Causes of Construction Site Accidents

Ca phthisiss of Construction Site AccidentsThe gimmick pains is non just now cognise as an assiduity which is contr strikeing rapidly scarcely it is grapplen for its high uply perilous activities as well. In Malaysia, professous whole shebang on expression grades that get along hazards ar taken as a critical issue. E actually single year, whirl rifleers atomic amount 18 among the mint who be unceasingly to commove caught in happenings. This serious caper has defecated them to quest in bleak injuries and some(prenominal)what of them a resembling build been killed. In the past few years, the plait exertion has gained a lot of profits by buildings that retain been constructed development latest advanced technologies, just somehow the gum elastic measures on situate still world neglected. Despite of delays of the social system progress and difficulties in repairing of whole caboodle and machineries that cost lots of money to be spent, but of these argon whole- while to the loss of the human life.The destruction penalty of a strait-laced and effective health and golosh policy on construction site is very all important(p) for a builder. The hazards moldiness be clearly understood by all the force play hammer ons on site specially those who hold a high position in a project. Proper fealty and trouble by every singularnel tail end help in cut down hazards and cerebrovascular accidents in the on the antic(p) environment other than knowing their own responsibilities on site. Every party in the construction attention similarly should ensn be gum elastic device measures as their main priority during the preliminary stage until the period of a control out or construction project.The construction industry is very much portrayed with negative images such as dirty, stark and difficult or parklandly known as the 3D. Whenever a construction related social occasion is be discussed, bulk bequeath c onduct these thoughts embedded in their minds. This provide make people feel uninterested to be complex or work in the construction field and finally pull up stakesing in escape of workforce in this industry. Thus, the invulnerableguard measures on site indigence to be alterd in order to eliminate this mindset and to come upon a proficientr working environment. Each party as well trains to make forceful actions in ensuring an effective rubber eraser and health measures argon organism nice on site to preserve the nigh(a) image of the construction industry in the prospective.1.2 Problem StatementThe standard of rubber measures in construction industry in Malaysia has lagged behind if comp bed to whatsoever other industries. This scenario makes it hard to achieve zero accidents and developing a sentry duty culture among the force play working on construction site. In the real construction practice, it was run a background knowledge that the preventative program i mplementation by majority of construction companies were only at the early stage. This clearly shows that these companies do not have a safety program driven by a safety culture (Abd Hamid Abd Majid, 2006)Although a lot of contribution to the national economy comes from construction industry, the number of accidents, sequents, injuries and fatalities argon still r to distributively oneing a high(prenominal) rate (Hinze, 1997). For some employers or clients, the implementation of safety solicitude system is often believed to cost more(prenominal) in a project and they make it as a less(prenominal) c at a timentrated matter on construction site. This is why safety records atomic number 18 often being focused be consume of its unsatisfactory performance due to safety being neglected and has not been taken systematically. Safety aspects argon considered very crucial especially in a construction project but unfortunately there are still many another(prenominal) employers do n ot feel that it is one of the keys to the success of companies. It is besides known that the personality of the construction industry requires physical demand and harsh deeds, make it an industry with higher risk of suffering other than the insufficiency of knowingness on the responsibilities of each parties involve in a project to maintain the safety performance. Hence, the implementation of safety measure should not be taken lightly as it is an important element in keeping the construction site a better and safer place to work.In order to decrease the jobsite risk and rectify safety measures, this enquiry result be carried out to position the gross causes of accidents that contributing to the high rate of accidents on construction and to emphasize on the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in this industry. question Aim and Objectives1.3.1 AimThe aim of this enquiry is to know the signifi lavce of practicing and applying safety measures so that it fucking crea te awareness to the people who are working in the construction industry especially the precaution on how safety plays an important role in decrease accidents on site.1.3.2 ObjectivesThe three objectives are to be achieved in this investigate are listed as on a lower floorTo consume the miscellaneous causes of accidents that occurred on construction siteThis objective is to examine out the causes of this difficulty so that it lowlife be solved from the stock more well and efficiently.To assess what are the roles and responsibilities of each parties in construction industry on improving the standard of safety on site and how they can reduce the number of accidentsThis objective is to know the relationship between their roles and responsibilities with safety performance and how it ensures the site safety is implemented.To visualize the ways to improve the site safety practice involved in the construction site in Klang Valley.This objective is generate ideas, ways and methods to improve the safety measures on site1.4 Scope and Limitation of StudyThis research volition only focus on the construction sites based more or less Klang Valley. Areas of study are limited to