MODULE 3

Syllabus
Introduction to construction industry and safety issues in
construction
• Safety in various construction operations – Excavation and filling –
Under-water works – Under-pinning & Shoring – Ladders &
Scaffolds – Tunneling – Blasting – Demolition – Confined space –
Temporary Structures.
• Familiarization with relevant Indian Standards and the National
Building Code provisions on construction safety.
• Relevance of ergonomics in construction safety. Ergonomics
Hazards - Musculoskeletal Disorders and Cumulative Trauma
Disorders.
 Construction industry
• Construction industry refers to the industrial branch of
manufacturing and trade related to building, repairing,
renovating, and maintaining infrastructures.
• It typically starts with planning, financing, design, execution,
builds, and also covers repairs and maintenance and
improvement work.
 SAFETY ISSUES IN CONSTRUCTION
• Safety issues at construction site involves safety during
excavation, scaffolding, formwork, working at heights,
material handling and stacking, housekeeping works.
• Major Safety Issues at Construction Site The major areas
considered for safety considerations at the construction site
are:
– Excavation work at Construction
– House Keeping
– Scaffolding Issues
– Working at Heights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
GuqMJy_e3U4
 Safety Issues with Housekeeping at
Construction Site
• Housekeeping practice in a construction site means
keeping the work area neat, orderly and avoid slip
and trip hazards.
• Poor housekeeping can result in
– Slipping wet or dirty surface
– Accidents from falling objects
– Presence of loose objects on floors, platforms and stairs.
 Good Housekeeping practices in
Construction site
• Proper maintenance of the building area and the
working equipment is the primary safety practice.
This ensures that the building, equipment and
the machinery are safe and efficiently working.
• Regular cleaning during the work shifts
• Proper waste disposal
• Unused material can be removed
• Proper inspection of the work area by a
competent person
• The access and exit for the construction site must be safe and
clear
• General safety signs must be erected and placed in order.
• There must be safe and neat storage spaces for the materials
and the plant.
• Maintain a neat and orderly workplace environment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmJYiNWDl_8
 Safety Issues in Working at Heights
• The major safety practice that is to be provided when the
workers are at heights are to provide sufficient fall protection.
Greatest fatalities in the construction industry are caused due
to falls. The major reasons involved in falling are:
– Unstable working surfaces.
– Failure to use fall protection equipment and accessories
– Human errors
 Safety Practice when Working at Heights
• Use of aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide safer
working surface
• The holes in the floors must be covered
• Personal fall arrest systems or safety net systems must be
used
• Provide guard rails
• Warning lines or control lines can be installed
• Proper training of the workers regarding safety working
practice
• Make workers aware about the use and maintenance of
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Check the working condition of the equipment working at
heights.
elevated platforms
 guard rails
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzv9xSQkzFc
SAFETY ISSUES FOR EXCAVATION AND
TRENCHING WORKS
SAFETY ISSUES FOR EXCAVATION AND
TRENCHING WORKS
• Serious hazards can be provided to the workers involved in
the trenching and excavation works. The major risk is during
the cave-ins which is severe than any excavation issues.
Before entering the trench, it must be assured that adequate
protections are provided to prevent the cave-in hazards.
Other issues associated with the same are hazardous
atmosphere, falling loads and safety issues from the mobile
equipment.
 Safety Practices in Excavation and
Trenching Works
• The sides of excavation work must be sloped and benched for
easy movement. This avoids further collapse.
• The sides of excavation must be supported.
• The side of the excavation and the working area must be
separated by means of a shield.
• Protective barricades can be used to avoid falling of soil or
rock over the workers. Any other equivalent form of
protection can be provided.
• When the mobile equipment or machines are working
adjacent or near the edge of excavation, proper
warning system have to be provided.
• Keep the workers away during the loading and
unloading of the heavy materials. This protects the life
from falling materials or any spillage.
• Check the air quality levels during the cave -ins.
• Presence of depleted oxygen levels will ask the
workers to wear respiratory protection equipment
depending on the severity of hazardous atmosphere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP046HTKjkU
SAFETY ISSUES WITH SCAFFOLDING
WORKS
 SAFETY ISSUES WITH SCAFFOLDING
WORKS
• Scaffolding is a temporary frame used to support people and
material in the construction or repair of buildings and other
large structures.
• Improper scaffolding works will result in hazards. Fall hazards
are occurred if the scaffolds are not properly erected or used.
• Following the safety practices during scaffolding works helps
to prevent injuries and fatalities. Every scaffolding must be
erected with strong foot bearing plates to avoid collapse.
foot bearing plates
 Safety Practices in Scaffolding Works
• The scaffolding must be erected on a solid footing with proper
foot bearing plates
• The scaffolding used must be strong and rigid
• The scaffolding must carry its dead weight and almost 4 times
the maximum load coming over it. This must be carried
without any form of displacement or settlement.
• Scaffolding must not be supported by means of boxes, loose
bricks or any other unstable objects
• Any repair or damage to the scaffolding accessories like
braces, screw legs, ladders or trusses have to be repaired and
replaced.
• Access to the scaffolding is provided through ladders and
stairwells
• The natural and synthetic ropes used in suspension
scaffolding must not interrupt with heat or electricity
producing sources.
