Identification of Safety and Health Hazards about the Demolition of Chandler Building - Case Study Example

lth аnd Sаfеty Маnаgеmеnt Student Name: Student ID: Instructor Name: Date of Submission: 1. Introduction Every buinding is designed to last for long time. The existence for a building after the service life period is very dangerous to its surrounding buildings and occupants (HSE, 2012). The UK’s building Acts has provisions that enable municipalities to control building demolitions works to ensure adjoining buildings are made good on completion of demolition and the protection of public safety (Bird and Germain, 2008). Therefore, a notice of demolition of an existing building should be issued that require certain demolition works to be carried out to achieve these aims (HSE, 2012). This report is about the demolition of Chandler building, that will make way for new civil engineering structural laboratory for Prestion University. This demolition report is about health and safety concerns that will be association with the with this demolition exercise. This report will divided into three main parts (OHSAS, 2010). The first, part will identify the safety and health hazards that will be associated with the demolition project. In this section, associated risks such as site mobilization, site preparations and mode of operations that will be used for this demolition work will be taken into consideration (HSE, 2012). The second part of the report, will discuss the types of potential incidents and accidents that may be faced by the parties in the demolition work (Heinrich, 2010). The third part of the report, will evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed health and safety strategies that will be employed on this project and appropriate recommendations will be made to the BoD on the health and safety findings about the project. 2. Identification of safety and health hazards Building demolition work is usually considered to be a high risk construction work and is characterised by a range of hazardous working environments. In most cases, when OSHA compliance Safety and Health standards are violated may will lead up to workplace accidents. Demolition work involves many of the hazards that are associated with building and construction (OHSAS, 2010). However, demolition work involves additional risks due to factors which makes building demotion to be dangenous (Katsakiori, Sakellaropoulos and Manatakis, 2009). These risks may include: unknown weakness or strengths of construction materials, such as post-tensioned conctete; Approved or unapproed modifications that altered the original design of the building; Changes from the building structure’s design that was introduced during the building construction; Construction materials that have been hidden with the building structural members, such as asbestos, lead, silica and other heavy metals or chemicals requiring special material handling; and Risks created by the demolition methods employed at the demolition site. 2.1 Hazards Hazards that are associated with building demolition work include: Excessive or poor loading on floors The insability of the building. Loading against the building walls Glass fragmentation Unprotected operings Obstructed site access Adverse weather conditions The discontinuation of services such as electricity The presence of asbestos. 2.2 Risks Demolitions sites are dangerous workplace environment because they involves high risk activities.On average one worker is killded each week in the UK (OHSAS, 2010). The construction sector has the highest percentage of work related injuries presenting to emergency departments than any other sector with more than 1 in 6 construction staff having some kind of workplace injury (Bird and Germain, 2008). Some possible health effects and injuries include: Fractures, strains, sprains as a result of a fall from height. Crush injuries and contusions caused by falling debries or objects. Asbestos related disease Injuries resulting from the use of eplosives. Demolition Method The buidlng demolition sequence will be determined mainly by things like the type of location, construction, and demolition method used (HSE, 2012). This demolition project will use a combination of demolition methods. Manual demolition Manual demolition will include any method where hand tools such as sledge hammer, jackhammers and picks are used. Manual demolition can present a lot of risk during demoltion activities. Roofs: it will not be pratical to demolish the roof of the building using mechanical means. Therefore, roof trussles will be removed using safe work platforms (Heinrich, 2010). The risk that can occur from manual demolition is falls of objects that can hurt people below or falls of persons. Walls: potential risk can occur when the unstable walls collapsing or injuring workers at the site. Chemicals: asbestos, structural integrity issues and hazardous materials if they are not handled properly may cause contamination of the soil or poison the workers at the site (Katsakiori et el, 2009). To some extend this may cause death to workers. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): if important chemical measures are not put in place, workers at the site might be pre-exposed to Polychlorinated biphenyls when cleaning up leaks and spills or dismantilling electrical capacitors and transformers (OHSAS, 2010). Therefore, an appropriate controls should be implemented when handling damaged capacitors to ensure any spillage does not contact workers at the site. Discuss the type of potential accidents and incidents Demolition his a higly dangeour task. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015, there were 500 accident due to the demolition site incidents, accounting for more than 20 per cent of all on the job injuries that year (HSE, 2012). Additionally, this stastistics also shows that five in every 500 construction employees is non-fatally injured on the job yearly. The staggering number of accidents in demolition sites reflect a high-risk workplace environment. Sorruounding by demolition tools, materials, and demolition machinery (OHSAS, 2010). Demolition workers are faced with risks and hazards at any given time (Katsakiori et el, 2009). Some of the most common types of demolition incidents include site falls, scaffolding accidents, crate accidents, electrical accidents, demolition workers being run-over by operating equipment, welding accidents, fires and explosion accidents (Heinrich, 2010) Each of these incidents can be equally deadly and equally tragic. Falls Demolition workers are expected to work at an heights, on ladders and scaffolding, on roofs and in windows. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that nearly 500 workers are killed from demolition sites while on the job. Of these workers, over 200 deaths will result from site demolition falls (Katsakiori et el, 2009). Many of the injuries or deaths that result from demolition site falls should have been prevented. Although crane operators are highly trained to control the machinery that can accomplish difficult tasks. Unfortunately, there are situations when the used of these machines results in injury or even death (Bird and Germain, 2008). In most cases operators can fall great heights from the crane, and alternatvely these machins can lose balance and topple to the construction sites, resulting in the injuries or death of many demolition workers (Katsakiori et el, 2009). In 2014, there were over 140 crane falls (HSE, 2012). In addition, crane falls can arise from other factors such as high winds, electrocution, lightining, defective crates, falls, and other accidents associated with demolition at heights. Falling materials, debris or objects Falling objects or debris have potential to hit or fall onto workers or people at the demolition site or adjoining areas if safety precaustion is not taken (Heinrich, 2010). Adjoining areas could include a road, public footpath, the ard or square of a dwelling or other building beside a demolition site (Katsakiori et el, 2009). Material, equipment debris or tools that can be released or fall upwards or sideways are also considered falling debris or objects. Workers in the demolition site are at risk from falling debris, objects or materials any time they are under where the overhead work is being carried out. The injuries sustained from falling materials or debries may range from minor cuts and scrapers to blindness, nech and back injuries, head injuries, concussions, loss ability or even death (Heinrich, 2010). In most cased, demolition accidentsthat involves falling objects can occur due to negligence (Katsakiori et el, 2009). About 20 per cent of accidents at demolition sites were results of workers being strucl by debries and objects. OSHA reports that approximately 90 workers being killed from falling objects or debris. Many workers have also been killed by “caught in-between” accidents, were demolition workers died after being caught between two objects. Construction materials, tools, flying debries frpm power tools, heavy equipment load and structural collapses that fall are some of the common types of incidents involving falling debris and objectes on demolition sites. These accidents in some cases have led to serous traumatic brain injuries or head injuries, lacerations or other severe injuries (Katsakiori et el, 2009). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports the most common violation of federal regulations involves protection from falls (Bird and Germain, 2008). Communication devices or devices to warn workers at the sites of intended hazards or risk were second most common violation found by the the authority. Inadequate safety on scaffolding complete the top-three most common violations, reports OSHA. Demolition workers are not only individuals who are at a risk of being struck by falling objects or debris at a demolition site (HSE, 2012). Because this demolition building is near a pedestrian walkway, pedestrian could be put in danger of being hit by falling debris or tools that may be accidentially dropped during the demolition. Electrocution Electrocution is the third most common cause of accident in demolition site, which resulted in over 100 deaths in 2014. This number was a 9 per cent of total accidents or fatalities at the demolition sites (Heinrich, 2010). Because demolition work often includes starting from above to the ground. As demolition going along, there are many things that need electricity to work. For this reason, electrical incidents are commonplace in the demolition site (OHSAS, 2010). However, when electricity goes wrong, demolition workers are often injured or killed instantly. According to OSHA, more than 1000 demolition workers have been killed in the last ten years in accidents caused by electrocution (Katsakiori et el, 2009). Electrical accidents are the third leading cause of accidents amongst demolition workers and nearly a quarter of the deaths caused by electrocution were on the demolition site jobs. Demolition workers can be electrocuted through being in contact with overhead power lines; when workers come into contact with live wires or transformers; and and the most common type of electrocution is when contact is made with electrical currents while working with machinery, tools, and other appliances. Outside of death due to electrocution, there are are other effects to those workers who suffer electrocution that do not prove fatal. Demolition workers coming into contact with live wires while on the demolition site have seriously injured with heart stoppage, electrical burns, internal burns and brain damage. In many cases it requires the long term hospitalization and treatment of specialists or rehabilitation service for the workers who have been electrocuted. Vibrating tools/Excessive noise hazards Vibrating tools and noise can be a cause of