are a great danger to the workers in the construction site. The working conditions that are present in the working sites are mostly predominated by wetness and cold environment. These conditions favor the development and growth of the biological hazard bearing pathogens. To control the dangers involved in these conditions, there is a need to develop safety plan that meets the criteria to control the biological bearing pathogens. Such pathogens include Legionella a pathogen bacterium, which is a gram-negative bacterium. Its rods are associable with infections that relate to respiratory system in the human body. The control measures that need adoption include disinfection of the wet areas, use of physical measures such as chemicals like biocide and temperature control to reduce the growth. If temperatures are below 200C, there is no growth since this makes legionella inactive. Cleaning the system with water at 600C kills most the legionella by denaturing their cells (Ernest, & Flick, 2009). Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, 407 states that any person undertaking business or construction must consider monitoring biological hazards. Therefore, Cobra Construction LTD should consider conducting a weekly monitoring in the construction area. Psychosocial hazards present in the occupational environment Psychological and social related safety issues are at large a great deal that affects most workers. These hazards include work related stress, which include over working, violence to the workers, bullying the workers, mobbing, sexual harassment and exposure to unhealthy elements such as tobacco and alcohol (Allan, 2005). The overall work safety management plan 2011 considers Psychosocial and social issues that might affect the workers at the construction sites. OHS management of construction According to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, division 11, it requires that any person before commencing any construction work must have general induction training on WHS regulations. This is in effect to have safe working environment to both the employer and the employee. In such cases, where the workers have undergone induction training on WHS regulations, the chances of risks involved are minimal. As per the requirements of the Australian work health and safety regulation 2011, employers must conduct induction training to the workers before commencement of the construction duties. According to the health and safety act regulations, section 2 it is clear that employers have danger or outbreak to the environment. In essence, it is an obligation for all employers to ensure better sanitation and all the working areas inspected of any hazardous cases around. Regulation 4 of health and safety work act states clearly that, for persons in charge of the premises they have a duty to protect the entire working force, which include the employees and other persons other than employees. Under this regulation, the manager has full responsibility for the persons within the premises including the contractors (Desheng, 2010). The Cobra’s site manager is bestowed with responsibility to ensure there is order and safety for the employees. As the site contractor Cobra construction LTD should be accountable for the relevant issues related to the health and safety of the employees that are within the Calypso premises when on duty (Stranks, 2005). According to COSHH, a number of regulations are essential to contain hazardous substances. These regulations include identifying the hazards in the work place; performing a risk assessment; Establishing ways to reduce the harm. Moreover, they include ensuring that the above ways are applied practically; Ensuring the controls are functioning properly; and availing information, training and instructions to workers and any other persons exposed to damage Further, the managers need to have health surveillance and monitoring for their employees. As a regulation the contractor has to meet the requirements for COSSH regulation 12, in that, the employees have be qualified to handle the work given to them, which requires a trained personnel in that area (Ladou, 2006). Effect of the OHS on Legal Safety on construction Health and safety standards within the workplace As the law requires, managers of the construction sites to adhere to the OHS management system regulations, the set rules would therefore help the working environment. This is in order to create a safe employees and employers relationship in the working area. Development and endorsing the OHS serves in a great part in preventing illnesses and injuries that might occur to the persons present at the construction areas (Mark, & James, 2010). Therefore, enforcement of the OHS regulations provides in WHS documents as per the state regulation is an ideal preventive measure to the risks that might occur in the future date. According to the WHS regulations 2011, it requires that any OHS practitioner to have the following to run a safe working environment: Constant safety evaluation that relate to the workers environment During the assessment, they should endorse measures that are ideal to get rid of any foreseeable illnesses and dangers They should also provide any relevant information that is available to help the safety of the employees They should provide details that relate to occupational ergonomic and hygiene as well as the environmental risks that are available in the working areas They should conduct provisional medical examination to all the members present in the construction areas If the above regulations are followed, then the OHS management system will have served a bigger portion in risk prevention. This not only controls the risks but also helps in ensuring that the working environment is safe for the workers and employees in general. According to the regulation 292, anyone involved in the construction work has the OHS duties that he/she must adhere to and follow accordingly. Primarily, WHS regulations requires that any person in charge of a construction business to take responsibility to educate and ensure that the workers follow the OHS precautions. With effect to these regulations, the WHS regulations help in great part to achieving the risk and safety management in the construction areas. Failure to follow these regulations may lead to harm and illnesses to persons present in the construction sites (Rowlinson, 2004). Considering that Calypso construction takes different managerial levels, that is, the main contractor and the sub-contractors, if they all adhere to and follow the WHS regulations, then safety would not be an issue. Conclusion All construction works starts with the designers who give multiple designs. Therefore, as the designers provide the alterations and the specifications of the building, WHS requires that the construction design be with no risk as per the OHS systems (Fred, 2003). This design must include all considerable cases that relate to the safety of the workers and the managers present in the site. Additionally, the WHS regulation 2011 requires that the designer should provide the contractor or those undertaking the construction process, a full report that entails any possible hazards that relate to the design. The reason as to why the designer has to provide the hazard report is to ensure that the persons involved in the construction duties to be aware of the possible risks that they have to take care of and prevent (Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), 2007). References Allan, J.H. (2005). Principles of Construction Safety. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Australian government. (2011). Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011. Safe Work Australia Brebbia, C. A. (2010). Risk Analysis VII & Brownfields V. Southampton: WIT Press Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), (2007). Guidelines for Risk Based Process Safety. New York: John Wiley & Sons Desheng, D. (2010). Modeling Risk Management in Sustainable Construction. New York: Springer Ernest, W. & Flick, M., (2009). An Industrial Guide: Water Treatment Chemicals. New York: William Andrew Fred, A. M. (2003). On the Practice of Safety. New York: John Wiley & Sons Hallowell, M. R. (2008). A Formal Model for Construction Safety and Health Risk Management. New Jersey: ProQuest. Hawkins, L. (2003). Tolley's Guide to Managing Employee Health. Unite Kingdom: Taylor &Francis. Health and Safety Executive (2003). Easy steps to control chemicals. To deal with Substances and Health Regulations: C.O.S.H.H essentials. London: HSE books Iafc, (2010). Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning Ladou, J., (2006). Current Occupational & Environmental Medicine (4th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Mark, A. F. &, James, P. K. (2010). Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health. New York: Taylor & Francis. Rowlinson, S. (2004). Construction Safety Management Systems. New York: Taylor & Francis. Stranks, J. (2005). Health and Safety Law (5th ed.). London: Prentice Hall. Maryland: Government Institutes. Read More