• A minimum of 10 feet have to be maintained between the
scaffolding and the electric lines.
• Scaffolding construction must be inspected by a competent
person. The unit must be erected, moved or dismantled with
the guidance and supervision of this competent person.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW0LFQyl0FE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veF4uSUtrEY
SAFETY ISSUES IN UNDER-
WATERWORKS
 SAFETY ISSUES IN UNDER-
WATERWORKS
• Underwater construction work is an area which requires
extensive training. Not only does the worker need to worry
about the regular dangers that come with working with tools,
now he is working in a different medium, water, which has an
effect on the work actually being done, plus he needs to use
special breathing equipment.
• Some of the work can be on bridges, power stations, ships,
submarines, marinas, etc. And each type of job will have its
own special requirements.
• Diving poses a unique risk, because if a problem arises the
diver's life could be in immediate danger.
 Safety precautions
• Extreme familiarity with their diving equipment.
• Check working condition of equipment.
• Plan the dive: time, depth, work to be done and stick to the
plan.
• Never dive alone. Always have at least one partner that we
will stay close to.
• Have a rescue plan in place.
• Know where the nearest decompression chamber is located
and how to get help.
• Descend slowly.
• Ascend slowly with the scheduled breaks.
• Monitor air supply regularly during the entire dive.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLcMkAzky24
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDM7yeJQzdo
 SAFETY ISSUES IN UNDER-PINNING &
SHORING
UNDER-PINNING
In construction or renovation,
underpinning is the process of
strengthening the foundation
of an existing building or other
structure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=LMo-_k11HS4
 Underpinning may be necessary for a
variety of reasons:
• The original foundation is simply not strong or stable enough, eg,
due to decay of wooden piles under the foundation.
• The usage of the structure has changed.
• The properties of the soil supporting the foundation may have
changed (possibly through subsidence) or were mischaracterized
during planning.
• The construction of nearby structures necessitates the excavation
of soil supporting existing foundations.
• It is more economical, due to land price or otherwise, to work on
the present structure's foundation than to build a new one.
 Precautions

• Notify adjoining owners of proposed works giving full

details and temporary shoring or tying.
• Carry out a detailed survey of the site, the building to
be underpinned and of any other adjoining or
adjacent building or structures. A careful record of
any defects found should be made and where
possible agreed with the adjoining owner(s) before
being lodged in a safe place.
• Indicators or 'tell tales' should be fixed over
existing cracks. so that any subsequent
movements can be noted and monitored.
• Before any underpinning work is started the loads
on the building to be underpinned should be
reduced as much as possible by removing the
imposed loads from the floors and installing any
props and/or shoring which is required.
Shoring
 Shoring
• It is a general term used in construction to
describe the process of supporting a
structure in order to prevent collapse so that
construction can proceed.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
a4bj1epmd0
• Shoring is used to support the beams and floors in a building
while a column or wall is removed.
• Trenches During excavation, shoring systems provide safety
for workers in a trench and speed excavation.
• concrete structures shoring, in this case also referred to as
falsework, provides temporary support until the concrete
becomes hard and achieves the desired strength to support
loads.
 Safety precautions for Shoring
• A qualified person should survey the jobsite for hazards that
could cause issues with the shoring system. If hazards are
uncovered, they should be corrected as needed.
• Plan the shoring's installation in advance. This includes
ensuring that the right equipment is available to safetyfinish
the work. .
• Inspect all equipment before use. If a defect is found, the
affected item should be removed and repaired. Defective
equipment should never be used.
• Obtain a shoring drawing from a qualified professional. The
drawing should be used onsite at all times.
• Shoring systems should not be used for fall protection.
• Follow proper safety practices during dismantling. Nothing
should be removed from the shoring system until a qualified
supervisor has given their approval.
SAFETY ISSUES WHILE USING LADDERS
IN CONSTRUCTION
• Choose the Right Ladder
• Correctly Use the Ladder
• Properly Maintain the Ladder
– Type 1 - Industrial: heavy-duty with a load
capacity of no more than 250 lbs.
– Type II - Commercial: medium-duty with a load
capacity not more than 225 lbs.
– Type III-Household: light-duty with a load
capacityof not more than 200 lbs.
 Correctly Use the Ladder
• Secure the ladder:
– An extension ladder should be tied off at the top, middle
and bottom to prevent ladder movement or slipping.
– The structure that we tie the ladder to must be capable of
supporting the ladder.
– A second person should act as a spotter and hold the
ladder at the bottom.
– Tie off at the bottom of the overlap section to prevent
slippage.
– The top must extend 3 feet beyond the roof line if we are
climbing onto the structure.
• If climbing from the ladder to another surface, make sure the
ladder extends 3 feet past the platform being climbed to.
• Always face the ladder when climbing or descending. Do not
climb higher than the second rung on stepladders or the third
rung on straight or extension ladders
• Personnel should have their hands free of material while
climbing ladders. Hand lines and/or tool pouches will be used
to raise or lower material.
• Utilize the 4-1 ratio: The 4-to-1 Ratio applies to the distance
the ladder's base must be from the foundation. This is figured
by dividing the length of the structure from the ground to the
top support point (where the ladder rests against the
building) by four. It does not include the 3 foot extension to 15
feet; the ladder's base should be 3 feet from the foundation.
