Unsafe and Unhealthy Acts

and Conditions

Common Reasons for Accidents

Layman’sversion:

•‘Oras na kasi niya, hayaan na siyang

mamahinga!’

•‘Kasama sa trabaho yan!’

These are not real causes - - -only EXCUSES

Immediate CAUSES of accidents

ACCIDENT 1. Unsafe /Unhealthy ACTS
An occurrence or event that is unexpected/ • A human action that departs from a
unforeseen, unplanned and unwanted. standard or written job procedure or
common practice, safety rules, regulations,
▪ loss; damage
or instructions.
▪ injury
• A violation of a commonly-accepted safe
▪ death procedures and or processes.

Work place Hazards Examples of Unsafe Acts

Safety Hazards • Operating equipment without authority

•Something that has a potential for injury • Removing safety devices

Health Hazards • Using Defective equipment

•Something that has a potential to cause • Improper/Non-use of PPE

illness
• Horseplaying

• Working while under the influence of

alcohol or drugs
Factors Contributing to Unsafe Acts • Congested / blockedexits

• Improper Attitude • Inadequate warning systems

Operating equipment without authority • Slippery floors

Disregard of SOP or instructions • Hazardous atmospheric condition

Removing safety devices • Excessive noise

Using defective equipment • Extreme temperature

Not using PPE issued for the job • Inadequate illumination/ ventilation

Horseplaying

Willful intent to injure

• Physical Limitations

Defective eyesight

Muscular weakness due to fatigue

Impaired hearing

Short in height

Too tall in height Generally...

Slow reactions •98% - preventable

• Lack of Knowledge or Skills 88% -unsafe / unhealthy ACTS

Failure to understand instruction 10% -unsafe/unhealthy CONDITIONS

Unaware of safe practices •2% - non-preventable

Safe practices are not understood

Unskilled or unpracticed

2. Unsafe / Unhealthy CONDITIONS

• The physical or chemical property of a
material, machine or the environment that
may result in injury to a person, damage or
destruction to property and other losses;

• Could have been guarded or prevented. Conclusion:

Examples of Unsafe Conditions Both the human and the technical factors of
accident causation should be addressed.
• Inadequate guards/protection
A comprehensive OSH program is needed to
• Defective tools, equipment prevent accidents from happening.
 The DOLE is the lead agency Power
of the government in charge Article 162 of the LCP
in the administration and
Secretary of Labor should:
enforcement of laws, policies,
• set mandatory standards and
and programs on
occupational safety and • enforce such standards
health. Article 164 of the LCP
( Legal basis: Presidential Decree No. 442, Secretary of Labor should:
Art. 165 LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES)
• develop and implement training programs;

• increase no. & competence of OSH

personnel.

Article 165 of the LCP

• DOLE solely responsible for

administration and enforcement of

OSH laws, regulations, and

standards

• But, chartered cities may conduct

industrial safety inspections.

Article 128 of the LCP

1.Inspectors have access to employer

records and premises

• at any time when work is undertaken

• can copy such records

Policy Framework • can question workers
1. Labor Code of the Philippines 2.Can order compliance of labor laws
• Art. 162 – mandatory OSH Standards (after due notice and hearing)

• Art. 164 –OSH Trainings 3.Secretary can order stoppage of work

• Art. 165 – administration and or suspension of operations in

enforcement imminent danger cases.
• Art. 128 – visitorial and enforcement
 • Shall follow all instructions by the employer
incompliance with the OSHS provisions.

