Safety in Maintenance and Use of Building - Research Paper Example

Heading: Safety in Maintenance and Use of Building Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Abstract Safety is highly significant in the maintenance and use of buildings. There are several cases of deaths, serious injuries and health complications that are associated with house usage and maintenance. Some building materials, such as, asbestos are highly dangerous to human health especially those that handle it. Drainage, lighting, heating systems, stairs and walkways ought to be maintained well so as to avoid unnecessary accidents. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate on such cases and provides ways in which they can be prevented. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Chapter 1 4 Introduction 4 Motivation and importance of study 4 Objectives of study scope 5 Overview 6 Chapter 2 6 Literature review 6 Chapter 3 11 Methodology 11 Chapter 4 12 Results analysis and discussion 12 Proposed problems of poor house maintenance systems and sustainability 13 Proposed causes of deaths in house maintenance and sustainability 14 Chapter 5 15 Conclusion and recommendations 15 References 17 Chapter 1 Introduction Motivation and importance of study Safety is one of the highly significant aspects of human health. Individuals always try to maintain safety in every activity they undertake, be it in work place, or at home. In order to maintain strong health among them, individuals have a responsibility of ensuring that they live in good houses whose construction meets all government regulations and guidelines on building. These regulations mainly focus on design, structures, ventilation, fire safety, asbestos use, waste disposal, drainage, hygiene, electrical safety, power conservation, fuel conservation, fuel storage, combustion, glazing, toxic substances, noise, and the access and use of the buildings. The aforementioned are some of the issues that any individual or organization that plans to construct or maintain a house ought to consider in order to safeguard the occupants and workers safety and health. Any house constructed in UK should meet all the requirements so as to enhance the protection of people from unnecessary accidents, health complications and deaths. Moreover, it is important to maintain houses so as to prevent health hazards and comply with government regulations. Nevertheless, maintenance and use of buildings should be handled with great care. House maintenance entails, but not limited to, replacement of glass or wooden windows, painting, changing floors, roofing, walls, electric cables, lighting systems, drainage, water sources, waste disposal systems, and ceilings. There are numerous cases that are recorded regularly in the United Kingdom regarding accidents, deaths, or health issues related to careless house usage and maintenance. For example, in roofing, builders can use asbestos, tiles or iron sheets. There are several instances in which people handle these materials carelessly; hence, suffering adverse effects. Various studies indicate that asbestos is one of the killer building materials in UK. Any individual that works on a building’s fabric puts himself at great risk of interfering with asbestos. Some of these individuals include plumbers, joiners, electricians, shop filters, gas fitters, laborers, surveyors, plasterers, roofers, data engineers, phone engineers, ventilation engineers, and heating engineers. Nevertheless, there are several campaigns that have been created and run so as help these persons to know when the may be working with asbestos. Therefore, this study was motivated by the fact that many people in the United Kingdom are suffering from various conditions that resulted from ignorance and negligence of appropriate maintenance and utilization of houses. It intended to inform people on the dangers involved in poor house usage and maintenance. Moreover, the study seeks to examine United Kingdom regulations on house maintenance and operations. In addition, this research would be influential in that it would facilitate the reduction of health issues and deaths caused by poor and careless use and management of houses in the United Kingdom. Impliedly, the research would help in the improvement of house maintenance and use of buildings in the country. Objectives of study scope Following the numerous cases of deaths, injuries and health complications caused by poor maintenance and careless use of houses in the United Kingdom, there was an urgent to inform people of the importance of the complying with the government regulations on building maintenance and usage. With respect to that, this study sought to examine what the government regulations say on the issue of safe house maintenance and usage. It also intended to illuminate on the dangers associated with house maintenance, as well as ways of overcoming these dangers. In addition, the research attempted to investigate on the appropriate ways in which people should uphold safety by maintaining and using their houses. this implies that the study sought to examine ways in which the lighting system, stairs, windows, doors, roofs, ceilings, drainage system, heating system, floors, and water systems would be replaced or installed in the houses in a way that would not compromise with the occupants’ safety and health, as well as the individuals involved in the maintenance activities. Overview This dissertation has been organized into various parts that include: Chapter 1 that deals with the introduction; motivation and importance of the research as well as its objectives. Chapter 2 concerns the present literature reviews related to the topic of study, while Chapter 3 entails the discussion of the methodology used in the collection of data, its design and the framework. Chapter 4 handles the analysis and discussion of the study findings, whereas Chapter 5 provides a summary of results and some of the pedagogical implications. Lastly, some recommendations are brought out in conclusion. Chapter 2 Literature review There are several