The 4-to-1 Ratio is important because the angle it creates
utilizes the ladder's strength and gives optimum balance
when climbing.
 Properly Maintain the Ladder
• The final part of ladder safety is proper maintenance. Ladders
should be inspected before and after each use. Inspect step
ladders and extension ladders for broken or frozen joints or
latches. Inspect aluminum ladders for cracks, broken welds,
rough spots and burrs.
• Inspect wood ladders for cracked wood, splinters, and rot.
Look for broken or loose hardware. Protect wood ladders with
linseed oil or clear sealant.
• Fiberglass ladders are protected with a clear sealant. If
thefiberglass is damaged through the sealant, sand lightly
before applying another coat of lacquer.
• With all ladders frequently oil metal bearings of locks, wheels,
pulleys and other moving parts.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LndgPWwAFsg
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-2eEdyIGR0
 SAFETY IN TUNNELING
• In simple terms, tunneling is the physical process of
constructing an underground passageway beneath the earth's
surface, tunnels can also be created underwater.
 Safety Precautions in Tunneling
• The floor of the tunnel should be kept dry and clean.
• Open flames, electric short-circuiting should be avoided by
providing proper covering over the power line and light.
• Medical equipment and doctors should always be available at
the site.
• Fire fighting equipment with an excellent operator and
sufficient water supply should be available at the site at all
times.
• Unnecessary machines, tools, and construction material
should be avoided to store in the tunnel.
• All the machines and tools should be maintained in
usable condition.
• Working platforms should be checked periodically.
• The communication system (like; a telephone) should be
installed inside the tunnels for receiving and sending
important information about tunnel conditions.
• All the internal systems like communication systems,
power systems, safety devices, and lighting should be
checked periodically.
• The double power supply should be provided so that the
power from the standby unit can be restored during the
power failure of one power supply.
• Every worker must be aware of their safety.
• Protective clothing, steel helmet, rubber gloves, goggles, etc.
should be put on by every worker during their work.
• The proper ventilation system should be provided in the
tunnel as required.
• Proper drainage must be provided.
• Safety signboards should be provided at various places along
the tunnel.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKTCk9wv0L4
 SAFETY IN BLASTING OPERATION
• Blasting is a process of reduction of rocks or hard soil into
fragments with the help of explosives. The blasting operation
involves drilling of holes, installation of a detonator and charge,
detonating the charge, and removal of debris.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO8hQ_i
HxpQ
 Safety Precautions before Blasting
• The blasting operations shall be carried out under the
supervision of a responsible authorized blasting engineer.
• In case of blasting with dynamite, the position of all the
boreholes to be drilled shall be marked in circles with white
paint.
• The boreholes shall be of a size that facilitates the easy
passage of cartridge.
• After the drilling operation, the engineer shall inspect the
holes to ensure that only the marked locations have been
drilled, and no extra hole has been drilled.
• The engineer shall then prepare the necessary charge
separately for each borehole.
• The boreholes shall be cleaned thoroughly before the
insertion of the cartridge.
• For tamping, only cylindrical wooden tamping rods shall be
used. Metal rods with pointed ends shall never be used for
tamping .
• Each cartridge shall be placed in the borehole and gently
pressed but not rammed down.
• The topmost cartridges shall be connected to the detonator,
which shall, in turn, be connected to the safety fuses of the
required length.
• The fuses of the required length shall be cut and inserted into
the holes.
• The fuses shall be free of joints but if found unavoidable, a
semi-circular notch shall be cut off from one piece of fuse
from the end and inserted into the notch of the other fuse.
• The joint pieces of the fuse shall then be wrapped together
with string.
• All joints of the fuses exposed to dampness shall be
wrapped with rubber tape.
• The maximum of eight boreholes shall be loaded and fired
at one go.
• The charges shall not be fired simultaneously but
successively.
• Immediately before firing, a warning shall be given, and
the engineer shall see that all the workers have retired to a
place of safety.
• The safety fuses of the charged holes shall only be ignited in the
presence of the engineer.
• The required count before each blast shall be set by the engineer
and others.
• After all the charged boreholes have exploded, the engineer shall
inspect the site for anomalies.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPGtvw8QoRs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWlSmmQbEkY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ITZ2VIDTI
 Safety Precautions while Blasting
• For the safety of workers, red flags shall be
prominently displayed around the area where blasting
operations are to be carried out.
• All the workers at the site shall withdraw to a safe
distance of at least 200 meters from the blasting site.
• An audio warning by blowing whistle shall be given
before igniting the fuse.
• The blasting operation shall be carried out under
thesupervision of trained personnel.
• The blasting shall not be done within 200m of an existing
structure unless permitted explicitly by the engineer in
writing.
• All procedures and safety precautions for the use of
explosives, drilling, and loading of explosives before and after
shot firing and disposal of explosives shall be carried out
corresponding to the region and country code.
 SAFETY IN DEMOLITION WORK
• Demolition or dismantling refers to breaking up of buildings,
structures either fully or partially
• Utmost consideration is to be given to demolition or
dismantling of structures than to erection, construction and
maintenance.