 Rule 1020 - Registration of

Establishments
• Every employer shall register his/her
business with the

Regional Labor Office to provide the DOLE

with information as guide in its enforcement
activities.
OSHSTANDARDS
• Free of charge
A set of mandatory rules on OSH which
• Valid for lifetime, except when there is
codifies all safety orders issued prior to its
change in name, location, ownership;
promulgation.
opening after previous closing
 Rule 1000 – General Provisions
❖ Requirements : IP Form3
Rule 1005: Duties of the Employer
 R u l e 1030 - Training and
• Furnish his workers a place of Accreditation of OSH Personnel
employment free from hazardous • Employer to appoint a safety officer on a
full-time or part-time basis depending on the
conditions.
type of workplace (whether hazardous or
• Give complete job safety instructions to non-hazardous) and a number of workers in
the workplace.
all his workers.
R u l e 1030 - Training and
• Use only approved devices and equipment
in his workplace Accreditation of OSH Personnel

• Comply with the requirements of the Duties of Safety Officers

Standards.
• Advice the employer, supervisors and
 R u l e 1000 - General Provisions workers on OSH

Rule 1005: Duties of Workers • Investigate accidents

• Each worker shall cooperate with the • Coordinate safety training programs
employer in carrying out the provisions of • Conduct safety and health inspections
the Standards:
• Maintain accident records system
• Shall report any work hazard in the
workplace. • Provide assistance to government agencies
in the conduct of health and safety
• Shall make proper use of all safeguards & inspection, accident investigation or any
safety devices furnished for his protection other related programs
&the protection of others.
A full-time safety officer must be duly
accredited by the DOLE

The employment of a full-time safety officer

may not be required if the employer enters
into a written contract with a qualified
consultant or consulting organization whose
duties and responsibilities shall be the duties
of a safety practitioner as stated in this Rule.
The employment of a consultant, however,
will not excuse the employer from the
required training of his supervisors or  Duties of Health and Safety
technical personnel. Committee o Plans and develops
accident prevention program
 R u l e 1040 – Health and Safety  Directs the accident prevention
Committee efforts.
 Provides necessary assistance to
The Health and Safety Committee (OSH
government inspecting authorities o
Committee) is a group of employees and
Initiates and supervises safety
management personnel which plans and
trainings for employees
develops policies in all matters pertaining to
safety and health in the work place  Develops and maintains a disaster
contingency plan
Rule 1042 – Types and Composition of OSH

Committee

Chairperson

Manager or his authorized representative

Secretary

Safety Officer (trained as required by OSHS)

Members

Department Heads, Supervisors, Foremen

Workers (if unionized, must be union

members) Company Physician, Nurse/First
Aider
  RULE1050 - Notification &  Rule 1960: Occupational
Keeping Records of Accidents Health Services
and/or Occupational Illnesses

1053.01: Notification - All work accidents

or occupational

illnesses, resulting in disabling conditions

or dangerous occurrences shall be
reported by the employer to the Regional
Labor Office

❖ If a major work accident results in 1961: General Provisions

death or permanent total disability,
employer shall initially notify the Regional
Labor Office within 24hours. 1. Every employer shall establish in his
1054: Keeping of Records - The employer place of employment
shall maintain and keep an accident or
occupational health services in
illness record which shall be open at all
accordance with the regulation &
times for inspection by authorized guidelines provided for under this rule.
personnel.

RULE1050
2. The employer, workers, & their
• Provides the safety officer means for an
representatives, where they exist, shall
objective evaluation of the program
cooperate & participate in the
• Helps identify high injury rates implementation of the organizational &
other measures relating to occupational
• Provides information on accident causes
which contributes to high injury rates health services.
1963: Emergency Health Services

1963.03: Emergency Hospital

> An employer may not establish an
emergency hospital or dental clinic in his
workplace as required in these regulations
where there is a hospital or dental clinic
which is located not more than five (5)
kilometers away from the workplace, if
situated in any urban area, or which can
be reached in twenty-five (25) minutes of
travel, if situated in rural area, and the
employer has facilities readily available for • 1081.01 - Every employer shall at his
transporting workers to the hospital or own expense furnish his workers with
dental clinic in case of emergency. protective equipment and barriers
whenever necessary.
1963.01: Medicines & Facilities
1963.02: Emergency Medical & Dental
Summary of OSH Administrative
Rules
Services
N otification and Keeping of Records
 R u l e 1070 - Occupational
Health and Environmental of Accidentsand/or Occupational
Control Illnesses (Rule1050)
• The employer shall exert efforts to O ccupational Health Services (Rule
maintain and control the working 1960)
environment in comfortable and healthy
conditions for the purpose of promoting R egistration of business (Rule1020)
and maintaining the health of his workers.
T raining and Accreditation of
✓The employer shall carry out Work
Personnel in OSH (Rule1030)
Environment Measurement (WEM)

