OSH CONSTRUCTION

OSH CONSTRUCTION XBCS3103

• MODULE OUTLINE
• INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC 1
• INTRODUCTION TO ASSIGNMENT
MODULE OUTLINE
ESTIMATION OF TIME ACCUMULATION OF STUDY HOURS
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, you should be able to :

• Demonstrate the principles of plant and construction safety management

system and its compliance with legal requirements.
• Identify risks and hazards in the plant and construction industry environment.
• Prepare solutions for safety and health issues in the construction industry
using related literature, practice, and legislation.
TOPIC 1 : INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION
SAFETY
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
• 1. Explain the fundamental concepts of construction safety;
• 2. Explain terminologies used in the construction industry; and
• 3. Identify the accident prevention principles.
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA
• 2 areas in Construction Industry:
Ø General Construction – Residential, Non-residential and Civil engineering
/Infrastructure Construction
Ø Special Trade Works - activities of metal works, electrical works, plumbing,
sewerage and sanitary works, refrigeration and air-conditioning works,
painting works, carpentry, tiling and flooring works and glass works
• Statistics worldwide reveal that a large proportion of occupational fatalities occur
in the construction industry. This industry, one of the major contributors to total
employment, has long been considered a hazardous one due to the high
incidence of occupational accidents and fatal injuries.
• Most of the industrial accidents in the construction industry resulted in death.
According to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), the
construction industry is second in terms of work-related deaths in Malaysia.
SCOPE OF PLANT SAFETY
• The scope of “Plant Safety” in this module covers only the safety aspects of a
construction plant with reference to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994
(OSHA 1994).
• Definition of Plant
SCOPE OF PLANT SAFETY
• In the context of construction safety, the term “plant” includes:
Ø Pressure equipment;
Ø Tractors and earthmoving machinery;
Ø Electrical generators;
Ø Cranes, forklifts, hoists and elevated work platforms;
Ø Vehicles used for work purposes such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles ;
Ø Scaffolds; and
Ø Hand tools (either powered or non-powered) including drills, hammers, saws and
others.
DEFINITION AND TERMINOLOGIES IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
• According to Act 520, Construction Industry Development Board Act, 1994, construction works is
defined as the construction, extension, installation, repair, maintenance, renewal, removal,
renovation, alteration, dismantling, or demolition of :
(i) any building, erection, edifice, structure, wall, fence or chimney, whether
constructed wholly or partly above or below ground level;
(ii) any road, harbour works, railway, cableway, canal or aerodrome;
(iii) any drainage, irrigation or river control works;
(iv) any electrical, mechanical, water, gas, petrochemical or telecommunication
works; or
(v) any bridge, viaduct, dam, reservoir, earthworks, pipeline, sewer, aqueduct,
culvert, drive, shaft, tunnel or reclamation works.
• And includes site clearance, soil investigation and improvement, earth-moving, excavation, laying
of foundation, site restoration and landscaping.
DEFINITION AND TERMINOLOGIES IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
• Other Terminologies, according to Factories and Machinery Act 1967:
(a) Building Operation :
The construction, structural alteration, repair or maintenance of a building re-painting, re-
decorating and external cleaning of the structure, the demolition of a building, and the
preparation for and the laying of the foundation of an intended building, but does not include
any operation which is the work of engineering construction within the meaning of this Act;
(b) Certificate of competency :
A certificate granted under this Act by the Chief Inspector certifying that the holder is duly
qualified to be in charge of machinery to which the certificate of competency relates;
(c) Certificate of fitness :
A certificate granted under this Act certifying that the machinery described therein has been
inspected, and at the time of the inspection has satisfied the requirements of this Act and that
it may be worked or operated;
DEFINITION AND TERMINOLOGIES IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
(d) Machinery :
Includes steam boilers, unfired pressure vessels, fired pressure vessels, pipelines, prime
movers, gas cylinders, gas holders, hoisting machines and tackle, transmission machinery,
driven machinery, materials handling equipment, amusement devices or any other similar
machinery and any equipment for the casting, cutting, welding or electro-deposition of
materials and for the spraying utilizing compressed gas or air of materials or other materials,
but does not include:

(i) any machinery used for the propulsion of vehicles other than steam boilers or steam engines;
(ii) any machinery driven by manual power other than hoisting machines;
(iii) any machinery used solely for private and domestic purposes; or
(iv) office machines.
CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
PRIMARY CAUSES SECONDARY CAUSES
• A primary cause is a direct cause of an • A secondary cause is an indirect cause
accident. of an accident.
• Most accidents result from a combination • The primary causes stem from
of contributing causes and one or more underlying issues called secondary
unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. causes.
• The nature of secondary causes is so
extensive that it can lead to in-depth
study on culture or behavioural
aspects.
An unsafe act is a violation of an accepted Management System Pressures
safe procedure which can cause an accident.

An unsafe condition is a hazardous physical Social Pressures

condition or circumstance which can directly
cause an accident.
EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY CAUSES
UNSAFE ACTS UNSAFE CONDITIONS

Failure to follow safety instruction Insufficient lightings

Using defective equipment Bad housekeeping

Alcohol or drugs consumption Hazardous atmospheric condition

Failure to warn others of danger Missing open edge guarding

Failure to use personal protective Slippery work area

equipment
EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY CAUSES
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PRESSURES SOCIAL PRESSURES

Financial constraints Group’s attitude at the workplace

Lack of commitment Acceptable behaviour at the workplace
Undefined policy Existing safe culture at the workplace
Unrealistic time frame Values adopted
Other underlying factors Other factors that determine the behaviour
route taken

The impact of secondary causes usually results in unnecessary pressures that

lead to primary causes of an accident. As an example, time frame pressure or
cost-cutting measures will increase the probability of errors committed.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Definition of Accident Prevention

An integrated program, a series of coordinated activities, directed to the

control of unsafe personal performance and unsafe mechanical condition,
and based on certain knowledge, attitudes, and abilities.
(Heinrich, et al, 1980)

Fundamentals of Accident Prevention

Accident prevention refers to the “control of accident causes”.