• The problems, hazards and uncertainties can be much greater
in demolition and it is also carried out by the unskilled
workers.
• The design engineers have responsibility for safety for not
only for design and construction but also for the demolition of
the structures at the end of its usual life.
Precautions during demolition has three goals.
• specifically aimed at safeguarding the personnel on the site.
• safeguarding of persons not connected with demolition
including the general public and
• the protection of the property likely to be effected by
demolition operation.
• The causes of accidents to workers involved with demolition
are fall from heights, falling materials, inadequate access, over
fragile materials etc.
• Premature collapses due to incorrect dismantling, over
loading or excessive pre- weakening feature particularly
during demolition.
 Safety measures in demolition of the
buildings:
• Workers should not be deployed at different levels unless
adequate precautions are taken to ensure safety of them
• Demolition work should begin at the top of the structure and
proceed downwards..
• Masonry concrete and other dismantled materials should not
be allowed to accumulate in quantities which may endanger
the stability of any floor or structural support.
• Part of the structures, where necessary should be adequately
shored, braced or otherwise supported.
• If the structure is to be demolished by explosives, all safety
measures pertaining to explosives such as transport, storage,
handling, loading firing etc. should be strictly adhered to.
• Foundation walls serving as retaining walls to support of
adjoining structures should not be demolish until the
adjoining structure have been under pinned or braced or
earth supported by sheet pilling.
• Stairs with hand railing should be kept in place as long as
practicable to provide access and egress.
• If the work of demolition is continued in night, all
passageways, stairs and other parts of the structure where
the workers have to pass and also to work should be
adequately lit.
• Workers should wear strictly safety belts,. safety helmets and
hand glove.
• If the demolition is carried out by machines such as power
shovels, bulldozers etc. the safety measures relevant to
operation and use of such machines should be adhered to.
• If swinging weight such as ball is used for demolition, a
safety zone having a width of at least 1.50 times the height
of the building or structure should be maintained.
• Scaffolds used for demolition operations should be
independent of the structure to be demolished.
• If ladders are used for demolition, only travelling
mechanical ladders should be used.
• The hoists or chutes, whenever it is practicable, should be
used to lower the materials.
• Materials chutes should have a gate at the bottom with
suitable means for regulating the flow of materials.
 Safety measures in demolition of
structural steel works
• The steel structures should be demolished from top tier by
tier.
• Removing the various members of the steel structures
should be done in a planned manner.
• All precautions should be taken to prevent danger from any
sudden twist, spring or collapse of steel parts/work when it
is cut or released.
• Structural steel parts should be carefully lowered and not
dropped from a height.
• Safety precautions of gas cutting of the steel members
should be adhered to.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRJz0PeP
XZ8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb4MN
e1vk70
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eELTFCA
4d8E
 Safety precautions before entering a
confined space
• Before workers enter a confined space the following
precautions should be carefully considered and put in
place before work is allowed to commence:.
• Avoid entry if practically possible: It's that simple, if
the job can reasonably be done externally or remotely
then it should be. As reflected in the hierarchy of
controls elimination should be the first course of action
considered before actual entry.
• Carry out a risk assessment of the space: Determining what
hazards are present and the threat severity they pose is
essential to the safety of workers within the space. If we don't
know about it, we can't protect against it.
• Get a work permit for the space: A confined space entry
permit must be in place prior to work commencing and needs
to be signed off on by all involved; namely the issuing
authority, performing authority and the workers due to carry
out the task in question.
• Safe access and escape arrangements: The most obvious
example of this would be a fixed ladder arrangement with
means of emergency escape also being ready as required -
e.g. an emergency winch rescue device for retrieval of
operatives via a safety harness in the event of an accident or
other dangerous development.
• Monitoring the atmosphere within the space: Checks need to
be made with a four-way gas detection monitoring device for
the presence of toxic gases such as Carbon Monoxide (CO),
Hydrogen Sulphide or combustibles hazards such as high
oxygen levels.
• Providing appropriate breathing apparatus:
Dependent upon the results of atmospheric
monitoring and whether entry is still viable workers
may require a self-contained breathing apparatus to
protect them from toxic gases.
• Setup lighting arrangements: Adequate temporarylighting
arrangements must be made in order for theoperatives to not
only have clear vision while working but to avoid any
prominent physical hazards within the space.
• Providing appropriate safe tools and equipment: These must
be safe to use within the space's conditions, accounting for
risks such as electrocution with power tools in water or sparks
which may ignite flammable gases.
• Space ventilation: This will most likely be a fan assistedsystem
implemented inside the confined space to maintainairflow
and keep temperatures down to safe levels
• Capable operatives: Considering if we or our operatives are in
suitable physical condition and appropriately trained for the
work is a fairly straightforward though easily overlooked
point. If there is concern that the physical condition of a
worker may endanger an operation or the conditions within a
space may aggravate a health complaint, then they should not
enter to begin with.
• Edge protection: Hazards aren't necessarily limited to operatives
entering the space; having high visibility fixed barriers, flashing
lights, signage and/or traffic cones positioned around entries such
as manholes may be necessary to warn others of a fall.