studies that have been carried out concerning the issue of safety in the maintenance and use of houses in the United Kingdom. Maintenance and use of houses is vital in enhancement of people’s health through the prevention of accidents and health issues. According to EU-OSHA (2004) maintenance refers to the act of working on something in order to keep it a safe and functioning state as well as preserving it from decline or failure. In this case, maintenance is examined in terms of buildings. There are two categories of maintenance, which are preventive or proactive maintenance and corrective or reactive maintenance. Preventive maintenance concerns with keeping a house functional, and this is usually organized and scheduled. On the other hand, corrective maintenance involves repairing a house in order to restore its functional state. This type of maintenance is not always planned or scheduled, and is usually related with greater dangers and higher risk degrees. Maintenance, as might people think, is not limited to mechanics and fitters. Instead, all workers in all sectors are charged with a responsibility of conducting maintenance activities in their work places. Nonetheless, workers health, particularly those that work in house maintenance and building, have their safety and health affected in their maintenance processes, as well as by lack of, or insufficient maintenance. Moreover, equipment design and work environment has a considerable consequence on the maintenance workers’ safety and health. These can also have adverse effects on house occupants if it is not done carefully (EU-OSHA, 2004). Castleman (2005, pp. 799-805) postulates that the use of asbestos needs a lot of care because it can have detrimental impact on the people handling it. This material consists of many naturally existing fibrous silicate minerals that can be divided into durable and thin threads. Some of its properties are actinolite, anthophylite, crocidolite, amosite, and chrysotile, or white asbestos. According to Hughes (2008, pp. 83-90), asbestos is rated one of the most dangerous building materials in the United Kingdom. Its adverse effects always affect any individual that handles building fabric, and these include plasterers, gas fitters, electricians, roofers, and the engineers concerned with house building and maintenance (Construction Confederation, 2008, pp. 3-8). Besides, Sato (2010, pp. 30-40) asserts that asbestos is a highly friable material that, depending on the extent of binding into a product and interference, its fibers can be released into air in small or large quantities. Upon breathing in these fibers, they can get into the lungs and stay for a long time since they are insoluble. As a result, these can cause inflammation and scarring, which influence breathing, and eventually serious health complications. World Trade Organization (2004, pp. 3517-3520) says that it can lead to chronic lung disease, lung cancer, pleural plaques and mesothelioma. Despite these negative effects, asbestos are useful in the construction and maintenance of buildings. Even though asbestos has been prohibited, there are millions of materials that exist in buildings today. Some of the forms in which asbestos is used in a building include water and drainage pipes, corrugated sheets, window ledges, panels and ceiling boards, boards or sheets, yarns, and bulk (Sato, 2010, pp. 30-40). Moreover, it is vital that safety of people in the maintenance and use of buildings. Department of Building and Housing (2010, p.1-26) says there are certain cases that accidents incurred during roof maintenance. Individuals working on roof maintenance account for many deaths that result from falling from height while working. In fact, Fang, Choudhry, & Hinze (2006, pp. 144-145) assert that falls through asbestos cement sheets and roof lights are the major causes of deaths than any other thing. In order to avoid this, it is vital that the maintenance workers plan their work before its commencement. Planning is instrumental in ensuring that work is handled safely, effectively and in time. Therefore, this reduces the chances of delays that might cause the workers to work so fast (Meany, 2008, pp. 193-200). Explicitly, any fall from house roofs inevitably causes severe injuries. The risks involved in this are considerable, no matter short or long work is. There are a number of workers who have died in the process of carrying out a small repair. These falls can happen from holes or gaps in roofs, roof edges, roof lights, and roof fragile (Wood, 2009, pp. 10-15). Additionally, Lee (2001, pp. 1-10) says that there are serious injuries on people from materials thrown or falling from roofs under maintenance. This indicates such accidents do not just occur to roofers, but those people maintaining, demolishing, cleaning and inspecting. These risks are also high because they concern heights. Therefore, safety standards are necessary in order to ensure that people working on the maintenance and use of buildings are safe. According to the Work at Height Regulations, 2005, there is a hierarchy that ought to be used in planning work at height (HSE, 2011, pp. 1-112). From the bottom to the top, the hierarchy outlines that: in case where the workers cannot get rid of a fall, they should employ measures or equipments so as to reduce the distances and effects of a fall should one occur. Secondly, the workers ought to employ work equipment to minimize falls where they must work at height. Lastly, the team should avoid, if they can, working at height. According to Confederation of Construction Products and Services (2009, pp. 4-34), when working in edges of a building, it is significant to provide sufficient to stop a fall occurring. HSE (2011, pp. 1-112) maintains that this entails a major guard rail of 950mm on the edge; a brick and toe board guard where there is possibility of risks. There should also be an appropriate number of intermediary guard rails or other appropriate options. Additionally, EU-OSHA (2004) holds that work platforms should be provided to workers