concern whilst working in the demolition site as excessive noise from drilling equipment can cause hearing problem or loss such as tinnitus (HSE, 2012). Therefore, it is the duty of the contructor to check for the excessive noise and where it is possible noise in the demolition site should be removed or the length of time the workers are exposed to noise are reduced (Heinrich, 2010). While vibrations from power equipment can cause tendon and nerve damage to the workers hands, wrists and arms which if experienced can be debilitating with total loss of hand grip strength. Other hazards Explosion and fire are often caused by unfinished electrical work and plumbing. While demolition workers sometimes work for long hours and may are very tired while they are on the demolition task, which can lead to incidents or accidents (OHSAS, 2010). The combination of heavy machinery and long hours can often prove to be deadly. Lastly, Loading vehicle accidents are also common causes of accidents on the demolition sites (HSE, 2012). But one leading cause of injuries among demolition workers are trenches that are dug during the demolition, and will sometimes collapse, bringing vehicles and machinery down on top of the injured demolition workers. Health and Safety Strategy An individual undertaking demolition works must manage and prevent risk that are associated with demolition works (HSE, 2012). In order to manage demolition hazards, a duty holder must: 1) eliminate the risk; 2) identify foreseeable accidents that could arise; 3) if its not practicable to eliminate the accident –minimise the accidents; and lastly, implement control measure to that the site is a risk an accident free. The health and safety strategies that will be implemented in the demolition site location will include the following measures: Because the nature of work will involves working from heights such as scaffolds, ladders, and roof. Therefore, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the task is done safely (Katsakiori et el 2009). The planning will include safety equipment, and all necessary equipments and tools that are required at the demolition site will be provided to the workers (HSE, 2012). For example, in roof removal, the plan will involves thinking about different fall hazards, such as skylight and leading edges, then fall protection that is suitable to the work such such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) will be provided to the workers. Workers who are working from a height are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall (Katsakiori et el 2009). To protect these workers, fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear will be provided to the workers. To prevent workers from hit by falling or flying objects workers at the demolition sites will be required to wear hard helmets that are appropriate to hazards present at the site; workers will not be required to work beneath or near cranes, scaffolds and other equipment, tools and structures that could fall on the workers (Bird and Germain, 2008); Material will be stacked to prevent sliding, falling or collapsing (HSE, 2012); Toeboards, debris nets, screens, guardrails, catch platforms or canopies to catch flying objects will be installed at the demolition site (Katsakiori et el 2009); Never exceed the load ratings of equipment like cranes and hoists (Bird and Germain, 2008); Never move under loads that are being transported or moved; and lastly, barricades on hazards will be placed in addition to warning signs. Before demolition work begins, all electrical powers to the building will be disconnected in order to prevent workers being electrocuted. Barriers will be placed to prevent vehicles carrying the debries from causing accidents in the demolition site. And finally, workers will provided with noise preventing helmets to prevent noise pollution (Katsakiori et el 2009). Recommendation Use eye protectors for eye protection ─ do not put it on your head or hang it on your neck Wear ear protectors in areas with high noise levels. Remember to wear a mask when working in a dusty environment. Wear gloves when handling or contacting chemicals. Wear eye and ear protectors whenever necessary. Wear a safety harness and secure it to a safe anchorage point when working at height. A bamboo scaffold is not a safe anchorage point, so do not fasten the safety harness to it. Wear a safety helmet on the demolition site. Avoid manual handling operations as far as possible to minimize the risk of injury. Conclusion Protecting workers and the public from accidents can reduce administrative cost and loss cost in handing tese types of unnecessary claims. Therefore, the BoD should put in place measures that will prevent or minimize accidents and injuries that will result from trips, slips and resultant falls. Raising awareness and educating our workforce to control STF hazards such as spills, cords, scrap,and materials, in walkways, trashy scaffolding, etc. is part of a task well done and helps promote a safe at the demolition site. Lastly, a plan should be developed for controlling slip, trip, and fall exposures, implement the plan, work through the bumps and count the success on your bottom line References Bird, F and Germain, G., A new horizon in accident prevention and cost improvement, New York, 2008. OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Requirements Standard, 2010, http://www.ohsas-18001-occupational-health-and-safety.com HSE – Health and Safety Executive, Investigating accidents and incidents. A workbook for employers, unions, safety representatives and safety professionals, UK, 2012. Heinrich, H., Industrial Accident Prevention, fourth edition, New York, 1959, first edition, 2010.. Katsakiori, P., Sakellaropoulos, G., Manatakis, E., Towards and evaluation of accident investigation methods in terms of their alignment with accident causation models, Safety Science, vol. 47, 2009, pp. 1007-15. Read More