Safe Work Method in Building and Construction - Assignment Example

Name: xxxxxxxxxx Course: xxxxxxxxxx Institution: xxxxxxxxxx Title: Building and Construction Date: xxxxxxxxxxxxx Building and Construction Question 1 Building and construction presents potential risks revolving around the contamination of water supplies, pollution and physical damages among many other risk factors. The risks posed depend on factors such as the site of construction, the materials used, the working practices and the cleanness of the personnel involved. For instance in the presented case, a two story house is supposed to be constructed in a site that is facing a primary school on a main road. Moreover, telephone and electricity lines are overhead this construction site. In order for the contractors to ensure safety measures are upheld within and without the vicinities of the construction site, it is imperative to establish and adhere to safe work method statements. Prior to the establishment of safe work method statements it is important to assess the potential risks that are bound to occur in this construction site (Baker 2004). Given the fact that the construction site is located near a primary school on a main road, there are various environmental concerns and risks of hazardous materials involved. As a result, the building contractor will be required to have greater awareness of construction waste disposal and management. Efforts should be directed towards taking precautionary measures in the course of constructing the two storey house so as to minimize the quantity of waste that will end up in land fills. This method will eventually enable the contractors to recuperate, reuse and recycle most of the demolition waste (Harris 2006). Safe work method statements Planning: It is essential for contractors to set up a construction phase plan that is geared towards ensuring that the construction of the two storey house is conducted without posing any safety or health risk to the workers and the people in the surrounding areas. The plan should put into account that the construction site is located next to a primary school on the main road and the telephone and electricity lines are overhead this construction site (Gahlot 2007). Implementation: the execution of the developed plan is the most significant step in the course of this undertaking. Implementation of this plan may also involve the participation and cooperation of between the workers, project managers, contractors and other external parties such as the regional council, electricians and the stakeholders within this community. Reviewing: It is essential for the project managers or the contractors to revise, refine and review the construction strategies from time to time. This will help to ensure that safety measures are adhered to the later and that potential safety or health risks are identified and managed (Levey 2009). Site access: Given the fact that the construction site located next to a primary school on the main road measures to avert unauthorized access to the construction site by children or other unauthorized parties should be taken by fencing or implementing other controls. Site regulations: Contractors should draw up rules or regulations that are geared towards promoting safety. Notification: Formal notifications or notices should be displayed on the site so as to warn motorists, school children and passers by of the impending risks within the constructions site. Question 2 A comprehensive survey should be carried out so as to determine the kinds, extent and the state of hazardous materials that might be emitted during the construction of the two storey house. The safe abatement of all anticipated and concealed hazardous materials will be required to conform to a range of Federal regulations. The most important hazardous materials which will be taken care of include asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), in addition to lead even though other hazardous materials will be analyzed. Due to the fact this construction project is complex running the project smoothly will require optimum risk assessment strategies that are timely and within the planned budget. Judicious scheduling and resource allocation are key factors that should be considered in the course of conducting risk assessments. Since manpower, equipment and construction materials are significant project resources, they will be managed closely. Similarly, the supply and availability of resources should not be overlooked because of regular shortages, labor disputes and the breakdown of construction equipments, competing demands, deferred deliveries and other several related uncertainties (Levitt & Samelson 1993). One of the evident hazards in this construction site is the risk of fire in the event that one of the electricity poles is tampered with or handled inappropriately during the construction of the two storey building. Over the years standards of construction site fire safety have been established by the federal and local governments. These standards prescribe appropriate safeguards particularly for the construction of buildings. The provisions of fire safety in the course of building construction are provided in the Fire brigade Act of 1957. The general contractor is charged with the responsibility of developing a written fire protection plan that comprises of safety precautions and the measures that the contractors have taken to avert the risk of fire (American Iron and Steel Institute 1961). In this case, the recommended control measure of preventing fire hazards in the construction site lies in the purchase of fire protection systems such as stand pipes, fire hydrants, fire alarms systems, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems. The hardware costs of fire protection systems ranges between $10 to $300 per square meter ($30/m 2) however these prices are determined by the kind of systems bought and the location. The prices of other specialty systems may range between $50 to $ 500($100/m2). In addition to the cost of purchase the installation of these fires protection systems accrue labor charges. It is apparent that the use of these systems as a control measure of preventing fire hazards in the construction site is costly. However, as compared to the damages and losses incurred due to fire outbreaks in construction sites the installations of these fires protection systems are inexpensive. It was established that these systems have averaged approximately 78% less damage when installed in building constructions (American Iron and Steel Institute 1961). Other alternative control measures of averting risky fire hazards within the construction site may involve precautionary measures such as adopting precautionary construction practices and documenting safety protocols that are geared towards ensuring that the set fir safety regulations are adhered to (Singh & Hinze 1999). Question 3 OH&S project plan 1 Introduction Project Construction of a two storey house Location Main Road Contractor City Council Project brief manager John Doe Date September 2, 2010 Signature t 2 Identified risks in the site Hazard Impact Proposed control/s Telephone and electricity lines overhead Fire outbreaks Implementing fire safety measures Site located on the main road next to a primary school Unauthorized access Physical damage Fencing and implementing control measures 3 Risk Management Question Does the construction Plan entail provisions for; Findings  Identifying OHS hazards, evaluating risks and developing the necessary risk controls?  Managing OHS issues, illness, emergencies and injuries  Establishing and communicating Site Safety Rules?  Initiating and executing Safe Work Statements in order to minimize OHS risks? Question Do Safe Work Method Statements include; Findings  The manner of providing or completing a process?  