HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Health and Safety in Construction Management

Health and Safety in Construction Management

Introduction

Most of the employees in the construction industry work full time, and many work over forty hours a week. In 2002, about one in five workers worked 45 hours or more a week. Construction workers may sometimes work evenings, weekends, and holidays to finish a job or take care of an emergency. Workers in this industry need physical stamina because the work constantly requires prolonged standing, bending, stooping, and working in cramped quarters. They also may be required to lift and carry heavy objects. Exposure to weather is common because much of the work is done outside or in partially enclosed structures.

Construction workers frequently work with potentially hazardous tools and equipment amidst a clutter of building materials; some work on temporary scaffolding or at great heights and in bad weather. So, they are more prone to injuries than are workers in other jobs. In 2002, cases of work-related injury and illness were 7.1 per 100 full-time construction workers, which is drastically higher than the 5.3 rate for the entire private sector (Brian, 19). Workers who do roofing, siding, and sheet metal work experienced the highest injury rates.

In response, employers increasingly call attention to safe working conditions and work habits that reduce the risk of injuries. To avoid damage, employees wear safety clothing, such as gloves and hardhats, and sometimes devices to protect their eyes, mouth, or hearing. (Berman, 9)

Research Methodology & Explanation

Employers should always be prepared for fire, damaging storms, dangerous chemical spills or other unforeseen emergencies by preparing an emergency action plan to ensure the safety of their employees.

Workers should receive proper training to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities. Thunderstorms can be a noteworthy hazard for construction employees who are working outdoors, and the National Weather Service provides helpful information about how to avoid lightning and strong winds. To learn more about lightning safety outdoors, Employers should train their employees on how to respond to forthcoming storms.

According to the weather service, lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain in a thunderstorm. If thunder can be heard, then workers should seek safe shelter immediately because they are already within striking distance.

Training is Key to Safety on the Job Site

A full safety training and education program must be set up to ensure that all your workers, subs, vendors and invited visitors know exactly what safe work practices you require,” according to training materials developed by NAHB and the NAHB Research Center in conjunction with OSHA.

According to the literature provided in the book Construction Safety Program Manual by NAHB Labor, Safety and Health Services in 1999, with the current labor situation, builders and subcontractors cannot assume that their workers know how to properly and safely operate power tools or pneumatic nailers or what chemicals on the job site they need to watch out for. (NAHB, 1999)

Builders should consider the following pointers in their efforts to train and educate their workers:

Take a ...