OSHA – Page 2 – Construction POC

Top 6 Construction Site Hazards!

Posted on April 16, 2018 by blogger

Construction sites are considered the most potentially hazardous and accident-prone parts of any working environment. Excessive exposure to these construction site hazards exposes workers to injury and possible death. To prevent this, a company should know how to identify and be aware of all possible dangers that can be encountered during normal business operations. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) wants every employee to have sound knowledge of their susceptibility to harm or injury in the workplace.

Listed below are the top six construction site hazards identified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

1. Electrical- Electricity is one of the greatest hazards to people either at home or at work. Power line workers, electricians and electrical engineers work continuously with electricity and can face exposure to this hazard on a daily basis. At the construction site, the best way to prevent this kind of hazard is for the power line workers to be a safe working distance away from the power lines. Other precautionary measures includes guarding and insulating of the vehicle from which they might work. This would help prevent electrical hazards from injuring them while working.

2. Excavation and Trenching OSHA has recognized excavation and trenching as the most hazardous construction site operation. From the year 2000 to 2006, the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics (USBLS) recorded 271 worker fatalities in trenching and cave-ins. These hazards are preventable yet injuries related to these hazards are still happening. Both employer and employee must follow safety standards and use protective equipment to minimize hazards while trenching and excavating.

3. Falls – Falling from scaffolding over six feet or a fixed ladder over twenty feet is the most dangerous and common construction site hazard. Falling from high places such as a ladder, scaffolding and roofs account for more than fifty percent of the accidents that happen at the workplace. The usual cause of this incident is slipping, tripping and using unstable ladders. There are thousands of reasons for fall hazards and to eliminate such risks, employers must have a fall protection program as part of any overall workplace safety and health program. Workers should be trained to identify and evaluate fall hazards and be fully aware of how to control exposure to such risks as well as know how to use fall protection equipment properly.

4. Stairways and Ladder – According to OSHAs construction safety and health standards, stairways and ladders are major sources of injuries and fatalities among construction workers. These recorded injuries are serious enough to put a worker out on sick leave. OSHA registered approximately 24,882 injuries and 36 fatalities yearly that are related to falling from stairways and ladders used at the construction site. To prevent such accidents and injuries, employers and employee must comply with OSHAs general rule for the safe use of ladders and stairways.

5. Scaffolding – Every year, approximately 60 workers die by falling from scaffolding; one out of five construction site falls are fatal. The most potential risk of scaffolding is due to moving scaffold components; scaffold failure related to damage to its components; loss of the load; being struck by suspended materials; electrical shock; and improper set-up. Construction workers who assemble and dismantle scaffolding and work platforms at construction sites face the risk of serious injuries due to falls. The scaffolding hazard is addressed by stated OSHA standards. They give specific requirements for the maximum load, when to use scaffolding, bracing and the use of guardrails.

6. Heavy Construction Equipment – Approximately 100 construction site workers die each year due to heavy construction equipment. The main causes of such accidents includes: ground workers struck when a vehicle is backing up or changing direction; equipment rollovers that injure the operator; mechanics run over when brakes are not properly set; and ground workers crushed by falling equipment from backhoes, buckets, and other moving construction vehicles. To prevent this kind of risk, workers should follow all construction safety guidelines necessary to eliminate the exposure to such injuries and accidents.

Safety risks on construction site are unavoidable; however, these can be prevented if workers are instructed on how to identify the hazards that might be present at the work-site. The employer must establish proper safety standards that meet the maximum requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This will ensure that workers will have a safe working environment during normal operation.

This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of construction site risks; however, these top six items are certainly important ones that all construction site employers should be aware of and continually working to eliminate them from happening.

The Facts About Construction Management

Posted on March 18, 2018 by blogger

In simple terms a construction manager or supervisor is responsible for running the whole or part of a construction site. Also known as site or building manager, he or she will make sure a scheme is completed safely, on time and within budget.

Construction management typically encompasses multi-unit residential sites or commercial building sites, but not usually single-family residential building sites. Construction management of the site may be maintained by a general contractor or a separate entity who answerrs to the developer and is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the project from beginning to end.