• An emergency rescue team: Hopefully we won't need it, but
regardless an emergency response rescue team must be kept on
standby to be ready in the event of an incident. There should be a
team member in place on top of or just outside the entry point, a
clear method of communication (e.g. radio), mechanical aids such
as an emergency winch/tripod attached to an operative's safety
harness and sign in/out logs for commencement and completion of
work.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKKm5lyv
Gcg
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH5VrVd
6beA
 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA
• The National Building Code (NBC) is a document that provides
guidelines for construction of structures - residential,
mercantile, institutional, educational, commercial, assembly,
storage spaces or even hazardous buildings.
• It is important to follow these guidelines that are meant to
protect the overall health of the construction and ensure the
health and safety of the public and the residents.
 NBC guidelines related to kitchens
• Every kitchen must have provision for washing utensils, with
proper connection to drainage.
• The kitchen must be provided with an impermeable floor.
• The kitchen must open into an interior or exterior open space
and should not be less than one sq metre.
• The kitchen should not open into a shaft.
• No chutes to be used in buildings above 15 metres.
 NBC guidelines related to bathrooms

• One of the walls should have an opening to the open air.

Minimum ventilation or window space should be provided
measuring up to 0.37 sq metres.
• A bathroom must always be over another bathroom or
washing place or the terrace space and not over another
room. Watertight floors can be an exception to this rule.
• The seat should be made of non-absorbent material
• Bathrooms should be enclosed by partitions/walls,provided with an
impervious surface with a height prescribed as not less than one
metre.
• The floor covering should be impervious too but sloping towards
the drain and not towards any other room or balcony space.
• A room provided with a water closet is to be used as a toilet only.
These rooms must be provided with flush cisterns.
• If there is a toilet on the terrace with a height of 2.2 metres, it
should be counted in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
• In the absence of a sewage outlet, a septic tank must be provided.
 NBC guidelines related to basements
• The minimum height of the basement should be 2.5 metres
and the maximum height 4.5 metres.
• The ceiling height should be a minimum of 0.9 metres and
maximum of 1.2 metres above the road surface.
• Ventilation is must for the basement and could be inthe form
of blowers, exhaust fans, air-conditioning,etc.
• Surface drainage should not enter the basement.
• The basement's walls and floors must be water-proof.
• The basement should not be accessed directly from the road.
It should be accessed only from the main entrance or an
alternative staircase that provides access to the building.
• Only when a projecting basement is flush with the ground, or
if the authority allows, can the basement be permitted to
touch the adjacent property.
 Guidelines related to building exits

• The NBC has guidelines for the entry, as well as exit points in
buildings. .
• An exit must be provided in every building, so as to permit
safe escape of residents in times of fire or earthquakes, etc.
• Exits are compulsory and these should be clearly visible to
all and must be illuminated. These cannot be reduced in
number, width or by any other means. The requisite number
is dependent on occupancy load, capacity, travel distance, etc.
• Alarms are necessary to ensure those in danger are
evacuated promptly.
• Exits should be continuous, leading to the exterior of the
building.
• Exits can be horizontal or vertical.
• Lifts and revolving doors are not exits.
 NBC guidelines regarding fire safety

• In large-sized buildings where accidents due to fire may not

be easily noticed, automatic fire detection and alarm facilities
are a must and should be provided. Not just this, such
buildings should be provided with and protected by fire
extinguishers, wet risers, automatic sprinkler installations, etc.
These shall be in accordance with the set standards.
• The guidelines for fire drills and evacuations for high-
rise buildings are also specified in NBC Part 4. It
mandates the appointment of a qualified fire officer
and trained staff for significant occupancies.
• NBC Part 4 - Fire and Life safety specifies the
demarcation of fire zones, restrictions on construction
of buildings in each fire zone, classification of buildings
based on occupancy, types of building construction
according to the fire resistance of the structural and
non-structural components and other restrictions.
• According to the Part 4 of the NBC, "Every building shall be
constructed, equipped, maintained and operated as to avoid
undue danger to the life and safety of the occupants from fire,
smoke, fumes or panic during the time necessary for escape."
• An emergency plan for orderly and systematic evacuation
shall be prepared, and fire drills should be conducted at
least once in six months. The code says that no alterations
should be made in a building to reduce the number, width
or protection of exits.
• Automatic fire detection, and alarm facilities are a must as
per the guidelines in fire and life safety part of the NBC.
Based on the occupancy use and height, all the buildings
have to be protected by fire extinguishers, wet risers,
automatic sprinkler installations, water sprays, etc.
• The NBC regulations can be immediately adopted or enacted
for use by various departments, municipal administrations.
public, and private bodies. It lays down a set of minimum
provisions designed to protect the safety of the public with
regard to structural sufficiency, fire hazards and health
aspects of buildings.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-
ylvugYc0w
 RELEVANCE OF ERGONOMICS IN
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
• Ergonomics is a science that focuses on designing spaces,
workplaces, tasks, and processes to improve well-being and
prevent strain and muscular injury.
• In the context of construction, we can simplify the concept
down to fitting the job to the employee rather than forcing
the employee to fit to the job.
• That means avoiding unnecessary uses of force, reducing
stress on the body, and eliminating tasks performed in
awkward positions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sb548iiu
PY
• Proper ergonomic design and solutions can prevent and
reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). While
these disorders are generally short-term, they can develop
into long-term, disabling conditions that will severely impact
an employee's ability to perform their work and enjoy their
life.
