Environment and Safety - Case Study Example

The Environment and Safety The Environment The first activity that takes place in a project is the survey of the area where it is intended and then it’s the design of structure that follows next. So the initial requirement to start up is the detailed map of the areas which will show the exact location and attributes of the site before construction. These attributes include the type of land and its usage at the moment and where can we start the project. The access to the site and what kind of vehicles can approach it. Then it is highly advisable that the design engineer must have a site visit where he must observe the environment with a greater depth because his proposed structure will have an environmental impact at the end of the day and in order to reduce that impact he must study the surroundings. This includes the type of vegetation in the area, the animal that live around and other structures that are close to the perspective construction site. As a design engineer I will find a location along the river banks where the land is comparatively clear and there are no trees. This will be a good location because no trees are to be cut, if there is no such site available choose the areas having least no of trees and then it is suggested that if one tree falls down, at least 5 of such new should be planted in the near vicinity. Then before cutting the tree special care should be given to shift the birds nest and other animal residing near the tree. Then comes the wood with which we are going to construct the bridge, in this what a responsible design engineer can do is that he can instruct the client to dictate the contractor to use the wood which is made from the wood of farmed trees. Another environmental issue that will arise is the production of waste during the excavation process and then during the construction it self. A good designer would do two things about it, firstly he will design the components that are available readymade from the market and you just have to fix them together this will reduce the waste production at the site. Secondly it is the job of the design consultant to draft the contract document and in which he can make the contractor contractually bound to effectively manage the waste and a suitable dump site is selected after consensus of both the parties. The site should be under a repetitive cycle of clearance and cleaning. Further more as a design engineer I can use the ready mix concrete for the construction of abutment to safeguard the environment; this is proposed to avoid the batching of concrete on site which will result into extra waste and dust. A different type pollution that damage on the environment is the noise pollution that the inconvenience and disturbance that is caused by the machinery and construction process this will have an adverse effect on the surrounding especially on the schools and its activities. This problem can be solved by cooperation of the contractor that he is limited to carry on the main activities in the second shift of the day which is in the evening. Another solution can be that the holidays in school which are Saturday and Sunday can be declared as the working day on the construction site and any other two days as holidays for the worker. Consequently by the application of these conditions there disturbance to the surrounding facilities can be reduced. Then as a design engineer I anticipate that movement of the machinery to the exact location of the bridge will through the parks and vegetation as it is clearly evident from the aerial view that there is no direct access to the proposed location of the bridge. Hence due to the movement of the machinery in these landscapes will result into scarping and damage to grass and vegetation. So it is proposed that a certain temporary road or passage should be made in the initial stage of the project and all traffic use this for movement and then when the construction is complete then this temporary passage is replaced with a bed of grass and plantation should be used to cover it up and restore the natural beauty of the area. Construction Safety When comparing the labour of other industries with construction industry we have seen through statistical studies that it is the worst when it comes to the issues such as safety and health. HSE reported that about 42 workers died only in UK this year and also reported that it was a figure that is 32 % lower than the one last year and this have clearly shown a positive improvement. There are many bodies and organisation that work and formulate codes which assign jobs to each parties of the construction project. Which include the client, consultant and the contractors. One of the most prominent bodies that has worked on the flaring issue of safety and health is Health and Safety executives (HSE) and they have drafted a document which is code of practice for Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. This has really been successful in cater the issues and provide a general outline of jobs of every one involved in the construction process. According to its Regulation # 22(2) , 13(4)(a) and # 19 tells the relationship between the education and awareness of labour and the protection from the possible hazards and risks involved. It dictates the contractor to inform and give instruction to its labour about the health and safety issues of the site before the start of construction. Then the code instructs the contractor to provide its labour with the right instruments and safety kits which include gloves, long shoes, helmet and jackets with clamps. In addition if there is any welding or cutting of wood then goggles should be used. It is also advisable to use mechanical hammers rather than the traditional hand hammers because this will reduce the risks of slipping nails and damage of thumbs. As we are aware of the fact that the construction is on the river and there is a possibility although very slightest but the danger exists so to eliminate this HSE code of practice regulation # 35 dictates the measures that should be taken for instance the drowning prevention equipment such as gas tubes should be available on site. Then it is the responsibility of the designer to select the most suitable and strong material for construction. In addition the designer must keep a certain factor of safety for the structure and the components should be connected with the best possible arrangement and materials. To summarize this it is the job of the designer to design the best structure which can easily sustain the expected loading and the user’s safety should not be compromised at any cost. Then it is the job of the designer to visit the construction site several times during the construction and assure that all safety procedures are followed and to do an environmental impact assessment of the structure and the surrounding. It is also done so to eliminate any environmental issue at its initial stage which will improve the sustainability of structures. The place where this project is intended is a public place and this needs a lot of concern because it poses a danger to the lives of the trespasser which can be school children in this case. So before starting the construction the area should be access controlled by the use of fencing, barriers and guard rails. Then the use of sign boards and instruction plates is also important to inform any pedestrians that pass. The regulation # 4, 5, 6 of the Code of practice orders the contractor to make controlled access to the site and to make alternative paths for both the pedestrian and the vehicles. Then later in the Regulation # 36 and 37 tells us the how to deal with the issues of traffic control and then what kind of vehicles are to be used. It says that a certain vehicle should observe a speed limit when entering the premises and no unauthorized vehicle access to site should take place. For the pedestrian and animal passing from the site at night can be cause of injury to them and to prevent that good effective lighting system should be used at night to guide the trespassers this aspect is covered in the code’s regulation # 44. The excavated pits should be filled as soon as possible with the suitable material. Then there is another danger that is present is the fire and no fire should be used for heating purpose. The regulation #38 and later 41 dictates the contractors responsibility towards prevention of fire and then how to fight it, it is advised that a certain amount of water along with the fire extinguishers be present at site on all times. It should be of prime importance that problems are eliminated with just prevention, but at times situation are created where thing go beyond the control and for that we should be prepared and we should have a damage control strategy. If some one gets injured on site during the construction process he should be given treatment right that instance. For this a first aid box equipped with all kinds of drugs and collars should be available at site, in addition a HSE inspector should also be appointed at site along the crew to face situations like this. If the injury is minor then using the personal transport and if the injury is severe then ambulance should be called and the patient should be transferred to the hospital in minimum time possible. Then the site management should maintain a record of all the medical record and blood groups of the workers. The CDM, code of practice regulation # 39 states the emergency procedures that are to be followed in such conditions. These remedies should be employed on site so that the safety and health of every one is assured and the stronger the enforcement of such clauses will be the lesser would be the hazards associated with it, hence reducing the risks involved. We should keep on revising these systems and regulation and improve its execution so that we can achieve the goal of nil fatalities. References 1. Health and Safety Executive. (.). Health and safety in the construction industry. Available: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/. Last accessed 16/11/2010. 2. netregs. (.). Environmental impacts of construction businesses. Available: http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/construction/default.aspx. Last accessed 15-11-2010. 3. Health and Safety Executive (2007). Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 Approved Code of Practice. UK: Crown copyright. 1-107. 4. HSE. (2009/10). Fatal injury statistics. Available:http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm . Last accessed 16/11/2010 5. Health and Safety Executive (2007). Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 Approved Code of Practice. UK: Crown copyright. 6. Read More