A manager on a modest site might have full responsibility for the whole task. On larger sites, you may be in charge of a certain section and report to a senior site manager.

During a ordinary project, construction management personnel are responsible for overseeing each phase of construction and resolving any discrepancies in original blueprint design and actual implementation. Construction management personnel are likewise accountable for the cost of a project and must monitor material and labour cost. They may work with one or more project managers, architects, and site-specific superintendents, often in both an office and hardhat environment simultaneously. As well as overseeing the physical construction phases of a project, construction management must also be familiar with design and construction laws — including OSHA regulations and building codes — and serve as a point of contact for all issues. Equally important is delivering each phase of a project within a given time frame and budget.

The construction manager will often work with construction management software to organise efficient delivery and storage of construction material whilst making sure safety measures have been put in place.

Finally, the client will need to be kept informed at all stages in the construction process. Lots of work is done outside on site.

Even though many construction workers have never needed qualifications before, the only way they are finding themselves untouched by the current financial crisis, is by having the qualifications to back up their experience.

There are specialist management construction courses available for all staff of specialist companies with any direct responsibility for supervising the carrying out of work on site plus site supervisors, contract supervisors, contract managers, project managers and sales engineers. These courses look at documentation and procedures and other related legal and contractual aspects relevant to the work of specialist construction companies. They also give a comprehensive practical review of sub contract provisions. Courses are available with particular emphasis on record keeping and good contractual “housekeeping”. They also provide extensive briefing on key contractual aspects of supervising or managing work on site.

Construction management firms vary in size, and some provide their services exclusively to smaller general contractors. Large construction companies generally hire their own construction management personnel. The earning potential for construction management varies by region, but can easily reach six figures with experience and reputation for effectively managing larger, multi-million dollar projects. The best way to increase your earning capacity in today’s financially unstable climate is to enrol on a management construction course.

Fire safety for the construction industry

Posted on December 2, 2017 by blogger

It is crucial that health and safety guidelines are adhered to at all times within the construction industry. Following health and safety legislation ensures that a site is a safe place to carry out work for everyone.

Failure to comply with health and safety regulations can lead to severe sanctions. Fines as well as more serious sanctions can be imposed on employers who neglect their duty. If you are looking for the highest level of training there is, the Construction Skills (CITB) Site Safety Plus range of courses are the best you will find. CITB have a number of different courses that are thought of highly within the construction industry.

The best way for any employer in the industry to ensure they fully uphold their duty under the legislation is to send staff on a Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course. The quality of the training delivered on a SMSTS course gives great advantage to professionals in construction. The SMSTS courses are targeted at management and supervisors in particular but training is also suitable for any other employees who are in charge of managing any kind of construction related tasks. Site Management Safety Training Scheme courses provide the latest training in essential health and safety skills allowing course candidates to shape and build on their awareness.

SMSTS courses are attended by approximately 10,000 people each year. It is a five day course. You may find a number of training establishments offering the course one day a week over a five week period. This is a useful alternative for businesses that struggle to manage the loss of employees for a solid five days Many companies request to have staff trained at the place of work in an appropriate space, making it far more convenient for and travel and food expenses. Construction, one of the largest industries in the United States is also one of the most hazardous.

OSHA, the regulator for safety and health issues in the work place, requires that all construction sites be inspected by a certified Construction Safety Coordinator before and during use. Inspections are to benefit those working at the construction site and those that will be around, driving by or utilizing the same work place. Though anyone with enough time and effort can become a construction safety coordinator, it is not unusual for construction workers who have previously worked on the job, contractors and/or those associated with construction to slip into this position.

OSHA offers outreach training programs to certify those interested in becoming a Construction Safety Coordinator. Basic classes include General Industry Safety, Physical Hazards in Construction, Healthy Hazards and Emergency Preparedness, and OSHA Citation and Record Keeping Policies. To earn these; classes, exams and basic knowledge are expected. Classes do require payment, time and effort. In addition, many states have regulations that must be met depending upon environmental or specific issues.