303

CIVIL
ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
 Construction Safety
• Accident free construction may be impossible.
• Accidents may lead to death, permanent
disability, temporary disability.
• Every accident causes suffering.
• Results in loss of production time.
• Poor accident record – negative image for the
company.
Safety Record
Safety Warning
Safety Warning
Safety Instructions
 Overview of the Four Major Safety
Concerns

• Electrical Shock

• Accidents during Materials Handling

• Slips & Falls

• Excavations
Electrical Safety
 Electricity - The Dangers
• Electrocution can cause death.
• Takes very little electricity to cause harm.
• Significant risk of causing fires.
 Electricity – How it Works
• Electricity is the flow of
energy from one place to
another.
• Requires a source of
power: usually a
generating station.
• A flow of electrons
(current) travels through a
conductor.
• Travels in a closed circuit.
11
 Electrical Terms
• Current -- electrical movement (measured in amps).
• Circuit -- complete path of the current.
Includes electricity source, a conductor, and the
output device or load (such as a lamp, tool, or
heater).
• Resistance -- restriction to electrical flow .
• Conductors – substances, like metals, with little
resistance to electricity that allow electricity to flow.
• Grounding – a conductive connection to the earth
which acts as a protective measure.
• Insulators -- substances with high resistance to
electricity like glass, porcelain, plastic, and dry wood
that prevent electricity from getting to unwanted
areas. 12
 Electrical Injuries
There are four main types of electrical injuries:
• Direct:
o Electrocution or death due to electrical shock
o Electrical shock
o Burns
• Indirect - Falls

13
 Electrical Shock
An electrical shock is received when electrical
current passes through the body.

You will get an electrical shock if a part of your

body completes an electrical circuit by:
• Touching a live wire and an electrical ground, or
• Touching a live wire and another wire at a
different voltage.

14
 Shock Severity
• Severity of the shock depends
on:
o Path of current through the
body
o Amount of current flowing
through the body (amps)
o Duration of the shocking
current through the body,
• LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT
MEAN LOW HAZARD

15
 Dangers of Electrical Shock
• Currents above 10 mA can
paralyze or “freeze”
muscles.
• Currents more than 75 mA
can cause a rapid,
ineffective heartbeat --
death will occur in a few
minutes unless a
Defibrillator in use
defibrillator is used.
• 75 mA is not much current
– a small power drill uses
30 times as much.
16
 Burns
• Most common shock-
related injury.
• Occurs when you touch
electrical wiring or
equipment that is
improperly used or
maintained.
• Typically occurs on hands.
• Very serious injury that
needs immediate
attention.
17
 Falls
• Electric shock can also
cause indirect injuries.
• Workers in elevated
locations who
experience a shock may
fall, resulting in serious
injury or death.

18
 Electrical Hazards and How to
Control Them
Electrical accidents are
caused by a combination
of three factors:
• Unsafe equipment
and/or installation,
• Workplaces made
unsafe by the
environment, and
• Unsafe work practices.
19
Hazard – Exposed Electrical Parts

Cover removed from wiring or breaker box

20
 Control – Isolate Electrical Parts
• Use guards or
barriers .

• Replace covers.

Guard live parts of electric equipment

operating at 50 volts or more against
accidental contact 21
Control – Isolate Electrical Parts -
Cabinets, Boxes & Fittings

Conductors going into them must be protected,

and unused openings must be closed
22
 Control – Close Openings
• Junction boxes, pull
boxes and fittings
must have approved
covers.
• Unused openings in
cabinets, boxes and
fittings must be
closed.

Photo shows violations

of these two requirements
 Hazard - Overhead Power Lines
• Usually not insulated.
• Examples of equipment
that can contact power
lines:
o Crane
o Ladder
o Scaffold
o Backhoe
o Scissors lift
o Raised dump truck bed
o Aluminum paint roller 24
 Control - Overhead Power Lines
• Stay at least 3m away.
• Post warning signs.
• Assume that lines are
energized.
• Use wood or fiberglass
ladders, not metal.
• Power line workers
need special training.

25
 Hazard - Inadequate Wiring
• Hazard - wire too small for the
current .
• Example - portable tool with an
extension cord that has a wire too
small for the tool
o The tool will draw more current
than the cord can handle, causing Wire Gauge

overheating and a possible fire

WIRE
without tripping the circuit
breaker. Wire gauge measures
wires ranging in size
o The circuit breaker could be the from number 36 to 0
right size for the circuit but not for American wire gauge
(AWG)
the smaller-wire extension cord. 26
 Control – Use the Correct Wire
• Wire used depends on operation, building
materials, electrical load, and environmental
factors.
• Use fixed cords rather than flexible cords.
• Use the correct extension cord.

Must be 3-wire type and designed for hard or

extra-hard use 27
 Hazard – Defective Cords & Wires

• Plastic or rubber
covering is
missing.

• Damaged
extension cords
& tools.

