Safety in High Rise Buildings: The Roles of the Project Manager - Essay Example

SAFETY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS: THE ROLES OF THE PROJECT MANAGER Contents Sr. # Topic Pg Introduction 2 2. Research Objectives 3 3. Method of Work 4 4. Evaluation 7 References 10 1. Introduction Frequent deaths and large scale damage to life and property of innocent residents, is often caused on account of building collapses and fire outbreaks in high rise buildings. Although the high rise buildings, in present times, are adequately equipped with state of the art technology to assist the occupants to evacuate the premises, in the event of such calamities as earthquakes, fire outbreaks, or other such potentially threatening occurrences, the statistics available indicate otherwise, rendering the assurances of safety; questionable and doubtful. In fact, the construction industry has been considered to be one of the most dangerous sectors due to the number of accidents being experienced by the workers while they are working on their projects, most especially, the high rise buildings (Rowlinson 2004)1. The industry, because of the abovementioned has then also produced the worst safety record all over the world. In the light of this fact, the relevance and implication of implementation of adequate and effective safety measures as well as the role of the project manager / supervisor in charge of safety of construction workers and occupants particularly in high rise buildings assumes greater significance. One of the objectives of this study, hence, is to identify study and evaluate the various aspects of safety with respect to high rise buildings and the role of project supervisor / manager in response to such threats. Furthermore, this paper also presents an elaborate discussion of the critical aspects of high rise building safety, the various rules and regualations governing its construction, and finally offers logical solutions to improve the safety conditions of the occupants. The stated objectives shall be assessed with the help of a detailed review of existing research literature on high rise building safety and the role and scope of the project supervisor. 2. Research Objectives The construction of high rise buildings poses at lot of risks to the safety and security of the workers. Hence it is imperative to analyze and understand the role of the project manager in reducing / eliminating such risks encountered on construction sites. The key objectives of this research include: Identify the range of potential risks associated with high rise buildings Investigate, evaluate and explore the existing data related to the role of project managers / supervisors in charge of high rise building projects Identify suitable alternatives for reducing such risks Suggest effective safety practices that may be incorporated by the project supervisors for ensuring safety of construction workers as well as occupants in high rise buildings 3. Method of Work The paper will be categorized into two main parts whereby the first part shall comprise of a study drawn from a series of studies, past researches as well as a comprehensive literature survey from selected readings while the second part shall mostly comprise of directed study on key site. The site study for the purpose of this paper shall comprise of a detailed investigation of the various key high rise buildings in UK as well as other significant architectures across the globe, such as the PETRONAS Twin Towers (Kuala Lumpur), The Burj (Dubai), Chrysler Building (NY City), etc among others. Literature Review High rise buildings are prone to natural disasters as well as accidents caused on account of neglect of duties and non adherence to prescribed safety measures. In either situation, the damage to life and property is immense. Historical evidences bear testimony to the fact that irreparable damage has been caused on account of frequent accidents. For instance, the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake caused approximately 61 deaths and over 9000 injuries. Furthermore, around 112,000 structures, in all, suffered severe damage, which completely disrupted the urban infrastructure, in the process. The Northridge earthquake proved to be the most expensive natural disaster ever experienced in the United States, with estimated losses running into billions of dollars. The startling cost associated with nonstructural component damage in buildings was particularly upsetting, as was the astonishing number of fragile fissures in the links of welded moment - resisting steel frames. Seismic events in urban areas offer decisive opportunities for gaining adequate first hand knowledge about the scope and extent of damage likely to be caused in the event of such natural disasters. Moreover, forensic engineering reports and other such related publications associated with such occurrences further contribute to the existing knowledge regarding the expansion of enhanced design codes and advanced construction practices2. Quantitative Risk Analysis, alternatively known as QRA is by far one of the most resource - intensive methods of assessing risks. It uses statistical values to communicate both the effects as well as probability of a particular risk. Data sources for quantification include: Past records Relevant experience Industry practice Relevant published data, including reliability databases Test marketing and research Experiments and prototypes Economic, engineering or other models and specialist and expert judgments3 The impact of risks can be articulated in terms of financial, scientific or human criteria where the probability is, as a rule, articulated in terms of likelihood or a blend of odds and experience. With respect to analyses of safety risks, outcomes are typically represented in human terms. For instance, mortality rates are frequently used for representing occupations or activities as the number of grievances per total number of man hours worked or per building constructed. Gadd et al (2003) identified some of the general drawbacks associated with risk assessment. According to him, the risk assessment in certain cases is used to validate assessments which have already been made rather than using them to carry out a methodical evaluation of the extent of risk and a contrast of substitute risk control options. The use of nonspecific risk evaluations is another potential cause of concern. On account of a non availability of competency in executing risk evaluations, several organizations adopt and implement nonspecific risk assessments for comparable maneuvers or construction sites. Whereas generic risk assessments can be regarded as a constructive preliminary launch pad for such organizations, it is however, imperative, that the site specific circumstances be taken into consideration. The site supervisor or project manager, in such a situation, must take into consideration the fact that no two construction sites face exactly similar hazards and that factors such as ground conditions, location, availability and accessibility in case of underground sites, as well as that of overhead cables etc vary from site to site. Hence while undertaking site evaluation, such pitfalls must be adequately evaluated and avoided4. The factors associated with the concept of ‘reasonable practicability entail that there is necessity for specialized ruling in judgments related to the type of risk control measures required to be implemented. According to Lingard and Rowlinson “Decision makers must be aware of all the available technically feasible risk control measures in making these decisions because ignorance is no defense for failing to implement a cost effective