Standardized WHS Hazard/Risk Levels for Construction Work

This report provides a standardized WHS hazards and the risk associated with it for construction work. The report can be used as a guideline by any company to standardize activity risk levels across its core business. The hazards are categorized into different types such as general work areas, scaffolding, power tools, etc. The report also includes the likeliness and impact of each hazard and the severity and contingency plan for each hazard type.

Running head: STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
INTRODUCTION:
Construction work can be defined as any work that is carried out involving construction,
maintenance, demolition, renovation, dismantling conversion and fitting-out of any structure1.
WHS define structure as anything made by construction which can be fixed or movable,
temporary or permanent such as building, towers and much more. Due to conducting a work that
involves heavy elements and work pressure it is considered as a high risk profession2. Therefore,
it is the responsibility of the site owner and the construction company working on the site. The
report provides a standardized WHS hazards and the risk associated with it. The report can be
used as a guideline by any company to standardize activity risk levels across its core business.
1 Fauzey, Ily Hanisah Mohd, Fatemeh Nateghi, Farahbod Mohammadi, and Faridah Ismail. "Emergent occupational
safety & health and environmental issues of demolition work: Towards public environment." Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences 168 (2015): 41-51.
2 Kim, Jeong Tai, and Chuck WF Yu. "Hazardous materials in buildings." Indoor and Built Environment 23, no. 1
(2014): 44-61.

2STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Hazard identification:
Potential
cause
Hazard task Impact Likeliness
1. General Hoarding The temporary wooden fence
around a building is important. It
is important to use hoardings to
barricade the worksite in order to
maintain safety. It is not only to
protect the public from danger but
also from dangers that occurs in
the site. The hoardings should not
be less than 1800mm in height. It
should be designed accordingly.
Loss of
lives
1
Overhead
Protection
Since there are open structures
that are present in the working
site, tools and materials may fall
accidently. This may cause great
hazards which can be protected
by using overhead protection.
Minor and
major
Physical
injury.
3
Public
safety
Adequate health and safety
precautions are important or they
put employees, workers and pubic

3STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
at risk. Employers must ensure by
the section 3 of health and safety
at work Act 1974 to maintain
safety at the workplace.
Work area
separation
Providing appropriate signage
and site separation around the
work area.
Physical
injury or
loss of
lives
2
2. General Work
Area
Leads It is a very crucial problem if the
chemical problems are not taken
care. They are found in form of
dusts, fumes and fibers.
Therefore, they are acutely minor
yet can cause serious harm
Health
related
problem
3
Safety Gear Safety glasses or face shield are
manily worn during the work
operation that may cause any
unwanted object to get in the eye.
It is specially eyes and face
protectors that are most vital
along with other protectors.
Loss of
eyesight or
eye disease
1
Rubbish Rubbish includes various things
however they are only the
Health
problems
2

4STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
wastages that are taken out from
the construction site. Treated
wood, glass, plastics that contains
dangerous subtances. This are
waste yet can cause of hazards as
they also include metals
containing dangerous substances.
Materials Asbestos, material and manual
handling, hand arm vibration
syndrome, moving object and
many more fall under this
category. It is not specifically the
materials but the type of materials
that are harmful and are able to
cause dangerous accidents.
3. Scaffolding Frames Frames are used to reach the
height of the construction project.
The frame accidents can cause
death as well. It is important for
the employers to ensure frames
are tightly fixed.
Physical
injury or
loss of
lives
1
Kwikstage The potential hazards that can be
caused by Kwikstage are fall
Physical
injury and
1

5STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
(from height), collapse of trench
or scaffold and many more.
Failure to use appropriately any
measure will lead to accidents.
loss of
lives
Loading Loading is big cause of hazards
since construction site require
lifting often. Any improper lifting
may lead to accidents. Bulky
loads not taken care appropriately
will lead to accidents. Any forms
of insufficient environment may
encourage accidents such as
lighting, floors, steps or access.
Physical
injury
3
Planks Planks can be very dangerous if
used without safety ideas. An
overloaded planks with no safe
access for workers can lead to
dangerous accidents.
Physical
injury
2
Shade
Cloth/Mesh
Shade cloths and mesh has to be
checked again to be sure they are
reliable. It is a common source of
accident since people tend to use
the same mesh for long time.
Physical
injury
2

6STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
4. Power Tool Explosive
Power tools
Explosive power tools are the
most dangerous. Fire
extinguisher, acids, chemical
objects, power tools and
flammable objects are risky and
prone to cause big accidents.
Loss of
lives
1
Small Tools Small tools are minor yet they are
hazardous. For this aspect, there
is need to take the safety gears
appropriately.
Minor
injuries
3
Leads It is a very crucial problem if the
chemical problems are not taken
care. They are found in form of
dusts, fumes and fibers.
Therefore, they are acutely minor
yet can cause serious harm
Loss of
lives
2
5. Materials
handling
equipment
Operators Physical
accidents
2
Machine Machines such as drill machine,
Crain, or any equipment should
be checked and have regular
service in order to avoid any
accidents 2

7STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
accidents. They are capable of
occurring massive disaster.
6. Rubbish Rubbish includes various things
however they are only the
wastages that are taken out from
the construction site. Treated
wood, glass, plastics that contains
dangerous substances. This are
waste yet can cause of hazards as
they also include metals
containing dangerous substances.
3
7. Penetrations Health related problems are
mostly occurred by penetration.
Areas to be penetrated should be
investigated and showed in the
drawing.
1

8STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
EVALUATION OF THE HAZARDS:
LIKELINESS H(3)  Overhead
protection
 Small
tools
 Rubbish
 Loading  Leads
 Safety
gear

M(2)  Shades
cloths/ mesh
 Rubbish
 Planks
 Operations
 Work
area
separation
 Leads
 Machines
L (1)  kwikstage  Penetration  Hoarding
 Frames
 Explosive
power
tools
L (1) M (2) H (3)
IMPACT
SEVERITY AND CONTINGENCY PLAN
Hazard type Severity contingency

9STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Breakdown of hoarding Significant of hoarding is
important however it can
cause tremendous hazarders
on construction site. It has the
potential to cause loss of lives
as well.
Hoarding arrangements should
be done appropriately. All
building materials should be
handled and stored within the
hoarded area. The hoarding
must be checked with
appropriately to avoid any
breakdown. Usage of any
damaged tools or fixture should
be avoided.
Falling objects Falling objects can cause
dangerous. It has the
possibility to cause several
hazards and therefore, there is
need for the site management
to take care of the issue.
The construction workers and
members need to be protected
from such hazards as it is not
possible to predict the possible
impact. There should be use of
covered walkways or suitable
netting that would protect from
the falling object. Waste
materials should be brought
down instead of throwing from
down. Hard hats should be
made compulsory for the reason
it can protect from any damage.

10STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Accident prone area The accident prone areas
should be avoided at every
cost. The accident prone areas
can lead to accidents that can
either be sever or minor.
However it is an area to be
taken care of.
Information regarding the work
areas should be known to
everyone. Workers must be
aware and alert regarding the
areas highly prone to accidents.
Workers should be provided
with guidance for every places
and practice of good walking
should be adopted by workers
as well. the leaders should be
able to guide the workers
2. General work areas
Physical health issue Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
Leads are highly hazardous
object. It requires special care
while usage. Usage of leads
should be done while wearing
safety measures such as masks
and gloves.
Eye damage The hazards causing the eye
damage is a sever issue. The
construction site is often
involves works that can cause
high risk of losing eyesight.
There is a need for the workers
to wear the safety gears to
protect the eyes. Where there is
too many dust and chemicals, it
is highly recommendable to

11STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
wear the safety gears.
Physical health issues Rubbish can also cause health
problems for the amount of
chemicals and the exposure to
the chemicals. There should be
safety gears and gloves.
3. Scaffold
Fall from height When scaffolds are not
erected properly, there is high
chance of fall hazards.
Protecting workers from
scaffold related accidents
should be given more priority
as it is mostly due to lack of
concern.
Scaffolds must be checked and
should be sound, rigid, and
sufficient enough for carry
load. The scaffolds should be
fixed following the guidelines.
The load should be measured
before so it does not end up
more than the capability.
Scaffold accessories should be
checked and any damaged or
faulted items should be
avoided. Employees must be
instructed about the hazards and
the safety measures they can
take. Use of ladder and

12STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
stairwells should be made for
better usage.
Fall from height Scaffolds must be checked and
should be sound, rigid, and
sufficient enough for carry
load. The scaffolds should be
fixed following the guidelines.
The load should be measured
before so it does not end up
more than the capability.
Scaffold accessories should be
checked and any damaged or
faulted items should be
avoided. Employees must be
instructed about the hazards and
the safety measures they can
take. Use of ladder and
stairwells should be made for
better usage.
Accidents and physical
injury
Information should be provided
to all the workers. Workers
should be given proper
guidelines that would be helpful

13STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
for them to follow and avoid
such issues.
Physical injury Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
The work should be done while
wearing safety measures such
as masks and gloves.
Physical injury Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
Regular check of site and the
accident prone areas would be
adequate to avoid such
accidents. Workers need to
wear safety gears and
preventive measures should be
taken care of.
4. Power tools
Fire explosion Fire explosion accidents are of
high priority that can cause
disaster. Therefore, it is a high
risk.
Fire explosion is a major
hazards however it does not
occur easily. Although when it
occurs it gives has severe
impact and therefore, there
should be strong prevention
from these accidents. There
should be appropriate location
of fire points and assembly of

14STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
correct tools for stopping the
cause.
Minor accidents The accidents can cause minor
injuries however, there is a
need for taking care of this
particular section.
The workers should be careful
regarding the environment.
Following an appropriate
guideline would be safe for the
workers. Regular check of site
and the accident prone areas
would be adequate to avoid
such minor accidents.
Electrical accidents Electrical accidents are of
high priority that can cause
disaster. Therefore, it is a high
risk.
Due to several wet conditions
and several usage of machines,
there can be several electricity
related accidents. The wiring of
the construction sites should be
checked properly. Workers
should avoid getting the wet
activities near the electricity.
The machine operation should
be given adequate voltage to
avoid any circuit issue.
5. Materials handling
equipment

15STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Physical injury Any works causing physical
health problem are of high
risk. Therefore, it is not to be
taken lightly.
The workers should be careful
regarding the environment.
Following an appropriate
guideline would be safe for the
workers. Regular check of site
and the accident prone areas
would be adequate to avoid
such accidents. Machines and
operation should be carefully
examined.
Physical injury Any works causing physical
health problem are of high
risk. Therefore, it is not to be
taken lightly.
The workers should be careful
regarding the environment.
Following an appropriate
guideline would be safe for the
workers. Regular check of site
and the accident prone areas
would be adequate to avoid
such accidents. Machines and
operation should be carefully
examined.
Health related problems The health related problems are
caused when the workers are

16STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
exposed to chemicals. This
happens while cutting building
blocks, demolition work or any
other drilling activities.
Appropriate prevention
measures and should be taken.
The level of exposure for the
workers should be maintained.
Wearing of mask should be
mandatory to avoid inhaling of
harmful chemicals.
Health related problems Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
The cement dust and wet
cements are highly impactful on
health. There are many ways
health is at stake when it comes
to construction site. Mask
should be made compulsory.
Exposure to the chemicals
should be determined and kept
under control.

17STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Conclusion:
Construction companies, being one of the high risk associated business have several risks
and potential for various hazards. The list of hazards involved in construction activities are
various and each and every hazards can a level of risk that can cause loss to the company as well
as lives. Therefore, evaluating every hazards it is necessary to adopt appropriate measures.

18STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
References:
Fauzey, Ily Hanisah Mohd, Fatemeh Nateghi, Farahbod Mohammadi, and Faridah Ismail. "Emergent occupational
safety & health and environmental issues of demolition work: Towards public environment." Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences 168 (2015): 41-51.
Kim, Jeong Tai, and Chuck WF Yu. "Hazardous materials in buildings." Indoor and Built Environment 23, no. 1
(2014): 44-61.