• Musculoskeletal impairments comprise more than 150
different diseases/conditions that affect the system and are
characterized by impairments in the muscles, bones, joints
and adjacent connective tissues leading to temporary or
lifelong limitations in functioning and participation.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYvqHJ7FNAM
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ib0lCAP8yw
 MAJOR ERGONOMIC RISKS
• When a task isn't fit to an employee's capabilities and
limitations, it can result in two types of ergonomic injury:
cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and sprains or strains.
 Cumulative Trauma Disorders
• CTDs, or repetitive strain injuries, are soft tissue injuries
caused by repeated exposure to an ergonomic stressor. Many
workplace tasks become risky when they are overdone.
• They can be performed safely for a limited amount of time
and with adequate rest periods at regular intervals.
• However, when they are performed too often or for too long
without allowing the body to recover, these tasks can result in
a repetitive strain injury.
• These injuries generally develop in smaller parts of
the body, such as the fingers, wrists, elbows, or neck.
In the construction industry, the three most common
types of CTD are tendon disorders, nerve disorders,
and neuro-vascular disorders.
 Tendon Disorders
• These injuries are caused by the inflammation
of the tendon or the tendon sheathing due to
repetitive rubbing against ligaments or bone.
A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
• The most commonly known tendon disorder is called Lateral
Epicondylitis, but we probably know it as tennis elbow. In this
condition, the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and
tender. The pain from tennis elbow can extend to the back of
the forearm and affect grip strength.
 Nerve Disorders
• When nerves are compressed repeatedly against bones,
ligaments, and tendons, it can make moving the affected part
of the body extremely painful. One of the most well-known
nerve disorders is carpal tunnel syndrome.
• With carpal tunnel, the median nerve that travels through the
wrist is compressed, resulting in pain, numbness, and a
tingling sensation in the thumb, index finger, and wrist.
 Neuro-Vascular Disorders
• These disorders occur when the blood vessels or nerves are
constantly compressed due to exposure to vibration or
temperatures cold enough to reduce blood flow to the
extremities.
• This condition is commonly known as Raynaud's disease. In
the construction industry, the fingers are most affected by
this. When a worker is afflicted with it, the fingers turn white
and then blue if the exposure continues for too long.
• When the stressor is removed and the blood returns to the
area, the fingers then turn red and the affected worker
experiences a painful burning sensation.
 Sprains and Strains
• Unlike CTDs, sprains and strains are caused by a single,forceful
event and develop instantly.
• Sprains and strains occur when a worker performs an activity
that surpasses their physical limitation, like suddenly lifting at
heavy or awkward object.
• Sprains and strains typically affect larger segments of the
body, such as the back, legs, and shoulders. And the risk of
injury increases with every additional ergonomic risk factor
that is present, such as static loading, repetition, force,
contact stress, awkward posture, and vibration.
• While we tend to use the terms interchangeably, sprains and
strains are actually different. Both are stretches or tears in
body tissue, but sprains refer to injuries to the ligaments
while strains refer to those that happen in a muscle or
tendon.
 Ergonomic Hazard Controls in Construction

• Now that we know what kind of injuries we're dealing with

and how costly they can be, we need to discuss solutions.
• Every organization should assess the ergonomic hazards on its
job sites, based on the scope of work, injury history, and the
best business practices. This hazard assessment should be the
foundation of the ergonomics program.
• Moreover, it is important to note that there is no silver bullet
for all ergonomic hazards. Employers must consider and
implement multiple control methods, often in combination, to
keep workers safe.
 Stooping, Bending, and Kneeling
• Construction work can involve a surprising amount of
stooping, bending, kneeling, and squatting, often for
extended periods of time.
• Workers who are tasked with fastening or connecting
construction materials are especially likely to spend a lot of
time in these awkward positions. One great solution to this
problem is to ensure workers are provided with tools that
allow them to perform their work in an upright position.
 Solutions
• Auto-feed screw guns with an extension to assist workers in
securing subflooring, false floors, and decking and roofing
materials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFLXdpV9
P70
• Powder-actuated fastening tools with a stand-up handle
allows employees to make steel-to-steel connections, fasten
metal tracks to concrete, or install plywood on concrete
without needing to constantly kneel and rise while doing the
job.
• Manual or battery-operated rebar tying tools allow employees
to tie rebar while standing and eliminate the need for the
rapid and forceful hand motions used when performing the
same task with pliers.
• Motorized screeds (or vibratory screeds) eliminate kneeling,
reduce repetitive movement, and substantially reduce the
force needed to level concrete.
vibratory screeds
• Kneeling creepers with cushioned knee support chest support
reduces stress on the knees and back and when installing tiles
or deck membranes - and does it without velcro or leather
straps that can interfere with blood circulation,Split-level
adjustable scaffolding keeps the bricks at waist level when
doing masonry work, which reduces the need for stooping.
Kneeling creepers
 Overhead Work
• Overhead work creates substantial stress on the shoulders
and arms. Working with the arms up is never comfortable -
add repetitive motion, forceful grip on tools, and twisting the
body and we've got significant potential for an MSD.