where hazardous work is performed and H ealth & Safety Committee

shall keep a record of such (Rule1040)
measurement which shall be made Summary of Reportorial
available to the enforcing authority. Requirements
✓WEM shall include temperature, W ork Accident/Illness Report
humidity, pressure, illumination,
ventilation, concentration of substances (WAIR)
&noise. A nnual ExposureData Report
* The WEM shall be performed (AEDR)
periodically as may be
R eport of Safety Organization (RSO)
necessary but not longer than annually.
M inutes of the Meetings of Health
 R u l e 1080 – Personal
Protective Equipment and and Safety Committee
Devices
A nnual Medical Report (AMR)
• 1081.04 - No person shall be subjected
or exposed to a hazardous environmental
condition without protection.
Enforcement is one response But SAFETY HAZARD HEALTH HAZARD
not the only response!

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH in
the Construction Industry

“Conditions in the workplace that has the

potential to cause harm, including ill
health and injury, damage to property,
product and the environment”

Aims of Occupational Health (ILO/WHO)

“The promotion and maintenance of the
highest degree of physical, mental and
social
well-being of workers in all occupations
by... Factors that Determine Disease
Development
Workplace factors + Workers’
susceptibility
OCCUPATIONAL AND WORK-RELATED Skin absorption
DISEASES

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
AND ITS HEALTH EFFECTS

Health Effects

➢Neurotoxic: Headache, dizziness, drunken

feeling, disorientation, confusion, progressive

(1) Chemical Hazards: loss of consciousness

Organic Solvents, Asphalt. ➢Reproductive: Spontaneous abortion,

Infertility
Lead, Cement, Wood Dusts
➢Liver: Cirrhosis, Cancer
Organic Solvents

Sources ➢Respiratory: Pulmonary Edema

Paints ➢Kidney: Glomerulonephritis

Varnishes ➢Skin Effects: Irritative effects

Adhesives Asphalt

Preservation agents Sources

Entry Paving

Inhalation of vapors Roofing

Concrete work Cement
Entry Occupational Sources
Inhalation of fumes Cement Mfg.
Health effects Construction
Headache, Skin rash, Fatigue, Throat and Entry
eyes irritation, Cough and Skin Cancer
Inhalation
Lead
Skin Absorption
Occupational Sources
Health Effects
Welders
WET POWDER
Solderers
• Skin - irritation
Demolition workers
• Eyes – abrasion, irritation
Painters
DRY POWDER
Entry
• Eyes – irritation
Inhalation
• Respiratory Tract – irritation,
Ingestion
small airway disease,
Health Effects
pneumoconiosis
• Anemia
Wood Dusts
• High blood pressure
Health Effects
• Kidney damage (renal dysfunction)
Irritation of nose, throat and lungs
• Miscarriages
Allergic reactions in the nose, throat, and
• Brain damage
lungs (asthma)
• Infertility

• Symptoms of fatigue, difficulty in

concentration, headache

Prolonged and chronic exposure to asbestos

fibers or silica dust increases the risk of

developing lung cancer

Tobacco smoke increases the risk.

