Construction Site Health and Safety Case Study: Analysis and Solutions

This case study provides a comprehensive analysis of health and safety issues within a construction project involving the demolition of an existing structure and the erection of a mixed commercial/residential development. It identifies various hazards and risks, including falls from heights, accidents from moving objects and vehicles, electrical hazards, manual handling issues, harmful materials, noise, and slips, trips, and falls. The study classifies injuries and hazards based on severity, nature, and cause, and proposes countermeasures such as training, protective systems, and risk assessments. The analysis also details control measures for hazard prevention and minimization, addressing specific risks like working at heights, collapse, moving objects, electricity, manual handling, harmful materials, and slips, trips, and falls. It emphasizes the importance of worker involvement, hazard identification, and the development of effective control plans to ensure a safe working environment. The case study also includes a risk assessment table which highlights various hazards, their associated risks, assessment degrees, potential consequences, and suggested countermeasures.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 1
Health and Safety in Construction
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Project background.................................................................................................................3
Extensive background of the topic.............................................................................................3
Health and safety issues identification...................................................................................3
Classification of injuries and hazards.....................................................................................6
Countermeasures....................................................................................................................6
Risk assessment......................................................................................................................9
Moving objects and vehicles.............................................................................................10
Accidents..........................................................................................................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................12
References................................................................................................................................13

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 3
Introduction
Project background
Health and Safety Issues in the Construction Site
There are four significant factors which greatly influences the risks and hazards
experienced in the construction field. For instance: an increase in accidents due to non-
compliance, managing of safety in complicated sites, poor safety culture or lack of safety
management, and inadequate planning. Conversely, the hazards and risk related to health
range from a wide variety, and are almost same in construction sites, with less variation. In
this case study, some of the hazards and health safety issues which are likely to be
experienced in the construction (demolition of the existing site structures associated with the
above ground pool showroom and the erection of a mixed commercial / residential
development with basement parking) are explored. The structure also consists of a total of 10
commercial tenancies ground level providing a floor area of 1,532m2, offering a mix of retail
uses.
Extensive background of the topic
Health and safety issues identification
The construction stage first have to consider the demolition of the existing structures and then
the first phase of the construction. Some of the likely construction injuries, hazards, and risks
that may occur during the construction stage include;
 Falls from Working at heights
In regards to working at heights, unstable working surfaces, particularly those off the ground
can be a likely cause of accidents in the site. There is likeliness of human error, restricted
mobility, and accessibility, as well as failure or misuse of safety equipment. The high height
might result in faults which either degenerates into death or permanent injury. The reason
why this becomes a possible event is that there is the excavation of the previously existing
site and reconstruction of new facilities. It implies that trenches and pits will be dug and

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 4
during the rebuilding, the pits may act as points of danger and hazards to the constructors
when they are not safely guarded (Liu and Tsai, 2012).
 Falls from Collapse of part of the building
This construction will involve buildings coming down and going up. Further, there will be
excavation of the trenches. At any given point during the installation of the structures,
erection, and demolition, falls might be experienced from the trenches, excavations, walls,
and scaffolding which might expose the constructers to health risks (Jeelani, Albert, and
Gambatese, 2016)
 Accidents due to Moving objects and vehicles
With the busy construction activities, taking and offloading of the construction site materials,
it implies that the busy nature of the construction site is likely to results into fatalities. For
instance, the moving up and down of the equipment’s and vehicles may easily knock down a
construction worker who may expose the individual to health risk. When a review is done in
2015-2016 years alone, 11% of the deaths realized were particular coming from the plant and
cranes, forklifts and the volume of traffic during the transportation of the materials. Further,
heavy objects and materials may likely fall on someone and restrict the movement of the
person (Baykara, Karatepe, and Doğru, 2011).
 Electricity
Electrical energy is a significant source of the hazard to the workers in a construction site; not
just the workers alone but another person else. Safety of the workers needs to be a priority
when it comes to either working underground or close to overhead lines. For instance, during
the construction of the swimming pool and other facilities, there is likeliness that water may
be handled in a disorganized manner (Tak et al., 2011). Thus, when it comes into contact with
naked electrical wires, it may easily electrocute most of the construction workers. Further, the