identifying the causes of accidents on construction site the worrys of insecure equipment and machineries, job site terminal figures, human factor and others. anyhow that, a study on the roles and responsibilities of conglomerate parties involved in the construction industry lead also be do. The parties to be involved in this study are from the paymaster of a project or the employer and up to the professional bodies of this industry such as Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).1.5 Research MethodologyIn order to gain data for this research, various methods to convey necessary breeding regarding safety and health measures in the construction industry forget be through. The information gathered is used to assist in the under rest of the causes that lead to the effectuati on of accidents on construction site and the roles and responsibilities of various parties in the construction industry. The methods that will be used for this research are surveys, literature review and analyzing the information.Stage 1 Topic selectionIn this stage, the offset matter that needs to be done is to identify problems occurring in this industry. Problem which is prevalent and close frequently arise will be chosen as the research topic. Then, literature review based on the topic selected is carried out by acquiring information from the antecedent research done by other people.Stage 2 Study propositionDuring the due south stage, determining the aim and objectives of this research is important. It allows the research to achieve the designate so that the main problem can be solved and eliminated. overly that, the scope of the study is also specified to let the readers know the country of study that will be pass over and not to be covered in this research.Stage 3 D ata gathering and processing uncreated DataIn order to get practical information that can land to this research, surveys will be conducted. Survey questionnaires will be distributed to personnel working on site such as project manager, safety officer, site supervisor and others to get valuable insight into the risk and hazards involved on construction site. A practical view from them is of utmost enormousness to obtain information which is not available in books. This is also an luck to interact with the people involved in the construction field. The information that need to be obtain in the survey are resembling the causes of accident to happen in the construction site, what accident cases are often being describe and the role and function of each parties to improve the site safety in construction.Secondary DataSecondary data can be obtained by finding sources and information in a library. Some of the libraries that will be the place to conduct this method are the library in Tunku Abdul Rahman College and the public library. The sources that will be used in the library are articles, textbooks, journals and magazines. The authors name, year of publication, title, place of publication and publisher of the book will be indicated in the research for referencing purpose.Internet is also one of the best sources to get information about safety on construction site. Relevant materials and information can be easily obtained in the internet because the application is huge and unlimited. Information such as statistics of accidents occurred on site and latest intelligence on the construction safety and health issues also may be obtained from internet searching.Chapter II CAUSES OF CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS2.1 IntroductionOn the construction site, workers are exposed to hazardous works and dealing with such works everyday is something unwashed for them. Safety First is a very popular phrase that can be found on most construction site but it does not being put under first priority as it is stated in signboards and posters. at that place is no love why the accident rates on construction sites are getting higher each year. Statistics also have proven that the number of deaths caused by accidents in construction industry has surpassed all other industry. The chart below shows the number of victims involved in death cases that have been investigated by the plane section of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) up until December 2010.In this chapter, identifying the various causes of accidents will be the primary objective as it helps in generating ideas in improving safety measures on site.2.2 Definitions2.2.1 AccidentAccident can be defined as an unplanned, uncontrolled event which has led to or could have led to injury to people, damage to plant, machinery or the environment and/or some other loss. The controlling of work situation by providing safe curbs and press on the use of safe working method and procedures is the way of accident prevention.2.2.2 HazardHazard is a source, situation or feature in the workplace that has the potential to injury the health and safety of people or to damage plant and equipment. The situation could involve a task, chemical or equipment used.2.2.3 SafetySafety can be defined as the theatrical role of being safe and the freedom from danger or risk where people are protected against physical, occupational or other types of harm, error, failure, accidents or any event which is non-desirable. The controlling of hazards to achieve an acceptable take aim of risk also can be the definition of safety.2.3 Unsafe Acts and Conditions2.3.1 Unsafe ActsUsually, accidents at work occur either due to unprotected acts and unguaranteed conditions. There is no general agreement on the definition of an unsafe act. However, it has been defined in similar focus on unaccepted practices which have the potential of producing future accidents and injuries. early(a) definition of unsafe act that ing estn by previous researcher is unsafe act is an action deviates from generally recognised safe way of doing a job and ex ranges the chance of an accident (Stranks, 2000).Unsafe acts can be classified into dickens types either as errors or violations (Reason, 1990). tally to most accident reports, the