(2) Physical Hazards:
Noise
Vibration
Heat
Vibration (segmental)
Inappropriate Illumination
Health Effects
Radiation
▪ Pain, numbness, tingling of hands
Noise
Health Effects
• Hearing Damage
• Interfere with work performance
• Hypertension
• Hyperacidity
• Palpitations
• Stress-related disorders Vibration (whole body)
Health Effects

▪ Spine disorders

▪ Muscular and joint disorders

▪ Gastrointestinal disturbance
 (3) Biological Hazards:
Clostridium tetani

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Clostridium tetani

Inappropriate Illumination Tetanus Prevention

• Usual Complaints Active immunization with tetanus toxoid
• Visual Fatigue
Careful wound management
• Double Vision
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Headaches
Chronic bacterial infection
• Painful irritation
Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Lacrimation (tubercle bacilli)
• Conjunctivitis Damages the lungs and other body parts
Fatal if not treated properly

90% CURE RATE

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

causes AIDS --

Acquired and not hereditary

Immune system is affected

Deficiency due to the collapse of the immune

system
Preventing HIV Infection
Syndrome referring to the group of
symptoms that characterize a disease Prevent sexual transmission of HIV by
practicing-
Body fluids known to transmit HIV :
➢ Abstinence
▪ Blood

▪ Semen ➢ Being faithful to uninfected partner

▪ Vaginal/Cervical Secretions ➢ Condom use or safer sex (ex. kissing, non-

penetrative)
▪ Breast Milk
Avoid HIV contaminated blood --

➢ Do not inject prohibited drugs

➢ Ensure that blood are screened for HIV

➢ Follow universal precaution measures (ex.

wear gloves when handling infectious
materials, sterilize instruments)

HIV enter the bloodstream thru –

▪ SEXUAL CONTACT - sex with HIV infected

partner

▪ INFECTED BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS -

Ergonomics

transfusions of HIV-infected blood; “The science of fitting jobs to the

puncturing of skin by HIV-contaminated people who work in them”
instruments

▪ MOTHER TO CHILD – infected mother can

pass HIV to baby (pregnancy, delivery or
breastfeeding)
 1. AWKWARD POSTURES
Kneeling/Squatting
2. FORCEFUL EXERTIONS
3. MOVEMENTS
Repetitive
same motion pattern
short cycle time
Extreme range of motion
Twisting, bending

RISK FACTORS: ERGONOMICS

 STATIC POSTURE
 FORCEFUL EXERTION
 REPETITIVE MOVEMENT
 EXTREME RANGE OF MOTION
 AWKWARD POSTURE

LIFTING AND CARRYING

WORK IN WHICH IMPROPER POSTURE IS
MAINTAINED

STRESS
On Workers’ Welfare Facilities:
• Adequate supply of safe drinking water

• Adequate sanitary and washing facilities

• Suitable living accommodation

• Separate sanitary, washing and sleeping

facilities for men and women workers.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND

PROGRAMS

(1) Health Programs

❖A specific plan of action to prevent
work-related disorders and diseases
❖Aims to protect workers’ health
and reduce the cost of illnesses
❖Must include a monitoring system
of workers’ health status
➢ Using sensitive, specific and
reliable tests to detect illnesses
DOLE
Department Order 53-03
Guidelines for the Implementation of a
Drug-Free Workplace Policies and
Programs for the Private Sector
RA 9165

“The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of

2002”
DOLE Effective Workplace Safety &
Health Policies and Programs
Department Order 73-05
➢Can help save the health and lives of
Guidelines for the Implementation of
workers by reducing hazards
Policy and Program on TB Prevention
and Control in the Workplace and their consequences

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 187 ➢Have positive effects on both workers
morale and productivity
“Instituting a Comprehensive and Unified
Policy for the TB Control in the Philippines” ➢Saves money

DOLE SUMMARY
Department Order 102-10 ➢Exposure to workplace hazards may have
ill-effects to the workers’ health
Guidelines for the Implementation of
HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control in ➢Company policies and programs are
the Workplace Program important to protect and monitor workers’
health.
RA 8504
➢Laws, standards and guidelines exist to
“The Philippine AIDS Prevention and promote health and well-being of workers;
Control Act of 1998” serves as legal basis for putting up a health
program
REPUBLIC ACT 9211
➢Workers have roles in the promotion of
Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 their own health by following company
Section 6. Designated Smoking And Non- policies on safety and health, participating in
Smoking Areas the implementation of programs and through
lifestyle modification
• All designated smoking areas shall have at
least one (1) legible and visible sign posted,
namely "SMOKING AREA" for the
information and guidance of all concerned. In
7 MAIN PROBLEMS OF OSH
addition, the sign or note posted shall include IN PHILIPPINES
a warning about the health effects of direct
1 There is low priority given to OSH
or secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke.
Non-smoking areas shall likewise have at 2 Lack of education & training on OSH
least one (1) legible and visible sign, namely: among workers & management.
"NO SMOKING AREA" or "NO SMOKING".
3 Lack of trained OSH personnel.

