Health and Safety Regulations in the Construction Industry - Literature review Example

HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS by Student’s Name Code + Course Name Professor University City/State Date Health and Safety Regulations Introduction As the construction industry continues to grow, so it does become necessary to ensure that contractors and other stakeholders observe the building health and safety regulations. According to the Health and Safety Report on Great Britain (HSE) (2014, p.1), the country has witnessed a decline in the number of fatal injuries over the last forty years. This figure demonstrates the impact of health and safety regulation sin the construction industry. Although there has been a substantial decrease in rates of injuries over the past 40 years, still 31% of fatal injuries are attributed the construction industry (Health and Safety in Great Britain 2014, p. 2). The occurrence of injuries despite the major achievements is an indication of the hazards and risks found in the construction industry. Renovation works are normally associated with different types of hazards and risks. Over the years, the government has addressed health related issues by legislating appropriate laws. For instance, the Control of Substances hazardous to health regulations 2002 (COSHH) is a set of laws that seeks to protect construction workers from hazardous substances that they meet in the course of the work. COSHH is just one of the many laws that will be discussed in this paper as it attempts to identify some of the hazards associated with the Swansea renovation project. In addition, a risk assessment will be conducted. Hazard Identification According to HSE (2014, Para 1), falls continue to be one of the most common types of injuries at construction sites. The regulator receives about 4000 reports on major injuries that result from falls (HSE 2014, para.1). This has led the body to ensure that there is stricter implantation of relevant laws in order to reduce these numbers. The CDM 2007 Regulations outlines how contractors and employers ought to handle health and safety issues at construction sites. The laws offer guidance on the measures that can be taken to prevent physical hazards such as falls. It outlines site rules and inductions in order to ensure the safety of the persons at the site. At the Swansea site, the workers are likely to encounter falls and trips at different stages of the construction. One of these stages may be roofing. The erection of steel, placing and bracing of roof trusses are some of the activities that could result in a fall if there are no measures or plans to prevent such an accident. Since the workers will be working at high heights it is important that the platforms and cradles are properly installed to avoid accidents. The regulations state that the contractors should ensure that such facilities are installed by competent persons. In addition, they should be tested before use in order to avoid any accidents. According to the Health and Safety Executive (2014, para.1) asbestos is responsible for 500 deaths annually. The material was common in many buildings until 1999 when its use was banned. The decision was informed by research findings that had shown that the exposure to the material led to asbestos related illnesses such as lung cancer, pleural thickening, and mesothelioma among others. One of the reasons why it is crucial to protect workers from this substance lies in the fact that it takes a long time for symptoms to manifest. Hence, young construction workers are likely to be affected than the older ones. Tweedy (2014, p.170) notes that most the buildings constructed in the fifties contain high amounts of asbestos thus; most of the buildings and the general environment contains this harmful substance. During the demolitions, the workers are likely to be exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers. Therefore, this endangers the health of the workers at the site. To address this issue, HSE has put in place guidelines and regulations to protect employees. According to HSE guidelines, persons coming into contact with asbestos are supposed to wear protective garments such as overalls, gloves, and appropriate foot wear. In addition, the workers need to be trained on the use of protective equipment as well as how to dispose asbestos waste (HSE 2012, p.2). Although COSHH do not directly apply to asbestos since it has it regulations it acts as a guide for other hazardous substances. The regulations state that the management team is expected to formulate measures that prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances. Employers are expected to conduct and a health risk assessment of the hazardous substances found within the construction site. It is mandatory that the construction management teams constantly monitors hazardous substances. These measures are aimed at protecting the workers form the health issues associated with asbestos. Construction workers at the site are exposed to chemical hazards such as dust, fibers, and fumes among others. Some of the substances have been known to be carcinogenic hence, compromising the