so as to reduce risks. Fall mitigation is also essential in case the other options fail. These include soft landing systems like inflatable air bags and bean bags, and safety nets. It is also vital to ensure safety by stopping falling material, and training of roof workers installation of edge protection, operation of MEWP, erecting tower scaffolds, and manual handling of materials. In the repair and maintenance of floors, it is essential that workers do it with great caution. The maintenance and repairing activities should ensure that the floor covering are preserved; keeping the floor dry; getting rid of loose rugs, broken tiles, mold, dust, and dirt (BRC, 2007, pp. 57-60). Lighting systems also can be dangerous to occupants of buildings if they are not handled well. Loose cables left carelessly in buildings are very risky, especially if there are children around. What is more, gas fitting should also be handled with great care so as to minimize the risk of having spillages. As a result, this will reduce cases of fire outbreaks in buildings. In addition, Parkinson (2005, pp. 30-45) argues that people working on the maintenance of drainage system in buildings should also ensure that there are no spillages. This is because spillages can lead to wet floors which are hazardous to the occupants. Gutters are highly essential in houses can make the soil dump; hence interfering with their foundations. This can, in turn, lead to cracks on both exterior and interior walls. Moreover, Lester (2009, pp. 236-245) says that sloped landscapes around houses should also be handed appropriately so as to reduce weakening of foundations. Besides, Hood and Hood (2009, pp. 319-324) maintain that too much soil moisture around the house can also cause unstable foundation if it is not addressed well. Poor drainage can also lead to oversaturation of soils, termite infestation, sticking windows and doors, insect infestation and allergens and mold (Chanter, 2007, pp 14-20). Safe maintenance of drainage systems in buildings should is achievable through inspection by a professional; sealing wooden and concrete structures; unblocking and cleaning of exterior drains every year; directing runoff water to drainage system; and designing landscapes so as to let water in street drains (Parkinson, 2005, pp. 30-45). Furthermore, Carey (2010, pp. 30-35) posits that repair of windows is highly indispensable in maintaining safety in buildings. Here, it is essential that the maintenance personnel consider proper handling of glass windows. This implies that glass should be fitted well so as to minimize accidents on children and even adults. Redmill and Anderson (2007, pp. 11-18) points out that safety is also maintained in buildings by ensuring that staircases are fixed well and kept dry. This will avoid falls and slips that could be suffered by the occupants. For those that have elevators and escalators and walkways ought to be managed well in order to maintain safety and health. Additionally, Wexler, Gilbert, Hakkinen and Mohapatra (2009, 1186-1188) assert that proper waste disposal is highly indispensable in the maintenance and use of buildings. Consequently, occupants will enjoy safety and strong health in their houses. Chapter 3 Methodology To achieve the objectives of this study employed both primary and secondary data collection methods. This study was based on information that was collected by use of certain methods, which included qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Among the qualitative methods, in-depth one-on-one interviews and focus groups interviews; face-to-face, online and mail surveys were employed in the collection of information. Moreover, the research also adopted quantitative methods like direct field observation, case studies, interviews and questionnaires. With respect to secondary sources of data, the study consulted books, websites, journals, and magazines on house safety in maintenance. There were over hundred questionnaires issued out in the process of data collection. Notably, the study also utilized the sampling procedure in form of simple random sampling. This implies that the population under which the study was carried out was picked randomly. This population consisted of a number of residents in various cities in the United Kingdom; some students in certain schools; and workers in building and construction companies. Apart from randomized sampling technique, the study also adopted stratified sampling procedure. Here, the research team chose Cross River Ministry of Works’ employees so as to help in filling out the questionnaires. Other than questionnaires, the research team booked appointments with certain members of staff in the Ministry for in-depth one-on-one interviews as well as face-face surveys. More so, the team also made door-to-door visits to some households in various parts of the country so as to observe the house conditions and ask questions on research topic. Direct field observations were mostly used in order to obtain information on the topic under study. Besides, secondary data, particularly websites and government regulations were consulted in the collection of data. In the analysis of the gathered information, tables, percentages and averages were employed so as put the study in an explicit perspective. Chapter 4 Results analysis and discussion According to the research findings, it is explicit that people in the United Kingdom are living in averagely-maintained houses. However, there is little attention that people give to the way in which maintenance and use of these houses. Following the study, many people suffer certain health complications as a result of poor management of houses in their residential and working places. Some of these issues include lung cancer and lung inflammation. It was also discovered that asbestos is widely used in most of the residential and working facilities despite its prohibition. Most important, the study demonstrated there is a lot of negligence and ignorance among workers that handle asbestos and other hazardous building materials in