4 Weak enforcement of OSH Standards

5 Lack of OSH facilities

6 Needs to reinforce information

 7 Statistics does not give reliable data due
to low rate of compliance, absence of
strict penalties, and fragmented BWC
administration.

◼ SAFETY is freedom of oneself from

HAZARDS.

◼ SAFETY is control of hazards to attain an

acceptable level of RISKS.

◼ SAFETY is control of hazards through

INJURY PREVENTION & DAMAGE Laws contain administrative requirements,
CONTROL. general safety & health rules, technical safety
• HAZARDS is anything that may likely regulations & other measures to eliminate or
cause personal injury or damage to reduce hazards in the workplace.
property, or their combination. ✓Laws are meant to be
• RISKS is the degree of exposure or implemented/enforced by the government
chances of exposure to hazards.
✓Laws are meant to be followed by the
ACCIDENT interrupts or disrupts the normal & citizens
orderly progress of any activity & may result
in injury (minor, serious or fatal) to people
and/or damage or destruction of property
that result to losses.

• The immediate causes of accident are the

UNSAFE ACTS and UNSAFE CONDITIONS.

WHY SAFETY?
◼ People causes unsafe acts & unsafe
conditions which are sources of hazards.

◼ Safety must be a way of life. It provides

corrective, preventive & predictive measures
to minimize accidents.

◼ Loss avoidance through systematic

approach in safety management.

◼ Safety is required by LAWS.

A PROFITABILITY – a business must make
money (profit) in order to survive.

B GROWTH – to increase its profit, it must

expand, go into other types of business.

C CONTINUITY – any interruption or

disruption of a business operation will affect
its productivity and profitability. • “SAFETY ...is without doubt, the
most crucial investment we can
make, and the question is not what
it costs us but what it saves.”
◼ COMPANIES are now geared to meet
Frank Bird
customers’ requirements.

◼ Many of them are now working for ISO

Certification Programs on QMS

(ISO 9001:2000), EMS (ISO

14001:2004) & OHSMS (OHSAS

18001:2007).
 Excavation Safety A trench is a type of excavation or depression
in the ground. A trench is generally defined by
An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, being deeper than it is wide
trench, or depression in an earth surface
formed by earth removal. Bulk Excavation, excavation wider than 12
feet (BASEMENT)
Different Types of Excavation
HAZARDS of Excavation Works
Topsoil excavation – is removal of the
exposed layer of the earth’s surface, including 1. Soil Collapse
vegetation. Since the topsoil, or mantle soil, 2. Falling Objects
supports growth of tress and other
vegetation, this layer contains more moisture 3. Under Ground Utilities
than that underneath. So that the lower layer
4. Working Surfaces
will lose moisture and become easier to
handle. 5. Confined Space Conditions

Rock Excavation – is removal of a foundation Principal Causes of Soil Collapse

that cannot be excavated without drilling and
1. Step cutting angle
blasting. Any boulder larger that 1⁄2 yrd
generally is classified as rock. 2. Super imposed load
Earth Excavation– is removal of the layer of 3. Shock & Vibration
soil immediately under the topsoil and on top
4. Water Pressure
of rock. Used to construct embankments and
foundation, earth usually is easy to move with 5. Drying
scrapers or other types of earthmoving
equipment. Types of SOIL