safety of the employees. For instance, welders workings are the site are likely to suffer from bronchitis while masons are likely to experience skin allergies due to exposure to cement. However, the most severe form of chemical hazard that they are likely to encounter is lead poisoning. HSE notes that working with lead predisposes individuals to different health risks. Hence, the regulator points out that the Control of Lead at Work regulations was created in order to guide both employers and employees on how to handle the substance. Hornobostel (2008, p.488) notes that lead-coated materials are common in construction. Roofing material may be coated in lead. Substances such as litharge which is used as an adhesive when mixed with glycerin is mainly consist of lead oxide. Lead is also used in paint work. This is because lead coatings make good surfaces for oil paints. Also, when incorporated in paint it offers long-lasting protection to both steel and iron. This extensive use of lead in construction means that the workers at Swansea site are likely to encounter lead during the construction process. COSHH regulations state that it is important for employers to conduct risk assessments. In addition, they are expected to introduce control measures as well as monitoring in order to ensure that the exposure level is below the required limits. Moreover, employees are expected to be empowered with information. Therefore, employers should ensure that the employees are trained and instructed on how to handle hazardous substances such as lead. CDM 2007 regulations assert that builders must plan, manage, and monitor work in order to ensure that the health and safety risks are controlled. These measures are meant to protect both the public and the workers from hazardous chemical substances. In addition, there are additional laws that regulate the use of Lead in Construction. Physical hazards such as noise are common in construction sites. Reece and Edison (2014) note construction noises refer to any noise that is as result of activities at a construction site. Consequently, it is evident that workers at the Swansea project site will encounter multiple types of noises. The Health and Safety Executive (2006, p.3), points out that prolonged exposure to high noise levels is likely to lead to hearing loss. These observations underscore the need to protect workers from high noise levels. During the renovation project, most of the noise is expected to come because of earth moving, material handling or power units. The nose exposure limits lie between 85 db and 137 db. However, according to CNW regulations the daily noise exposure limit is 87db while the peak noise levels in 140db. Hence, it is important that the workers are provided with hearing protection gears. Regulation seven under CNW emphasizes that it is the duty of the employer to take all reasonable measures to protect all their employees from excessive exposure to noise. During the redevelopment of the Swansea site, the contractors are expected to ensure that they have provided their employees with additional protection beyond what is prescribed under regulation six. Risk Assessment Title: Risk Assessment for Façade Retention Company Names: Watkins Building and Construction Company Date of Assessment: 17th April 2015 Date for the Next Assessment: 17th October 2015 Assessment Conducted By: James Smith Hazard Person likely to be Harmed and How? Measures being taken currently Possible Additional Actions Persons Responsible Timeline Done Weak Pillars, and floor boards Engineers conducting the a structural survey Other persons on site Weak structures such as floor boards and pillars can collapse causing injury to the team Limiting site access Disaster preparedness team are on high alert MJ 22/4/2015 Weak Foundation Structural engineers. The building can collapse during assessment or actual renovation Proper reinforcement of the foundations in order to ensure it withstands the construction activities. Possible reconstruction of the foundation if it is too weak to support renovation activities MJ 23/4/2015 Soil and Ground Stability The site workers. Soils fall differently, therefore, too much activity may result in weakening of the ground and collapse of the building Observation of the recommendations of the site survey Constant monitoring of ground stability MJ 23/4/15 Glass breakages and physical injury The site workers. They can sustain physical injuries from broken window glasses or falls during the demolition process The workers have been provided with safety gear and trained accordingly. The supervisor should monitor the activities of the workers to ensure that they observe health and safety regulations DK 2 Site vandalism and Theft The employer, contractor, and workers. Theft of construction materials increases construction costs The construction site is fenced Installation of surveillance cameras HJ 23/4/2015 Presence of Flammable material on construction sites All persons working at the site. A fire can lead to death as well as destruction of the building Proper storage and handling of flammable chemicals. Prohibition of smoking or any open flame when working