It is a proactive activity.

Accidents are avoidable, contrary to the misconception that they result from fate or luck.
Emphasizing that accidents have identifiable causes is crucial, as understanding and
controlling these factors form the foundation of accident prevention methods.
PRINCIPLES OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION
A principle is a fundamental assumption or a rule used to choose among
solutions to a problem or the basic idea.
Adhering to seven principles in formulating safety control and management strategies
increases the likelihood of successful accident prevention. They are:

(i) If possible, avoid a risk altogether by eliminating the hazard.

(ii) Tackle risks at the source.
(iii) Adapt work to the individual when designing work areas and selecting methods of work.
(iv) Use technology to improve conditions.
(v) Give priority to protection for the whole workplace rather than to individuals.
(vi) Ensure everyone understands what they have to do to be safe and healthy at work.
(vii) Make sure health and safety management is accepted by everyone, and that it applies to
all aspects of the organisation's activities.
RATIONALE OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Generally there are five main reasons why accident prevention in construction is
worthwhile. They are:

(i) The cost of human suffering, physical pain and hardship resulting from death or disability is
impossible to quantify.
(ii) Moral reasons stem from developing public awareness that something needs to be done to
raise the quality of life at work.
(iii) Worker’s morale is strengthened by active participation in accident prevention
programmes, and is weakened by accidents.
(iv) Legal reasons are contained in statute law which carries the threat of prosecution or other
enforcement action.
(v) Financial reasons as in avoiding potential loss from the costs associated with accidents.
TYPICAL ELEMENTS IN A CONSTRUCTION
SITE
Examples of typical Activities at a Construction Site

Type of Works Examples of Activities

Earthworks Excavation, back-fill

Structural works Piling, formwork, barbending, concreting

Architectural works Bricklaying, plastering, roof work, painting

Mechanical and Conduit/trunking installation, wiring, plumbing, fire-

Electrical works protection, elevators, street lighting, telephone infrastructure

Infrastructure works Drainage, sewerage, water reticulation, road works

TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
Typical Construction Equipment
TEMPORARY FACILITIES / EQUIPMENT AT A
CONSTRUCTION SITE
Item Description
Worker’s accommodation It is a common practice of the management to provide
accommodation at the site compound. Most sites provide cabins
for their workers. These cabins are equipped with electrical wiring
for power supply connections. However, at some sites, the
management constructs worker’s quarters. As a comparison, the
use of cabin units has its advantages. They are easily shifted from
one location to another as the project progresses.

Sanitary Cleanliness, hygiene and personal needs are important issues.

convenience/Toilet Failure to provide these basic necessities will create health
facilities problems for the workers and potentially to the public as well.
Sufficient facilities should be provided to cater for all at the site.
TEMPORARY FACILITIES / EQUIPMENT AT A
CONSTRUCTION SITE
Item Description
Scaffolding/Working Some works such as ceiling works or external works need a
Platform working platform. A working platform for external activities is
normally erected using the ’A Frame’ scaffold. Other components
of a scaffolding may include fit-in ladder, catwalks and railings.

Tower Crane High-rise construction usually involves tower cranes. A tower

crane is assembled at the site itself. The height of a crane is
adjusted according to the progress of building works. Thus, as the
building gets higher, the crane also goes higher.

Rubbish Chute A rubbish chute is one of the ways to dispose of waste from a high
level. It is like a vertical tunnel where waste is thrown down and
collected on the ground. A rubbish chute is a quick way to clear
the upper floors in progress or do regular housekeeping.
ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
Part I

In the realm of construction, workers frequently face the risk of fatalities, injuries, and severe
illnesses. While the construction industry has shown a gradual improvement in overall
performance, the rates of death, serious injuries, and illnesses persist at levels that rank among
the highest across all sectors. In light of this, it is imperative for stakeholders in the construction
industry to proactively engage in measures that prevent such accidents on construction sites,
with an unwavering emphasis on prioritizing safety measures and controls.

As the Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH) manager overseeing a high-rise construction
project, your responsibility is to draw the attention of stakeholders to the critical importance of
conducting hazard identification and risk assessment at various stages of the construction
process — namely, during pre-construction, throughout the construction phase, and post-
construction. This strategic approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of potential
hazards and risks, thereby laying the foundation for a proactive and preventive safety culture on
the construction site.
ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
Thus, you are to prepare a report which consists of:

Ø The introduction should contain ( but not be limited to) the:

Overview of the common accidents and hazards at the site for high-rise projects;
Definition; Roles of the relevant stakeholders etc.

Ø Contents:
• Explain the potentially dangerous work activities that relate to hazards in
different stages of the construction project –
Pre-construction, During construction and Post-construction

• Discuss the method of hazard identification and risk assessment according to the
respective construction stage.

• Propose the control measures and appropriate ways to communicate the control
measures and implementation plan to the relevant stakeholders.

Ø Conclusion

[Total: 50 marks]
ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
Part II

ONLINE CLASS PARTICIPATION (10%)

Discuss the following topic in the forum and submit proof of your participation in the online
discussions:

Raising awareness among construction site workers about the crucial significance of Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) is imperative, as this aspect is frequently overlooked. How can
we enhance efforts to bring attention to this issue and ensure heightened awareness among
construction site workers?

[Total: 10 marks]