Health and Safety Management - Essay Example

?Health & Safety and Risk Assessment 4 BU 022 ASSIGNMENT NO Safety Method ment [Risk Assessment] Submitted to Mike Gallanagh Safety Method Statement [Risk Assessment] The construction industry is currently being recognized as a major economic force. It is also one of the most hazardous industries. Construction activities including excavation, construction, structure alteration, renovation, repair, maintenance, demolition, erection and dismantling of prefabricated buildings are incessant phenomenon and basic human need. These activities are associated with development of industries, installation, organization etc. Naturally large number of skilled and unskilled manpower is engaged for successful completion of these projects. It has been observed with concern that large number of accidents of different types and intensities frequently occurs during different construction activities causing personal injury or property damage. Blake defines accident ‘as any assurance that interrupts or interferes with the orderly progress of the project’. The accidents are direct result of unsafe activities and conditions both of which can be controlled by health and safety management. Unsafe activities involve working without authority, failure to warn of danger, leaving equipment in dangerous condition, using defective equipment etc. Unsafe conditions involve inadequate or missing guard, defective tools and machinery, inadequate fire fighting, excessive noise etc. An accident prevention programme is aimed to reduce the number of accidents and there by the cost of construction. From the observation and analysis it has been seen that 85 to 95% of accidents are prevent able. It is not just a matter of setting up a list of rules and making safety inspection, although both of these have their place. We need a system for managing health and safety which meets the needs of project and fulfills legal requirements. Objectives of Health and Safety Management. The perceived objectives of the health and safety management for accident prevention are as under:- 1. To reduce the chances of loss of human life. 2. To reduce the temporary and permanent injuries to work force employed. 3. To avoid adoption of unsafe practices during all phases/ activities. 4. To avoid loss of materials resulting from accidents. Project Identification. A ware house was constructed for the storage of chemicals. The project involves design, excavation for basement, digging of foundations, scaffolding and form work for roof slab. The project was completed in six months and we will discuss the health and safety issues along with risk management during all activities. Considerations and Decisions of the Architect/Designer. At the onset of design stage or planning to begin work, a comprehensive health and safety plan for the project should be formalized and set out in a health and safety plan. Following are the salient aspects need to be addressed by the designer. 1. The project should be well designed and meeting standard engineering and environmental requirement of the area by the competent designers. 2. Principles of structural design along with standard code practices are adhered while designing with minimum risk. 3. Waste management for the debris likely to encounter during construction must be worked out in design stage. 4. Environmental factors like wind, cold, snow and rain should be considered while designing the structure. 5. Adequate fire arrangement in design should be incorporated. 6. Cross checking of design by an independent party. 7. Design must ensure safety during construction and maintenance afterwards. Hazard Identification. These are danger or potential danger likely to occur during any phase of project. The Maximum hazard identification levels were found to be 0.899 (89.9%) for a construction project within the nuclear industry. Investigation into hazard identification levels have been initially targeted on three different industry sectors i.e. UK rail, nuclear, and general construction. Likely hazard during identified project are enlisted below. 1. Physical Injury. The risk of physical injury or physical injury hazard. The agents to the above mention hazard are normally associated with process of works or equipment used and climatic conditions such as scaffolds, power access equipment and manual handling, ladder, roof work, plant and machinery, excavation, etc. Hazard that has risk of physical injury can cause direct injury to our worker at site and if severe can cause death. 2. The risk of ill health or health hazard. Health hazards in construction work may be grouped under chemical, physical and biological hazards. However, hazard that has risk of ill health can only be notified after long term of period and shall cause sickness or death after certain period of time. In order to ensure a safe and conducive working condition there are three basic steps that should be taken namely identifying the hazard, assessing the risk and controlling the risk? 3. Main hazards. which were identified through the project namely scaffold, power access equipment, ladder, roof work, manual handling, plant and machinery, excavation, demolition, fire and emergency, hazardous substances, noise, protective clothing and protecting the public. Assessment of the Risk. Risk is pervasive. It is a universal experience and cannot be escaped. A royal society (1991) reports suggest that ‘Risk is the probability that an adverse event occurs during a stated period of time’. A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures”. Following four aspects should be considered while dealing with Risk. 1. The probability that an event will occur 2. The event and its nature 3. The consequence of that event 4. The period of exposure to the event (and to its consequences if that is also relevant). The following five steps amply elaborate the risk assessment. 1. Identify the hazards. 2. Decide who might be harmed and how. 3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions. 4. Record your findings and implement them. 5. Review your assessment and update if necessary. In the identified project the potential hazards assessed were following. 1. During Excavation. The verification of underground installation such as sewer, gas, pipes, water pipes and other public utilities could not be done due to non availability of data. 2. Falling while working of scaffolds. Scaffold was identified as one of the main hazards at construction site. Checklist of hazards regarding scaffold works at site include items such as competence person, access, condition of elements, ties and working platform, guard rail, toe boards, signage and inspection. 