with flammable substances Strict monitoring by the supervisor as well as controlled access to flammable chemicals Installation of Fire Alarm Systems Presence of emergency escape routes Access to fire extinguishers DK 24/4/2015 Falls The construction workers. Broken bones, fractures or even death Use of equipments that minimize heights. Work is conducted when the weather is favorable to avoid risks Presence of scaffolds and nets as way of the protecting workers from long falls The contractor ensures he provides all machinery that reduce heights PT 27/4/2015 The working platforms are not stable. There are presence of openings and traps Construction workers. They are likely to suffer broken arms or limbs, fractures and in severe cases death All platforms are to be rectified to ensure that they meet the specification outlined under HSE regulations General access to scaffolds PT 27/4/2015 Accidents during installation, use or removal of temporary cradles Site workers. They are likely to suffer physical injuries The contractor should ensure that the temporary cradles are installed and dismantled by competent persons Presence of a rescue plan should the cradle stall at a high level PT 23/4/2015 Placing and Bracing roof trusses Construction workers. They risks falls and other physical injuries The supervisor ensures that there is a safe system to protect the workers from falls Use of nets for soft landing. Provision of safe clearing distance. PT 24/3/2015 Steel Erection Construction workers Careful planning by the workers and supervisor on how to safely conduct the activity Installation of edge protection at ground level Designing easy connection joints for bolts Providing the workers with information that will enable them to conduct the activity with minimum strain or risk Positioning guard rails at appropriate places that promote the construction sequence KY 28/4/2015 High Noise Levels Site Workers. It could to hearing loss Providing workers with the right protective gear Constant monitoring to ensure that the noise levels do not exceed set limits KY 23/4/2015 Exposure to Asbestos Site workers. It predisposes them to cancer and other asbestos related illnesses Provide the workers with the right protective gear Continuously conduct monitoring and assessment to ensure that workers are not exposed to high levels of asbestos KY 30/4/2015 Exposure to Lead Site Workers. It could lead to lead poisoning. Predisposes the workers to cancer. Supervisors should ensure that workers handle lead correctly. Workers should be provided with the right protective gear. The management team constantly monitoring and managing lead exposure at the construction site KY 30/4/2015 Conclusion Façade retention and renovations faces numerous hazards and risks like any other construction project. In order to ensure the safety of all persons involved in the construction site several regulations have been created and implemented. These guidelines have been beneficial in minimizing risks such as falls, asbestos related illnesses, and lead poisoning among others. Construction workers are advised to wear protective garments when handling hazardous substances. These clothing items protect the workers from coming into contact with the substances. For instance, overalls, gloves and footwear prevents contact with the skin hence mitigating the possibility of skin allergies, In addition, they wear goggles to protect their eyes and noise cancellation headphones to protect them the noise. All these measures are included in the HSE guidelines and CDM 2007 Regulations. Besides the physical protective gears, COSHH, CNW, and CDM 2007 Regulations outline some of the administrative measures that can be taken by the employer and contractor. The regulations demand that these persons plan, monitor and manage all safety and health activities within their sites. In addition, they are required to conduct risk assessments in order to identify some of the potential hazards that they are likely to encounter and develop appropriate measures. References Health and Safety Executive 2006, The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Guidance on Regulations, 2nd ed. HSE, United Kingdom Health Safety Executive 2014, Health and Safety in Construction in Great Britain, HSE, United Kingdom Hornbostel, C 2008, Construction materials: types, uses, and applications, 3rd Edition New York, Wiley. HSE. 2012, "Asbestos Frequently Asked Questions." HSE: Information About Health and Safety at Work, Last modified 2012. http://www.hse.gov.uk/ASBESTOS/faq.htm. HSE 2014 "HSE - Lead." HSE: Information About Health and Safety at Work, Last modified 2014. http://www.hse.gov.uk/lead/. HSE. 2014 "Construction - Are You a Smaller Builder? – Domestic, Small Business," HSE: Information About Health and Safety at Work, Last modified 2014. http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/builder.htm. Reese, CD & Eidson J 2006, Handbook of OSHA Construction Safety and Health, Second Edition, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton Tweedy, J T 2014, Healthcare Hazard Control and Safety Management, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton Read More