the country. Some of the respondents of the study admitted that that they always hear about deaths and accidents that occur as a result of falls from roofs. They held that a majority of maintenance and repairs personnel are involved in such accidents and deaths. This population also maintained that there are frequent accidents, such as, fire outbreaks, slipping, and injuries that are caused by carelessly fixed electric cables, wet and poorly maintained floors, slips from shaky staircases, and injuries or cuts caused by improperly fixed glass windows and doors in the buildings. Following the employment of the secondary data collection methods, it was clear that the government has banned the use of asbestos, yet there was an intensified usage in houses. The government regulations on maintenance and safety of buildings are clear on taking precautions by the occupants and workers in order to uphold safety and good health among them. In addition, this also indicates that most of the houses in the country have been careless in terms of waste disposal systems and drainage systems. As a result, a majority of them have suffered serious injuries, health issues, and deaths. Proposed problems of poor house maintenance systems and sustainability Main causes Frequency Percentage Poor drainage systems 33 22% Use of improper materials in maintenance 60 40% Poor lighting systems 7 4.67% Careless roof maintenance 20 13.33% Poor handling of asbestos 30 20% All the aforementioned 150 100% Proposed causes of deaths in house maintenance and sustainability Key causes Frequency Percentage asbestos 50 25% Falls from roofs 45 22.5% Falling objects 35 17.5% Slipping on stairs and floors 20 10% Building collapsing 15 7.5% Fire breakout 35 17.5% All the aforementioned 200 100% Poor maintenance house maintenance Alternatives Frequency Percentage Yes 100 86.96% No 15 13.04% Total 115 100% Chapter 5 Conclusion and recommendations Sequel to the problem statement, the objectives of the study, and the employment of standardized data collection tools and analysis, it is explicit that there is a great danger that people face in as a result of poor maintenance and use of their houses. Some of the dangers that people are exposed to in house maintenance and usage can occur during roofing, fitting windows, gas systems, lighting systems, floor repairs, cleaning, staircases repairs, drainage systems and water supplies. It is also explicit that poor handling of drainages in houses can pose great health hazards to families due to instability of house foundations, insects and termite infestation, oversaturation of soils and sticking of windows and doors. Besides, use of asbestos is another risk that has caused serious health issues and deaths to many workers in the region. In light of the aforementioned issues, it is recommended that: People handling work at heights, such as, roofs should use the appropriate equipment so as to minimize the risks of falling. Workers at height should ensure place guard rail of 950mm on the edge; brick a brick and toe board guard, and landing equipment, such as, bean bags and nets so as to minimize injuries caused in the process. Floors should be kept dry and clean all the time so as to avoid slipping and infection. Appropriate stair cases should be fixed well in houses to avoid slipping, especially where children are involved. Glass windows should be fitted well to avoid cuts. Gas, water supplies, lighting systems should be fitted well in order to avoid spillages. Drainage systems should be done well to maintain house foundation stability, reduce oversaturation of soil, and discourage termite and insect infestation. Waste disposal systems should be handled properly to avoid disease infections and rodents infestation. References British Retail Consortium, BRC. (2007). British Retail Consortium 2007: [BRC yearbook]. pp. 57-65. http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=fc8CkwyoApAC&pg=PA57&dq=maintaining+safet y+in+uk+houses&hl=en#v=onepage&q=maintaining%20safety%20in%20uk%20houses &f=false Carey, J. (2010). Home maintenance for dummies. Hoboken, N.J: For Dummies. pp. 30-35. Castleman, B. (2005). Asbestos: medical and legal aspects. New York, NY: Aspen Publishers. pp. 799-805. Chanter, B. (2007). Building maintenance management. Oxford Malden, MA: Blackwell. pp. 14- 20. Confederation of Construction Products and Services (CCPS). (2009). Guidelines on use of Glass in Buildings - Human Safety, pp. 4-34. http://www.ccpsindia.com/images/glassdoc.pdf Construction Confederation (2008). House builders health & safety. Northampton: Construction Industry Publications. pp. 3-8. Department of Building and Housing (2010). Owners’ responsibilities to ensure their buildings are safe to use; Guidance on building warrants of fitness and compliance schedules. pp. 1-26. http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Building/Building- Act/building-wof-guidance.pdf European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) (2004) Facts 51: Asbestos in construction, Bilbao. http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/factsheets/51 Fang, D., Choudhry, R.M. & Hinze, J.W. (2006). 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Urban stormwater management in developing countries. London: IWA Pub. pp. 30-45. Redmill, F. & Anderson, T. (2007). The safety of systems: proceedings of the fifteenth Safety- critical Systems Symposium, Bristol, UK, 13-15 February 2007. London, UK: Springer. pp. 11-18. Sato, H. (2010). Management of health risks from environment and food policy and politics of health risk management in five countries: asbestos and BSE. Dordrecht New York, NY: Springer. pp. 30-40. Wexler, P., Gilbert, S.G., Hakkinen, P.J. & Mohapatra, A. (2009). Information resources in toxicology. Amsterdam: Academic/Elsevier. pp. 1186-1188. Wood, B. (2009). Building maintenance. Chichester, U.K. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 10-15. World Trade Organization, WTO. (2004). Dispute settlement reports 2001. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 3517-3520. Read More