Muck Excavation – is removal of material that • Type “A”

contains an excessive amount of water and Are cohesive soil with an unconfined
undesirable soil. Its consistency is determined compressive strength
by the percentage of water contained.
Because of lack of stability under load, muck of 1.5 tons psf or greater
seldom can be used in an embankment. • Fine grained
Removal of water can be accomplished by
spreading muck over a large area and letting it • Doesn’t crumble
dry, by changing soil characteristics
• Hard to break up when dry
Unclassified Excavation– is removal of any
• Examples:
combination of topsoil, earth, rock, and muck.
Contracting agencies frequently use this • Clay
classification. It means that earthmoving must
• Hardpan
be done without regard to the materials
encountered. Much excavation is performed • Silty or sandy clay, clay loam
on an unclassified basis because of the
difficulty of distinguishing, legally or Type “A”
practically, between earth, muck, and rock.
Even if soil has high clay content and is plastic A system where the side of an excavation is
when moist, it cannot be classified as “Type A” flared (broaden to a safe angle)
if it is fissured, has been previously disturbed,
or is subject to vibration from heavy traffic, SLOPING REQUIREMENTS
etc.
Workers shall not enter any excavation over
Type B 4ft in depth unless the sides are sloped to a
safe angle.
• Granular: coarse grains

• Little or no clay content No slope can be steeper that 3ft hor. to 4ft.
vertical.
• Crumbles easily when dry

Examples: Shoring
• Silt-fine mineral particles in size Shoring is a general term used in construction
to describe the process supporting a structure
between clay and sand
in order to prevent collapse so that
• Loam-from fragments of rock deposits construction can proceed.

in water Shoring Requirements

• Angular gravel-crushed rock-the angular
Is a support system design to keep the side of
nature of the individual rocks provides some
an excavation in caving in. And should be
resistance to movement
installed from top down and removed from
Type C* bottom up.

• Granular soil: very coarse Prevention of Soil Collapse

• Minimal cohesion
(Protective System)
Examples:
 Provision of Shoring and Timbering
• Sand  Plate Lining System
• Gravel  Sheet Piles
 Provide Safe Distance from Edge of
• Loamy sand Excavation, Berm
• Submerged soil or soil with freely
Shielding means to protects workers by using
seeping water trench boxes or other types of supports to
prevent soil cave-ins
• Submerged rock that is not stable.

SLOPPING Prevention from Falling Materials

The grade (aslo called slope, incline , gradient, ✓ Barricades should be provides.
pitch or rise) Of a physical feature, landform
or constructed line refers to the inclination of (The top of the walls of an excavation more
that surface to the horizontal. than 2m deep shall be barricaded to a height
of at least 1m)
✓ Sings posted to prevent the public from ➢ Wear Complete Personal Protective
going near the excavation. Equipment

Working Surface ➢ Store excavated materials at least 1meter

from the edge
✓ Excavation shall be kept free of water at all
times. ➢ Remove boulders or other materials that
may roll
✓ In muddy areas, workers should be
provided with boots to reduce the hazard of ➢ Do not stockpile materials or store
Slipping equipment near edge or excavation

Underground Facilities ➢ Give special attention to side slops,

adversely affected by weather, moisture
✓ Determine location of underground content or vibration.
facilities and take necessary steps to prevent
damage to these facilities ➢ In case of undercut,safely support
overhanging materials
Tools, Materials and Machinery
➢ Safe working distance
✓ Keep at least 1m away from the edge of the
excavation. ➢ Control ground water

✓ No vehicle or other machinery be driven, ➢ Provide walkways, bridges , guardrails,

operated or located near the edge of an barricades, warning flags or lights for
excavation at least 1/3 of its depth. pedestrian/vehicular traffic.

Pre-Excavation Requirements ✓Equipment Operations

✓Check excavation permit ➢ Shore and brace sides of excavation to

resist superimposed loads if
✓Utility services in the area must be located
and assets for hazard potential. (i.e. electrical, necessary to operate equipment above or
telephone lines, gas, steam, water and sewer) near excavation.