risk control measure”5. The planning supervisor must also pay attention to the design of the building. He or she must work hand in hand with the designers so as to make sure that the design complies with the following: (1) to avoid risks to health and safety; (2) to prevent risks; and lastly, (3) to give priority to measures that will protect people who are engaged in the construction process (Henderson & Parry6, 1996; Joyce7, 2001; Walker8, 2002; Coble, Haupt & Hinze9, 2000). As earlier mentioned, the CDM regulations give paramount importance to the development of a health and safety plan (Turner & Simister10, 2000; Morton11, 2002; Fewings12, 2005). According to Twort and Rees13 (2004), this is basically a plan that would help contractors understand the potential risks of a site as well as what has to be undertaken. It is basically aimed towards addressing issues so as to eliminate or at least reduce the usual accidents brought about by the construction. The following, according to Twort and Rees (2004) are usually contained in the said safety plan: The description of the project, the detains of the client, the planning supervisor and the designers; Existing safety arrangements and rules, permits and emergency procedures; Safety hazards which include access, materials and structures that are hazardous, as well as the existing services and ground conditions; Substances that are dangerous to health (i.e. asbestos and contamination); Safety goals of the project and the different arrangements for its monitoring and review; and finally, The environmental restrictions and risks that may be encountered on site. Tunstall14 (2006) contributes to the existing body of definition by reiterating the need for the publication of a health and safety plan which would be posted in every structure of the construction site. According to this author, the health and safety file should also contain a brief description of how materials in the workplace may threaten health and safety. Aside from this, information with regard to equipment and fire fighting systems are also provided in order to allow better and faster response to problems relating to the health and safety of the workers. While the previous researchers mentioned gave paramount importance to the health and safety plan as one of the measures that the project manager must focus on, Holt15 (2001) then looks into the precautionary measures undertaken by the project managers in order to ensure the safety of their workers. According to Holt (2001), falls are usually the most common problems experienced by the workers as a result of openings and edges. As a result, he suggests that the project managers inspect their construction sites in order to ensure that these are in accordance with the regulations set in place by the government of the United Kingdom. Holt (2001) recommends project managers to ensure that solid guardrails be established where falls of more than 2 meters could occur in order to comply with the requirements of the United Kingdom. Aside from this, it is also the task of the latter to protect the workers from falling objects. Hence, a barrier must be provided from the guardrail down to floor level in order to ensure the safety of those working at the lower levels. Opened floors, which are also a common cause of deaths in the workplace must also be covered and properly labeled (Holt, 2001). According to Stranks16 (2005), the safety of workers is given importance to pursuant to the provisions of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations of 1996. It basically tasks the project managers to impose requirements related to the health, safety, and welfare of the persons who are working in construction sites. In the same manner, it also requires the project managers as well as other administrators of the construction companies to ensure that they are in control of the way that the construction work is being carried out. The review previously presented only shows the roles played by project managers of construction firms in the United Kingdom. Apparently, the above discussion showed that project managers in the country are encouraged by law to incorporate proper measures so as to ensure the safety of their workers. They are required to come up with a safety plan that would contain the safety goals of the projects, the risks that can be met while on site, the different substances that would be used that may somehow harm the workers and existing safety arrangements together with the regulations and procedures that everybody must observe. Aside from this, project managers in the United Kingdom also develop appropriate measures in order to ensure the safety of their workers. Usually, they post the health and safety files in every structure so as to inform the workers regarding the operation of equipment as well as the location of fire fighting systems in order to respond to incidences more effectively. Finally, the project managers in the United Kingdom are also tasked by law, to ensure that all activities and equipments are well documented with safety certificates to eliminate grave accidents from befalling on their workers. 4. Evaluation The study so conducted shall be summarized in the form of a full fledged illustrated paper, taking into consideration all the key objectives stated therein. It will include a summary of the key findings of the literature discussed above, an evaluation of the existing literature and prospects for future changes, illustrations of the field investigations conducted for the purpose of this study as well as recommendations derived there from. References: Bontempi, F., System Based Vision for Strategic and Creative Design, 2003, Taylor & Francis, Pp. 1345 Coble, R.J., Haupt, T.C. and Hinze, J. (2000). The Management of Safety and Health. London: Taylor and Francis Henderson, D.J. and Parry, G.R. (1996). Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. London: Sweet & Maxwell Joyce, R. (2001). The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 Explained. London: Thomas Telford Lingard, H., Rowlinson, S. M., (2005). Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Project Management, Pp. 201 - 207 Rowlinson, S.M. (2004). Construction Safety Management Systems. London: Taylor & Francis Group Morton, R. (2002). Construction UK: Introduction to the Industry. London: Wiley-Blackwell. Turner, J.R. and Simister, S.J. (2000). Gower Book of Project Management. London: Gower Publishing, Ltd. Twort, A.C. and Rees, J.G. (2004). Civil Engineering Project Management. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Walker, A. (2002). Project Management in Construction. London: Wiley-Blackwell. Fewings, P. (2005). Construction Project Management: An Integrated Approach. London: Taylor & Francis Tunstall, G. (2006). Managing the Building Design Process. London: Butterwort-Heinemann. Holt, A.S.J. (2001). Principles of Construction Safety. London: Wiley-Blackwell. Stranks, J. (2005). The Manager’s Guide to Health and Safety at Work. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Figure 1: Building containing a “Philadelphia Fire Tower” where occupants of each floor are provided with an exit to an open balcony opening into an interior shaft which is in turn completely separated by a fire wall from the rest of the building hence providing a smoke - free exit path. Source: Brannigan, F. L., (1992). Building Construction for the Fire Service, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Pp. 460 Table 1: Risk Control Hierarchy For Falling From Heights Source: Lingard, H., Rowlinson, S. M., (2005). Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Project Management, Taylor & Francis, Pp. 205 - 206 Read More