 Solutions
• :Mechanical lifts reduce the need to reach overhead while
holding and positioning objects. The lift will hold the object to
be installed, leaving the worker's hands free to do the work
under substantially less tension.
• Elevated work platforms provide a stable working surface that
reduces the need for awkward postures while also eliminating
the risks associated with ladders and scaffolding.
• Extension shafts for drills and screw guns allow workers to
perform overhead installations while keeping their hands at
waist level. The employee can push with their biceps instead
of their shoulder, which is a less strenuous position.
• Extension poles for powder actuated tools
avoids the exhausting work performed with
hands above the head. The extension pole
might also eliminate the need to work from a
ladder, which is also strenuous
Spring-assisted drywall finishing tools reduce the force required
to push the compound onto the wall by75%.
• Pneumatic drywall finishing tools might not reduce the
repetitive motion or eliminate all of the awkward positions
involved in finishing drywall, but they do reduce the pressure
required, thus decreasing the risk of ergonomic injuries.
 Lifting and Handling Materials
• Lifting and handling heavy and large materials puts a lot of
pressure on the back, shoulders, and neck. Heavy objects can
dig into a worker's hands and impede circulation. Holding
them for extended periods of time can lead to conditions such
as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
 Solutions
• Reduce the weight of the materials being handled. This can be
achieved by buying smaller cement bags, packaging materials
in several smaller boxes instead of a large one, or using
lightweight concrete masonry blocks (which are 30-40%
lighter than regular concrete blocks).
• Provide mechanical, hydraulic, or vacuum lifts to handle
window panes or drywall panels.
• Powered and non-powered carts reduce the need
to transport heavy objects by hand, such as
sheetmaterials or pipes.
• Using pre-blended mortar and grout mixes
instead of making them on site eliminates the
need for lifting heavy cement bags and mixing
them by hand. Cement bags are around 100
pounds and the employees might need to handle
hundreds of them each day on large jobs.
• Use skid plates to move concrete-filled hoses. Concrete-filled
hoses are heavy and awkward to handle, so the employees
have to make jerking movements to drag them and they often
get caught in re-bars. A skid plate makes the hose slide on the
re bar, reducing the amount of force required to move them
as well as the sudden movements required when the hoses
get caught.
 Hand Intensive Work
• Employees in construction spend a lot of time gripping tools
and materials, which places a lot of stress on the hand, wrist,
and elbow. In time, this can lead to serious muscle or joint
injury.
• Easy hold gloves for mud pans are a great way to reduce the
hand force required to hold a drywall mud pan. The glove
attaches to the pan and holds it to the employee's hand
without needing a forceful grip. Considering that the pan
often weights up to 5 pounds and the employee does the task
all day long, this eliminates a significant amount of strain
• Power caulking guns require a lot less force than the trigger
on traditional caulking guns. Using them reduces the risk of
carpal tunnel..
• Opt for low vibration power tools or provide workers with
anti-vibration gloves. High vibration power tools can lead to
reduced blood circulation, which is exacerbated by a forceful
grip. This can lead to conditions such as "white finger" or
"hand and arm vibration syndrome."
• Use power brushes instead of hand wire brushes when
clearing rust or other materials. Power tools reduce the need
for a forceful grip, as well as repetitive motions.
• Quick threading lock nuts can be positioned o on the rod to
the desired location. This reduces the installation time and
eliminates a lot of repetitive movements.
• Ergonomic tools can also help. While these are not or slide
always clearly defined or certified, here are some basic rules:
– Tools should conform to the geometry of the to hand.
– Pistol grip and inline tools should have a handle about 5 inches long,
and a handlediameter of 1 to 1.5 inches.
– Handles that end in the palm of thehand (too short) are
notrecommended.
– Pliers and crimping tools should have a handle length of 4 inches
minimum and a recommended handle span of 2.5 inches.
 ERGONOMICS HAZARDS
• Ergonomic hazards are physical conditions that may pose a
risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system.
• Ergonomic hazards include awkward postures, static postures,
high forces, repetitive motion, or short intervals between
activities.
• Some of the common body regions where injuries
may occur include, but are not limited to:
– Muscles or ligaments of the lower back.
– Muscles or ligaments of the neck.
– Muscles, tendons, or nerves of the hands/wrists.
– Bones and muscles surrounding the knees and legs.
• Construction work can involve floor and ground-level
work, overhead work, lifting, holding, and handling
materials, and hand-intensive work.
• Construction workers often experience backaches and pain in
the shoulders, neck, arms, and hands, these symptoms often
lead to musculoskeletal disorders and can cause health
complications in the employees experiencing these
symptoms.
• Employees have an increased risk of these injuries and health
conditions if they often carry heavy loads, work on their
knees, twist their hands and/or wrists, stretch to work
overhead, use certain types of tools, use vibrating tools or
equipment.
 Causes of ergonomic hazards in
construction work
• Awkward posture
• Static posture
• Contact stress
• Repetitive motions
• High forces
 Awkward posture
• For some construction jobs, stooping or
kneeling is required for tasks like finishing
slabs, decks, or floor coverings. Bending,
stooping, kneeling, or squatting can cause
pain or discomfort in the employee's back or
knees.