3. Power Access Equipment. Hazard in association with power access equipment identified include competence person, skill of operator, equipment security, guard rail, barrier and power supply 4. Manual Handling. Hazard in association with manual handling was identified as risk of injuries due to manual handling. 5. Fire and Emergency. Fire and emergency were detected as one of the most common hazards at construction site. This hazard to be one of the great exposure to the workers at construction site. Identification of Person at Risk. The persons identified for risk of harms are:- 1. Construction trades, labourers, operatives, visitors, general public are the individual at risk. 2. Identify likely hazard for each group, e.g. labourer delivering materials, bricklayer on scaffold. 3. Special consideration for particular groups i.e. new and young, peoples with disability. 4. Consider Users and Maintenance staff, e.g. design of cleaning systems Control of Risk. In order to control risk following measures were adopted. 1. Excavation. a. Before excavation begins on site the suitability of ground was verified by the competent person. b. To prevent damage and ensure safety before an excavation was started, gas, water, electrical and other public utilities were shut off or disconnected. c. Safe means of access and agrees were provided to every place where persons are employed in excavation. 2. Scaffold. a. Vertical or slightly including forward wooden pole scaffolds were used. b. Pole scaffolds that are tied to the building were braced diagonally from top to bottom over the whole length. c. The bracing of single ladder scaffolds were securely fastened to scaffolds at every crossing point. d. Bracket scaffolds were only be used by workers such as carpenters, electricians and painters who do not require heavy equipment or material. 3. Fire safety. a. Suitable and sufficient fire extinguishing equipment was employed. b. An adequate water supply at ample pressure was maintained at site. c. All supervisors and a sufficient number of workers were trained in the use of fire extinguishing equipment. d. Persons trained to use fire extinguishing equipment were made readily available during all working period. e. Fire extinguishing equipment were inspected at suitable intervals. Method Statement. A work method statement, sometimes called a "safe system of work", is a document that details the way a work task or process is to be completed. The method statement should outline the hazards involved and include a step by step guide on how to do the job safely. The method statement must also detail which control measures have been introduced to ensure the safety of anyone who is affected by the task or process. Method Statement for the identified project at the end. Proposal Clients should create an environment through all stages of the project that delivers excellence in health and safety performance. There are good business and ethical reasons to do so during the construction process and afterwards during operational use by their employees or members of the public. There are also legal requirements. Clients should set requirements for healthy, safe working conditions and facilities on construction sites, so as to attract and retain a high quality workforce, on whom the quality of the finished product is largely dependent make health and safety of their customers, staff and everyone they work with, or for, a business priority when commissioning construction select supply teams with demonstrable commitment to health and safety use integrated project teams to ensure the effective contribution of the entire supply chain to delivering a safe site and a facility that is safe to operate and maintain. Contractor Construction World Name: Ali Address: 34 Station Road Tel: +744561455 E-mail: Project Name Ware House Construction Description of the Task/Activity Site Address/Location: 23 Milton Kynnes Start Date/Time: 18 Jun 2010 Finish Date/Time 23 Dec 2010 Personnel Involved Name Role/Trade Alex Site supervisor Janes Mason Richard Mason Sam Burton Mason Styris Labour Jaqueline Labour seethio Labour Site Supervisor: Mr James Smith Tel: +4412342342 Safety Officer Mr Edward Hope Tel: +44324313312 Key Plant & Tools (Attach Certification) Dozer Komatsu, wheel Grader Key Materials Bricks, Cement, Steel all grades Other Essential Equipment: (i.e. access platforms/winches/ladders, etc) Ladder 15 ft, Winches Specific Identified Residual Hazards: (or refer to the task specific risk assessment(s)) Excavation Hazards Scaffolding Power lines Fire Manual Handling Specific Staff Training F Sequence of Operations: (include sketches if required) 1. Clearance of site 2. Excavation 3. Brick work 4. Scaffolding 5. Roof form work 6. Pouring of slab 7. Removal of form work 8. Finish works 9. Electric accessories installation 10. wood work including doors windows ets (if none, state none) Method of Access and Egress to the work area: (i.e. Ladders/MEWPS/Scaffold/Trestles/Step Ladder, etc) Ladder and scaffolds Fall Protection Measures: (Where work at height cannot be eliminated – consider both Personnel & Materials) (i.e. Guard Rails/Toe Boards/Brick Guard/Safety Harnesses/Exclusion Zones, etc.) Guards rails Firm foot hold area Hazardous Substances: (Attach COSSH if required) Applicable: Very Toxic Harmful/ Irritant Corrosive Dangerous For the environment Oxidising Highly flammable Explosives No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Storage Arrangements: available Details of Permits to Work: SWL’s: (Detail any limits on the loadings applicable to temporary plant/equipment or fixed elements of the structure where the work is taking place) Required Personnel Protective Equipment: Safety Boots Hard Hats Safety Gloves Hearing Protection Eye Protection Respiratory Protection Other: 1. Hi-Viz 2. Coveralls 3. Emergency Procedures: First Aid Facilities: Name of On-Site First Aider: Dr janny First Aid Box Location: Near store in the administration office Location of Nearest Hospital: Sunset medical center Welfare Requirements Food provision at site Services to be supplied by Others Nil Other information & Comments All work will be undertaken by qualified competent persons with experience of the type of work described above, and in all cases in full accordance with safety procedures specified in the companies health and safety Policy. Prepared by: Austin Position: project Supervisor Date: !8 Jun 2010 Reviewed by: Position: Date: Read More