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 5
electrical hazards can also emanate from hiring unprofessional electricians to do the
installation systems within the facilities (Caponecchia and Sheils, 2011).
 Diseases from repetitive Manual handling
It is no doubt that the demolition of the existing site structures associated with the above
ground pool showroom and the erection of a mixed commercial / residential will be
characterized with manual handling of most activities. These put the workers to the risk of
musculoskeletal disorders. From past research, 64% of the health complaints emanate from
manual handling and repetitive motion injuries. For instance, the hand-arm vibration
syndrome. Besides, other physical injuries may also arise from manual handling such as back
injury while carrying objects and ground working equipment (Fortunato III, Hallowell,
Behm, and Dewlaney, 2011).
 Harmful materials
A variety of materials are used in the construction, most of which are potentially hazardous
to the workers. Using damaged materials and incorrect use of PPE also contributes to
exposing the construction workers to danger. For instance, long term risk from dust particles
such as brick, plaster and cement, and asbestos. Recursive handling of the solvents also is a
health risk, as they can result in respiratory complications, including asthma, asbestosis,
silicosis, and mouth/visual problems (Albert et al., 2014).
 Noise
There is a lot of noise coming from this kind of construction site from activities such as
excavations, use of compressors, and drillers. These levels of noise would easily lead to
hearing impairments and even short term problems such as accidents occurring from the
vibrations caused by the drillers and compressors. Distractions are also likely to take place,
which might lead to accidents that eventually risk the lives of the construction workers
(Arquillos et al.,2012).

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 Slips trips and falls
Trips and falls might also arise from uneven surfaces.
From previous literature, 23% of the injuries witnessed in 2013-2014 were injuries from
strips and fell emanating from uneven surfaces (Hallowell et al., 2013).
General summary of the construction site accidents (Jeelani et al., 2016).
Types of accident FREQUENCY Percentage
Contact with
electricity
9 5.8
Trench accident 7 4.5
Natural causes 4 2.6
Falls from height 9 5.8
Vehicle and
machinery
4 2.6
Others 14 9.1
Crane accident 2 1.3
Natural causes 4 2.6
Fall from
scaffolding
13 8.4
Exposure to fire 3 1.9
Fall from ladder 23 14.9
Struck by a fixed
object
6 3.9
Classification of injuries and hazards
Accidents in construction sites fall under different categories. There are three main
categories which these types of accidents fall into. The categories include

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 7
 According to the severity of the injury
In this group, we have three main types of accidents namely: minor accident, Major accident,
and Accidental hazards
 Depending on the nature of the injury
This will include injuries resulting in permanent disablement, death, temporary disablement,
and partial disablement
 Depending on the cause of the accident
This category includes accidents resulting from trench collapse, construction fault, crane
failure, and equipment fault (Tixier et al., 2014).
Countermeasures
Hazard Prevention and Control
Effective prevention and control of the hazards in construction sites help prevent the workers
as well as the constructors from being exposed to health risks such as injuries, incidents, and
illness. There are various steps which need to be taken by the employers to control the
hazards effectively. The measures include
i. Involving the workers on how the hazards can be managed, either in control,
prevention, and minimization (Agwu, 2012)
ii. Identification of various options for managing the hazards in terms of hierarchy
iii. Developing plans characterized with measures for the protection of the workers in
instance s of emergencies as well as activities which are non-routine
iv. Assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the available strategies for controlling
the hazards in the workplace (Naticchia, Vaccarini, and Carbonari, 2013)
In terms of the actions which should be taken, there are six control measures, including
Action 1: identification of control options- before settling on one control action, the employer
needs to explore all the possible control options which also entails involving the workers to
get their opinions over the same

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 8
Action 2: selection controls – they employers need to consider a feasible, effective and
permanent contraction thorough a thorough assessment of the available control items
Action 3: developing and updating a hazards control plan- this is a plan which describes the
implementation of the control plan which has been opted for. The plan needs to be an
effective one.
Action 4: a selection of non-routine an emergency operations control- these are control
characterized with provisions that cover the employees during emergencies as well as non-
routine times depending on the site of the workplace
Action 5: implementation of the control plan – it refers to implementation of the plan
according to the hazard plan which had already been established
Action 6: follow up on the plan- this ensures that the control plan remains effective and help
in maintenance operations (Perlman, Sacks and Barak, 2014).
Hazards minimization
Working at height
Some of the countermeasures against hazards emanating from heights includes training the
staff and the constriction workers on use and maintained of the PPE, installation of protection
systems such as guard rails, using the correct equipment such as ladder, fall protection
systems and guardrails.
Collapse
The collapse can be minimized by the implementation of protective systems such as trenches,
and workers should utilize them at all times. Retaining the remedial structures and inspection
can also be of help. Additionally, risk assessments can also be created, so that extent and how
the risk can be merged is known to the construction workers (Hughes, and Ferrett, 2012).
Moving objects and vehicles