errors are to be found as a major contributor to accidents. Meanwhile, violations are less common. There are two conditions where unsafe acts may occur. Firstly, workers do not know while they are acting unsafely. Secondly, they know while they are acting unsafely. For the first situation, the problem can be easily solved by providing safety training to the worker, supervise them closely, providing impregnable work system design, etc. The reasons for the workers to act unsafely for the second case is more complex because it could be due to various factors the likes of personality of the workers, influence by coworkers, the extent of managerial support and the nature of the job being undertaken. Although workers are fully aware that they are working unsafely, they still want to carry on with such unsafe acts.There are various acts that are considered unsafe. Those acts areWorking without authority on the job can cause accidents since unauthorized workers may deprivation of skills and unacquainted(predicate) with the job process.Failure to secure coworkers or to warn about the danger is an unsafe act because many accidents occur while workers are salaried less attention to warn and secure coworkers who are exposed to accidents occurrence when working.Working at improper speeds, exceeding the prescribed speed limits or unsafe speed actions could cause accidents.Not placing and stacking the materials properly in dangerous locations will cause unpredicted accidents to happen.The utilization of tools and equipment, hand tools, power tools and machinery which is done inaccurately may result in accidents.Executing work by development sorry equipment and tools.Re fusing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) will increase the probability of getting injured.Smoking which creates sparks in areas where flammable materials are stored could cause explosions.Throwing or accidentally dropping objects from high levels could expose other workers being struck by the object and cause head injury.Improper attitude for tasks like workers making shortcuts by climbing or jumping from high levels instead of using ladders.Servicing equipment which is under achievement.2.3.2 Unsafe ConditionsAn unsafe condition is a condition in which the physical layout of the workplace or work location, the status of tools, equipment and material baffle the safety standards. Some examples of unsafe conditions include open sided floors, big ladders, improperly constructed scaffolds, protruding ends of reinforcing rods, protruding nails and wire ties, defective equipment, ungrounded galvanizing tools and many others.In most accidents occurred on construction site, u nsafe conditions are the main cause contributing to an accident. It is distinguished that that unsafe conditions are divided into two types according to when they occurred during the sequence of work and who caused them to exist and develop (Abdelhamid Everett, 2000). The unsafe condition may exist in different situations which are out front an operation is started and another one is develop after an activity is started. The occurrence of these two types of unsafe conditions is due to some other causes like actions and inactions by the trouble Team and worker or coworker unsafe acts.2.3.2.1 Actions and Inactions by Management TeamAmong the example of Management Team actions and inactions that lead to unsafe condition on site are they fail to provide proper and adequate personal protective equipment to the workers, fail to maintain or safety tools and equipment, violating the workplace standards such as ignoring slippery floors that can cause psyche to fall, insufficient ventil ation leaving the workers to choke, poor housekeeping and others. Workers are also sometimes requested to perform tasks that exceed the human capabilities or violate the human factors, ergonomics and the principles of industrial hygiene. This request which made unintentionally by the Management Team will expose the worker to unsafe condition of the site and eventually leads to injuries and illness.2.3.2.2 Coworker Unsafe ActInexperienced worker or coworker in working on the site will tend to act unsafe when handling a task which may lead to unsafe conditions for other workers. Unsafe condition will exist when these inexperienced workers doing their job recklessly like removing machine safeguards, working while intoxicated where they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, working with less concentration due to insufficient sleep, neglecting the housekeeping rules, executing works where they do not have the authorization to do so, etc.2.3.2.3 Site Layout unfortunate site layout in construction site is also contributing to the unsafe condition factor. It was describe that insufficient working space was a problem in a number of accident studies (Hide et al., 2003). Sometimes, the commencement of the build prior to the completion of demolition is blocking the space allocation on site resulting in number of reorganizations of site layout to fulfill the changing of the build plan. Other than that, space constraints can restrict the allocation of floor area for workshop placement, footpaths, sto frenzy, parking purvey and adequacy of space transport routes. This will cause constriction to the agency for vehicle to access the drop-off points and effect on the traffic immix on site and interrupt the ease of receiving deliveries where it leads to a subsequent need for double handling materials. It also will make the routes to become differentiate and may cause accidents where vehicles can overturn and hit the workers in the surround area.2.3.2.4 Ground Condit ionsGround conditions are one of the risk factor for accidents. The common problem that is always found is raised structures on the walking push through that can create trip hazards. Some examples of trip hazards are electrical cables, ply board used as a temporary manhole cover and raised setting out points. It is hard for the workers to be aware of these hazards because most of the time they were coloured