✓Trees, utility poles, rocks or similar materials ➢Use stop logs, warning signs, or barricades
on the vicinity must be secured or removed. if mobile equipment is utilized adjacent to
excavations.
✓The side of the excavation must be trimmed
or scaled to removed any loose materials ➢Do not work too close to the cliff or edge of
the excavation
Working in Excavation
➢Use horn or give signals to ensure safety
✓During Operations
➢During break time, workmen should never MEANS of ACCESS and ESCAPE
stand or take rest on high banks of soft
✓Every Excavation over 1m deep shall be
material
provided with means of access and escape.
➢ Do not leave tools, materials, or debris in ✓Every excavation shall have at least one
walkways ramps, or near the edge of ladder in every 16.6m of length which shall
excavations extend at 0.83m above the top.

➢ Do not use guardrails as resting place OSHS Rule 1413: Excavation

✓No excavation in an adjacent building or

✓ Excavation in confined space
structure shall be undertaken unless steps are
➢ Check the atmosphere condition before taken to prevent danger to workers.
entry ✓Before shoring or timbering, the walls of an
excavation shall be stripped of loose rocks or
➢ Do not work alone in a confined space
other materials that might slide, roll or fall on
workers.
➢ Provide life line
✓Every excavation over 1m shall kept free of
➢ Provide ventilation or blower before water at all times.
entering
✓Shoring and Timbering
➢ Provide emergency rescue equipment such
• Excavation over 1m deep shall be supported
as breathing apparatus, safety harness and
by adequate shoring and timbering. This
line basket stretcher.
shall not apply to such excavation:
Inspection
-A worker is not required to enter for any
purpose
✓Daily before start of each shift
-Cut in solid rock
✓After heavy rain
-Walls are slopped to 45° from the vertical or
✓When fissures, tension cracks, undercutting, cut to the angle or repose
waste seepage, bulging at the bottom.
✓Shoring or timbering in excavation over
6.6m deep shall be designed by structural
✓When there is a change in size, location or
engineer and approved by the proper
placement of spoil pile
authority.
✓When there is any indication of change or
movement in adjacent structures.

Provide safe entry and exit

Buckets of excavators, backhoes, etc. are not

to be used as a means of egress.
 DEMOLITION SAFETY 2. The area is strictly for demolition workers
only (Demolition area - w/in a distance equal
SAFE DEMOLITION REQUIRES ADEQUATE to 1.5 x H of structure)
PLANNING
3. If the above distance is not possible, the
Why Plan?
structure shall be fenced around
 Identify the Hazards
 Meet Legislative Requirements 4. Danger signs should be posted around the
 Ensure Appropriate Equipment structure
 Ensure Safe Disposal of Materials
 Determine Appropriate Methods of 5.Ensure all electrical services are cut-off
Demolition
6. Demolition should proceed storey by
 Determine Cost of Demolition storey, in a descending order; work on the
Key Areas for Planning upper floors should be completely over
before removing the supporting members on
 Type of Construction the lower floor
 Type of Structure (Ht., Use)
 State of Structure 7. No part of the structure shall be
 Structural Hazards overloaded w/ debris or mat’ls.
 Hazardous Substances 8. Stairs (incl. railings), passageways &
 Location of Services
ladders should be demolished last.
 General Conditions of Adjoining
Structures HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH DEMOLITION
 Access and Egress
1. Falls
 Suitability of Site for Equipment
2. Being Hit/Trapped/Crushed by Objects
DEMOLITION TECHNIQUE
3. Manual Handling
Sequential – gradual reduction of height in
reverse order to its construction 4. Hazardous Substances and Dangerous
Goods
Induced – key structural members are
weakened or removed, causing the whole 5. Noise and Vibration
part of the structure to collapse
6. Electric Shock
METHODS OF DEMOLITION
7. Equipment
1. Manual – use of hand held tools.
2. Mechanical – use of heavy
equipment, wires and chain, power
shear, etc.
3. Explosives – use of explosives

RULE 1417 - 1418: DEMOLITION

1. Structures over 6m high must be under the

supervision of a competent person