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The hazards coming from the, moving objects and vehicles can be countered by the creation
of designated workers walking zones, as well as utilization of safety features to plants. For
instance roller protection while using the forklifts to avoid causing harm to the constructors.
Electricity
Electric shocks and hazards can easily be prevented and managed by using professional
electricians while doing the installation of electrical systems and equipment’s within the
structures. Further, barriers, as well as the incorporation of safety warning, should be done to
the people working close to the power lines either overhead cables or the underground cables.
Finally, implementation of the good work practice organization measures can also be critical
towards preventing the accidents emanating from electrical shocks
Manual handling
To minimize the hazards coming from manual handling, a full risk assessment needs to be
conducted, and protocols are introduced which guide the whole manual handling of items.
Further, regular training on what constitutes safe manual handling as well as maintained of
the lifting equipment’s will be of significance. By extension, use of the PPE
Harmful materials
Harmful materials can be minimized from causing hazards to the constructors by using the
correct protocols, and checking the full maintained of the PPE. The harmful materials can
also be properly disposed of and handling measures be implemented, which prevents them
from spilling over and exposure of the workers to risk.
Slips trips and falls
The risk of tripping and falling can be avoided by always keeping the surfaces dry and free
from materials which potentially would cause slipping and falling. For the excavations and
other open surfaces, temporary materials can be used to cover such surfaces to minimize the
chances of one falling. Warning signs can also be vital in notifying the people of places

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 10
which are not safe. By extension, implementation of protocols for operation during
unfavorable weather and the removal of spills can also be essential in eliminating the chances
of trips and falls in the construction site (Carbonari et al., 2011).
Risk assessment
Task Hazard Risk Risk
assessme
nt
Risk
degr
ee
(1-5)
Consequenc
es
Countermeas
ures
Exposure
Demolition Collapse
of
building
Fall Unfilled
pits and
trenches
failure or
misuse of
safety
equipmen
t
5 Death or
injury
Training the
staff and the
construction
workers on
use and
maintenance
of the PPE
Installation of
protection
systems such
as guard rails,
Using the
correct
equipment
such as
ladder, fall
protection
systems and
guardrails.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 11
Collapse
of
building
Fall during
the
installatio
n of the
structures
, erection,
and
demolitio
n, falls
might be
experienc
ed from
the
trenches,
excavatio
ns, walls,
and
scaffoldin
g
4 Death or
injury
Implementati
on of
protective
systems such
as trenches
Transportat
ion of
materials
Moving
objects
and
vehicles
Accidents moving
up and
down of
the
equipmen
t’s and
vehicles
may
easily
knock
down a
constructi
on
worker
2 Death or
injury
Creation of
designated
workers
walking
zones, as well
as utilization
of safety
features to
plants
Electrical
Installation
s
Electrical
faults,
contact
with
water,
naked
electrical
wires
Electrocutio
n
Open
wires
Contact
with
water
3 Death or
permanent
injury from
the shock
Using
professional
electricians
while doing
the
installation of
electrical
systems
implementati
on of the
good work
practice
organization
measures
Repetitive
manual
handling
Heavy
machine
such as
musculoskel
etal
disorders
Repetitiv
e
handling
3 Disease such
as
musculoskel
Full risk
assessment
needs to be

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 12
vibrators of
structures
etal
disorders
conducted,
and protocols
are
introduced
which guide
the whole
manual
handling of
items
Harmful
materials
Exposure
to dust
particle
and PPE
Respiratory
diseases
such as
asbestosis,
and asthma
Using
damaged
materials
and
incorrect
use of
PPE also
contribute
s to
exposing
the
constructi
on
workers
to danger
Long
term risk
from dust
particles
such as
brick,
plaster
and
cement,
and
asbestos
3 Respiratory
complication
s such as
asthma,
asbestosis,
silicosis, and
mouth/visual
problems
Using the
correct
protocols, and
checking the
full
maintained of
the PPE.
NOISE Vibration
from the
drillers
and
compress
ors
Hearing
impairments
4 hearing
impairments
and even
short term
problems
such as
accidents
Using
protecting
systems such
as ear masks
Key
1- Very Least possibility of occurrence
2- Least possibility of occurrence
3- Moderate possibility of occurrence

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 13
4- High possibility of occurrence
5- Very high possibility of occurrence
Conclusion
The construction industry is growing at a high rate, with the new developments in
technology influencing rapid growth. There are big projects which have also been
characterized with increased investment from various quarters, such as nuclear plants,
renewed infrastructure, airport extensions, creek harbors, among other construction projects.
This implies that there increased resulting opportunities for the constructors and the
supporting devices in the construction sector. However, safety and health issues are as well
significant, and it is imperative to develop measures which prevent such from taking place.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION 14
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