The potential risks and hazards controls associated with activities in the construction site.  Use of safe construction equipment?  Compliance with OHS legislation, standards, codes and procedures? 4 Training Question Does the plan incorporate procedures for: Findings  Establishing the training needs of the personnel, management and service providers?  Conducting OHS induction training, refresher training and project training?  Conducting OHS committee and consultative training?  Giving precise training appropriate for helping the personnel in the company to conform to OHS regulations?  Conducting training on strategies of responding to emergencies?  Keeping and maintaining the necessary records revolving around OHS training?  Ensuring that all members of the workforce involved in the project work site have undergone induction according to the provision of the ‘’NSW Code of Practice: OHS Induction Training for Construction Work?” 5 Design Question Does the construction plan include procedures for:  Ensuring design compliance with the enacted legislative provisions?  Procedure of designing and reviewing the set design so as to identify, evaluate and control the potential OHS risks?  Assessing and approving design changes? 6 Examining, testing and servicing Question Does the construction plan incorporate Findings  Evaluation, testing and servicing procedures for the construction. Question Does the construction plan incorporate procedures for: Findings  Keeping and Maintaining inspections, tests and servicing records revolving around the construction project? Question Does the construction plan include procedures for planning and implementing OHS evaluation, testing and servicing procedures Findings  Received products, materials and equipment?  The surrounding construction site environments?  Measures of controlling risks and hazards  Entry and exits points  Protective procedures?  Electricity safety?  Materials and equipment?  General work methods 7 Risk management and corrective strategies Question Does the construction plan include procedures for: Findings  Communicating and investigating injury, illness and other incidents?  Managing incidences brought about by non-compliance to the set regulations.  Quarantining and removal of hazardous substances and materials  Exercising injury management procedures?  Executing corrective strategies?  Keeping and maintaining records on the effectiveness of corrective strategies? Question 4 Establishing the training needs and reviewing communications OH&S issues in construction companies is imperative since it safeguards the well being of personnel in the company and promotes competency. One of the ways of establishing and reviewing communication and training program is through monitoring and managing effective personnel performance. Project managers or leaders should ensure that their projects are carried out effectively and that the involved personnel are competent enough to handle construction tasks (Lingard 2005). In order for this to be actualized project managers or leaders should ensure that: 1) Worker’s conformity to the applicable legislation, policies and regulations should be evaluated regularly. 2) Accurate feedback regarding individual performance or team’s performance should be communicated in a constructive manner. 3) There is constant monitoring of both team performance and individual performance during the construction tasks. 4) Impediments or potential problems affecting the performance of the personnel in the company should be identified and addressed. Workplace guiding principles and procedures should be put into account while addressing these issues (Hughes& Ferrett 2008). Supervision of personnel Supervision of personnel in the company is another strategy that can be used to identify training needs and reviewing communications OH&S issues. This procedure involves organizing and monitoring the staffing levels. Proper supervision of personnel can be conducted through the departmental heads of various departments in the construction company. The departmental heads will be required to keep staffing records in his/her department and ensure they effectively evaluate the personnel in their department without any biasness. It through supervisions that the managers will be able to identify the training needs on OH&S issues in various departments (Clark 1999). In order for effective supervision to be exercised heads of various departments in the company should ensure that: 1) Feedback on the on-going and potential staffing requirements are communicated to the senior construction manager (Gregory 2008). 2) Personnel are assisted when it comes to prioritizing their workload. 3) Personnel in the departments are listed according to the needs of their work and expected peaks. 4) Corrective strategies are executed as required and according to the availability of the personnel. 5) The staffing records and levels are kept within the budget and according to the working policy and processes. 6) The work load of the personnel should be examined regularly. Maintenance of personnel records Personnel records can provide important information on training needs and communications on OH&S issues. It is therefore important for managers to keep and maintain the records of personnel in various departments for future reference. Managers should monitor and handle the entire construction process effectively and communicate the undertakings to the senior manager (Gregory 2008). In order for them to actualize these goals, it is therefore important for managers to ensure that: 1) The system that is used in recording and retrieving workforce and the payment information is monitored and accurately maintained. Moreover, the managers can seek special advice when necessary so as to ensure that the process is correct and efficient. 2) Personnel records are created and maintained according to the company’s guiding principles and procedures. 3) The safety of workers’ records is effectively maintained in accordance with the company’s guidelines and procedures (Construction Confederation 2008). Bibliography American Iron and Steel Institute, 1961, Fire protection through modern building codes: a correlation of factual data and regulatory procedure, American Iron and Steel Institute, California. Baker, K.R., 2004, Introduction to Sequencing and Scheduling, John-Wiley and Sons, New York. Clark, T., 1999, Managing Health and Safety in Building and Construction. Butterworth Heinemann, New York. Construction Confederation, 2008, House builder’s health & safety manual 2008, Construction Industry Pubs, New York. Gahlot, P., 2007, Construction Planning and Management, New Age International, Toronto. Gregory T., 2008, Effective Work Breakdown Structures. The Project Management Essential Library Series, Sage, London. Harris, F., 2006, Modern construction management, Edition6, Wiley-Blackwell, London. Hughes, P. & Ferrett, E., 2008, Introduction to Health and Safety in Construction: The Handbook for Construction Professionals and Students on NEBOSH and Other Construction Courses, Elsevier, New York. Levey, M., 2009, Construction process planning and management: an owner's guide to successful projects, Butterworth-Heinemann, New York. Levitt, E. & Samelson, N., 1993, Construction safety management, John Wiley and Sons, New York. Lingard, H., 2005, Occupational health and safety in construction project management, Taylor & Francis, New York. Singh, A.& Hinze, J., 1999, Implementation of safety and health on construction sites: proceedings of the Second International Conference of CIB Working Commission W99, Honolulu, Hawaii, 24-27 March 1999, Taylor & Francis, New York. Read More