• Not only can these activities cause pain and
discomfort, but these physical positions can limit
other job activities such as lifting, pushing, or
pulling weights without substantial body stress.
Some potential solutions for these kinds of tasks
and ergonomic hazards include raising the work
on a work surface so it is no longer needed to be
done on the floor, but on a surface closer to the
worker.
• Using tools with extension handles that allow
the employee to work standing up could help
eliminate the need to stoop and kneel. A
device called a kneeling creeper could be used
for tasks in which kneeling is required. This
device offers chest support during the task to
offer more body support during tasks.
• Working overhead is often required of
construction employees. Drilling, driving
fasteners, or finishing drywall are all tasks that
would entail overhead work. This positioning
could put stress on the neck, shoulders, and
could reduce the ability for the employee to work
safely. Using lifts or hoists would help the
employee become closer to the work surface to
reduce the frequency and intensity of lifting
materials overhead.
• Attaching extension shafts for drills can help
eliminate the need to reach overhead at all, and
could help protect the employee from overhead
ergonomic complications. Another solution could
be to use an extension pole for tools. An
extension pole is a fixed height pole attached to a
powder actuated tool, meaning the tool is out of
the employee's hands, but they are still able to
operate it.
• Static posture Static posture is a posture that
workers hold over a certain period of time
while performing a job or a work. Static
posture in construction is a rear thing to see
because of the amount of movement needed
to complete all the Construction process
except in the office setting where planning is
done.
 Contact stress

• Many tasks on construction sites involve lifting,

holding, and handling materials. This lifting and holding
can strain the lower back, shoulders, neck, arms,
hands, and wrists. Many tools are used today that are
mechanical, but some tasks still need to be done
manually. Using a power vacuum to lift large, lighter
items such as a pane of glass can remove the need to
lift items manually and can take most, if not all, of the
strain off of the employee's body. Receiving proper
lifting training can also help prevent complications
from lifting materials.
• Best lifting practices include; not reaching 10-in. away from
the body when lifting or setting items down, not twisting the
body, lift with the legs and not the back, lift items with two
hands, instead of one. Using substitution can help with lifting
materials as well. Some construction materials are very dense
and heavy, substituting these materials for lighter weight
materials (such as lightweight concrete blocks) can help
reduce body strain during work and lifting tasks. Using skid
plates under a concrete-filled hose can help move the hose
easily, and can prevent the need for bending and awkward
postured on the employee's part.
 Repetitive motion

• There are also more fine motor skills that are

needed on a construction site and project, and
these tasks can cause injuries such as
tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger
finger, epicondylitis, and Hand-arm Vibration
Syndrome (HAVS). Substituting tools that do
not fit the employee, with more ergonomic
tools.
• Take into consideration the handle, wrist position, handle
diameter, and if the tool is spring-loaded. Automated tools
such as power caulking guns can help when completing tasks
where caulking is needed. Vibrations from power tools can
also cause injuries and long-term health effects. Using
reduced vibration power tools, or issuing[6:28 am, employees
anti-vibration gloves can help reduce health effects from tool
vibrations.
 High forces
• High forces are forces that workers put to lift
objects during construction. In Construction,
most of the work requires a certain amount of
high force required to lift a heavy object high
forces in Construction is not only focused on
heavy lifting but can be seen in the pushing,
pulling, and gripping of tools All these can lead to
some ergonomic issues that might affect the
work.
 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or pain in the human
musculoskeletal system, including the joints, ligaments, muscles,
nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back.
MSDs can arise from a sudden exertion (e.g., lifting a heavy object),
or they can arise from making the same motions repeatedly
repetitive strain, or from repeated exposure to force, vibration, or
awkward posture. MSDs can affect many different parts of the body
including upper and lower back, neck, shoulders and extremities
(arms, legs, feet, and hands). Examples of MSDs include carpal
tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, tendinitis, back pain, tension neck
syndrome, and hand-arm vibration syndrome.
• The workers maintain the same posture over long work days
and often several years, even natural postures like standing
can lead to MSDS like low back pain. Postures which are less
natural, such as twisting of or tension in the upper body, are
typically contributors to the development of MSDs due to the
unnatural biomechanical load of these postures. There is
evidence that posture contributes to MSDs of the neck.
shoulder, and back.
• Repeated motion is another risk factor for MSDs of
occupational origin because workers can perform the same
movements repeatedly over long periods of time (eg typing
leading to carpal tunnel syndrome, lifting heavy objects
leading to herniated discs/slipped discs), which can wear on
the joints and muscles involved in the motion in question.
Workers doing repetitive motions at a high pace of work with
little recovery time and workers with little to no control over
the timing of motions (e.g, workers on assembly lines) are
also prone to MSDs due to the motion of their work.
• Force needed to perform actions on the job can also
be associated with higher MSD risk in workers,
because movements which require more force can
fatigue muscles quicker which can lead to injury
and/or pain.
• Additionally, exposure to vibration (experienced by truck
drivers or construction workers, for example) and extreme hot
or cold temperatures can affect a worker's ability to judge
force and strength, which can lead to development of MSDS
Vibration exposure is also associated with hand-arm vibration
syndrome, which has symptoms of lack of blood circulation to
the fingers, nerve compression, tingling and/or numbness