black, grey or brown instead of being marked or coloured.2.3.2.5 Poor HousekeepingGood housekeeping is upmost the important thing to be considered to ensure the site is safe. Unfortunately, many sites found these days did not put housekeeping into their priority. Everyone on the site must do their part to ensure that the site is clean and orderly. Although, there are workers that felt that clearing up the site is the responsibility of other people who had created the mess or up to the Contractor to undertake it. This situation will make great housekeeping hard to achieve. As w e know, the most common types of injuries that occur on site are slips, trips and falls which are also contributed by poor housekeeping. Accidents happened due to unorganized material will result in workers suffer cuts from materials and materials fall down striking workers head resulting in head injury.2.4 Accidents by Equipments and MachineriesOn construction site, workers are required to use different types of equipments and machineries to ease the work that need to be done. By using these equipments every day, workers tend to put themselves at great risk for injury when they are using construction equipments. The equipments also can be defective and will cause the person using them or another person on site to be injured or killed. The defective equipments and machineries are required to be immediately tagged to indicate that they are disgraced and remove from the construction area. However, the tags will sometimes come off and workers will not usually stop to walk away from t heir working area. Finally, soulfulness may pick up and use back the defective equipments or machineries that make them involved in accidents.2.4.1 ScaffoldingThe usage of scaffolding is requisite in a construction project to get workers to a higher level of the building structure when they are executing a work. As much as it is useful to workers, it is also very dangerous and hazardous. Statistics reported that 28% of the accidents involving scaffold are caused by construction deficiencies. Among the deficiencies happened are because of the usage of substandard components, omitting essential components and failure to complete the assembly of scaffold. (OSHA, 2003). The people who are exposed to the scaffolding hazards are the ones who erecting the scaffold themselves, the workers that are button to use it when doing works and the general public near the scaffold.Scaffolding accidents usually will involve either people move, incorrect operating procedures, environmental conditio ns, the scaffold open and/or people being struck by falling objects from the scaffold itself (Berry, 2011). There will be objects that fall to the ground because workers who work using scaffold will bring along some of equipment together with them such as paint and other related supplies, tools like hammers, screwdriver and also widow cleaning equipment. When there is a worker on the scaffold, it will not only cause harm to that worker but also to those who are on the ground with serious injury by getting hit by the scaffolding or other falling objects.Scaffoldings are usually kept outside which exposed to the environment. This can cause the scaffoldings to deteriorate. Scaffolds are often being reported to be in good condition by inspection and maintenance before they collapsed. This is because it is hard to honor corrosion of the internal surface of tubular scaffolds. Other causes of accidents of scaffoldings areUnsecure scaffoldingPoor or careless constructionUse of poor refer ence of damaged material missing or malfunctioning brakesMissing or malfunctioning fall safety systemsLack of or naughtily conducted safety inspections2.4.2 CraneThe usage of put out is one of the major causes of fatalities during constructing a building and accidents often happen when lifting operation is executed. The occurrence of fatalities during put out operation still continue to increase although ongoing research and recommendations to reduce this problem have been done for the past several decades (Beavers et al., 2006).The most common types of crane accidents involve the crane coming into contact with electrical power lines. crash electrical power lines present a serious electrocution hazard to workers on site. The most common means of electric power transmittal and distribution is the overhead line which normally made of uninsulated conductors supported on tower or poles. It is likely to come in contact with a crane because it is placed in a high position. When a cra ne is contacting with energized overhead line, it becomes elevated to a high voltage that can cause harm to the crane operator (Sacks et al., 1998). Severe injury or death from electrocution is the risks that need to be faced by the operator and anyone standing nearby if this catastrophe happens.The crane rigger also can contribute to an accident. Workers or bystanders are exposed to rigging crane accidents when the material affiliated to the load block or headache ball fall onto them. Besides that, heavy loads that exceed the limitations and stability of a crane will result in structural failure, causing the crane to tip and collapse over the operator and other workers below it.2.4.3 ExcavatorThe massive size, tip and power of an excavator will place an operator or workers at high risk of serious injury when there is an accident happens caused by excavator.The most common accident caused by excavator will involve quick-hitch. A quick-hitch is device used to make connection and re moval of bond certificate such as buckets and rock breakers of the excavator. The risk arise from the quick-hitch is the gulf of the accompaniment resulting works to be loose and falls from the excavator (Edwards, 2007). This incident can cause crucial injury or even worst, death, if the concomitant such as heavy buckets are detached and fall onto the workers nearby.Other causes of quick-hitch accidents that involve unintentional release of the attachment arethe failure to fix the quick-hitch properly due to carelessnessfailure to use any thirdhand locking devicepoor maintenance of locking mechanismattachment being surchargeed.Even though the cause of an accident can be obvious at first, there are also some root causes of excavator accidents that need to be identify such aslack or inadequate training given to the operatorinadequate surveillance by supervisors during excavation works are executedpoorly clever ground workersworkers encroach the excavator operating area while it is working2.5 Poor Management SystemIt is necessary to have a good management system in a construction project as it can generate an organizational setting in which workers will be trained and motivated to perform safe and productive construction work. Unfortunately, many management systems fail to be responsible in creating outline procedures to identify and eliminate hazards and eventually letting personnel involve in unwanted accidents.2.5.1 Poor Safety PolicyNowadays, it is common to see Site Management not establishing an effective safety policy. Safety policy is important in a construction company stress on the principles and goals to show the companys commitment to workplace health and safety (CSAO, 1993). Less awareness on the importance of having safety policy is why there are big rime of management did not implement it.When there is no effective safety policy made by the management, personnel on site tend to execute their work in a dangerous way because they do not ha ve a proper guideline in safe working methods which may lead them to be exposed to risks and hazards in the construction site environment. By not having a safety policy, accidents that occurred will not only harm the personnel, but it will make the company homely a high financial risk. This situation is likely to happen because the management fails to provide support for safety programmes where it is considered as a need since an accident were proved to be costly. A better safety performance is also hard to achieve because management system does not have the responsibility to provide a safe work site for all personnel because the key in achieving that is to have viability and participation by the management (Sawacha et al, 1999).2.5.2 Poor OrganisingAmong all of the functions safety management, the most important one is to designate someone with responsibilities so that the construction safety programme and plan can be implemented successfully.Without having a well planned organi sation, the management will find it hard to execute monitoring on policy implementation, to determine the roles of safety committees and safety representative, and to portray health and safety responsibilities in every individual job descriptions. The unsatisfied involvement and commitment by both management and workers also makes the safety policy to be less effective (Holt, 2001). attempt fault and correcting action being taken can hardly be done causing less improvement to the safety performance because the safety representative is also not well-trained due to poor organisation (Sawacha et al., 1999). The safety performance will only be at the same level without any improvement when companies with poor organisation fail in providing effective safety committees where they play a positive role in this matter (Sawacha et al., 1999).2.6 Other Factors2.6.1 Personal Factors2.6.1.1 LazinessTaking shortcuts in doing works that being assigned are done by most workers because they want to ward off extra activities (Hall, 1995). Sometimes, workers feel that it is troublesome for them to choose the right tool during work so it is preferable to them to work with the equipment casualty tools.2.6.1.2 Past ExperienceFor workers that have been working in a company for a long time and having to perform a similar job, it is hard for them to change or give up the way they do things. This is actually not recommended because the old dress can increase the possibilities of accidents to happen by preventing them from noticing the hazards (Kittleson, 1995).2.6.1.3 Doing Works in a HurrySometimes supervisors want the works to be done as fast as possible which gives pressure to some workers and leading them getting the works complete in a hurry. In order for the workers to just time finishing the works, he or she may abandon the good safety practices (Stice, 1995).2.6.1.4 Being AngryAngry is sometimes uncontrollable and makes someone not to be caution, leading him or her to be i nvolved in accidents. To identify when someone is angry is by noticing that person is sweating, tremble and corrasion the teeth. Anger that cannot be resolved will cause distraction, proneness to accidents, anxiety, rage and violence (Kittleson, 1995).2.6.1.5 OverconfidenceHaving confidence is important for every worker and it is a good thing, but overconfidence can bring more harm than good. A person with an attitude of thinking that he or she will never involve in an accident will lead to wrong procedures or methods and cause injury (Hirsch, 1998).2.6.2 Job Factors2.6.2.1 Work OverloadWorkers can develop high stress especially when they are asked to do works more that what they could handle together with the pressure due to deadline. Work overload can be divided into two different forms which are quantifiable overload where workers are asked to do more works, and qualitative overload where the workers lack of belief that they do not have the skills to get the work done (Greenber g Baron, 2000)2.6.2.2 Work UnderloadStress can also arise when someone is being asked to do too little work. There are two types of work underload which are quantitative underload where a person feels bored from having little work to do, and qualitative underload where a person is lack of mental stimulation like routines and repetitive jobs (Greenberg Baron, 2000).2.6.2.3 Time PressureWorkers will get overwhelmed and worry once they felt that they are unable to finish a work before the deadlines (Stranks, 2000). Moreover, when there is a change in the work process and workers are not given sufficient time to complete it, they will easily become stressed.