28
 Hazard – Damaged Cords
• Cords can be damaged by:
oAging
oDoor or window edges
oStaples or fastenings
oAbrasion from adjacent
materials
oActivity in the area
• Improper use can cause
shocks, burns or fire.
29
 Control – Cords & Wires
• Insulate live wires.
• Check before use.
• Use only cords that are 3-wire type
• Use only cords marked for hard or
extra-hard usage.
• Use only cords, connection devices,
and fittings equipped with strain
relief.
• Remove cords by pulling on the plugs,
not the cords.
• Cords not marked for hard or extra-
hard use, or which have been
modified, must be taken out of
service immediately. 30
 Permissible Use of Flexible Cords

DO NOT use flexible wiring where frequent

inspection would be difficult or where damage
would be likely.
Flexible cords must not be . . . Stationary
equipment-to
• run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors;
facilitate
• run through doorways, windows, or similar interchange
openings (unless physically protected);
• hidden in walls, ceilings, floors, conduit or other
raceways. 31
 Grounding
Grounding creates a low-
resistance path from a
tool to the earth to
disperse unwanted
current.

When a short or lightning

occurs, energy flows to
the ground, protecting
you from electrical shock,
injury and death. 32
 Hazard – Overloaded Circuits
Hazards may result from:
• Too many devices plugged
into a circuit, causing
heated wires and possibly a
fire.
• Damaged tools overheating.
• Lack of over-current
protection.
• Wire insulation melting,
which may cause arcing and
a fire in the area where the
overload exists, even inside
a wall.
Control - Electrical Protective Devices
• Automatically opens circuit if
excess current from overload
or ground-fault is detected –
shutting off electricity
• Includes fuses (MCB), and
circuit breakers (RCCB)
• Fuses and circuit breakers are
over-current devices. When
too much current:
o Fuses melt
o Circuit breakers trip
open
34
MCB & RCCB

35
 Power Tool Requirements

• Have a three-wire cord with

ground plugged into a
grounded receptacle, or
• Be double insulated, or
• Be powered by a low-voltage
isolation transformer.

36
 Tool Safety Tips
• Use gloves and appropriate footwear
• Store in dry place when not using
• Don’t use in wet/damp conditions
• Keep working areas well lit
• Ensure not a tripping hazard
• Don’t carry a tool by the cord
• Don’t pull the cord to disconnect it
• Keep cords away from heat, oil, & sharp
edges
• Disconnect when not in use and when
changing accessories such as blades & bits
• Remove damaged tools from use
37
 Preventing Electrical Hazards - Tools
• Inspect tools before
use.
• Use the right tool
correctly.
• Protect your tools.
• Use double insulated
tools.

Double Insulated marking

38
 Temporary Lights

Protect from contact and damage, and do not

suspend by cords unless designed to do so.
39
 Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist
• Tripped circuit
breakers or blown
fuses
• Warm tools, wires,
cords, connections, or
junction boxes
• Worn insulation
around wire or
connection

40
 Lockout and Tagging of Circuits
• Apply locks to power
source after de-energizing.
• Tag deactivated controls.
• Tag de-energized
equipment and circuits at
all points where they can
be energized.
• Tags must identify
equipment or circuits
being worked on.
41
 Safety-Related Work Practices
To protect workers from
electrical shock:
• Use barriers and guards to
prevent passage through
areas of exposed energized
equipment.
• Pre-plan work, post hazard
warnings and use protective
measures.
• Keep working spaces and
walkways clear of cords.
42
 Safety-Related Work Practices
• Use special insulated
tools when working on
fuses with energized
terminals.
• Do not use worn or frayed
cords and cables.
• Do not fasten extension
cords with staples, hang
from nails, or suspend by
wire.
43
 Preventing Electrical Hazards -
Planning
• Plan your work with
others.
• Plan to avoid falls.
• Plan to lock-out and tag-
out equipment.
• Avoid wet conditions and
overhead power lines.

44
 Avoid Wet Conditions
• If you touch a live wire or other electrical
component while standing in even a small
puddle of water you’ll get a shock.
• Damaged insulation, equipment, or tools can
expose you to live electrical parts.
• Improperly grounded metal switch plates &
ceiling lights are especially hazardous in wet
conditions.
• Wet clothing, high humidity, and perspiration
increase your chances of being electrocuted.

45
 Preventing Electrical Hazards
• Proper foot
protection (not
tennis shoes).
• Rubber insulating
gloves, hoods,
sleeves, matting,
and blankets.
• Hard hat (insulated
- nonconductive).

46
Preventing Electrical Hazards – Proper
Wiring and Connectors
• Use and test RCCB’s.
• Check switches and
insulation.
• Use three prong plugs.
• Use extension cords only
when necessary & assure
in proper condition and
right type for job.
• Use correct connectors.
47
 Training
• Deenergize electric equipment before
inspecting or repairing.
• Using cords, cables, and electric tools that are
in good repair.
• Lockout / Tagout recognition and procedures.
• Use appropriate protective equipment.

48
 Summary – Hazards & Protections
Hazards Protective Measures
• Inadequate wiring • Proper grounding
• Exposed electrical parts • Use fuses and circuit
• Wires with bad insulation breakers
• Ungrounded electrical systems • Guard live parts
and tools
• Lockout/Tag out
• Overloaded circuits
• Damaged power tools and • Proper use of flexible
equipment cords
• Overhead power lines • Close electric panels
• All hazards are made worse in • Training
wet conditions

49
 Summary

Electrical equipment must be:

– Listed and labeled
– Free from hazards
– Used in the proper manner
If you use electrical tools you must be:
– Protected from electrical shock
– Provided necessary safety equipment

VIDEO
50
Accidents during Materials
Handling
 Overview -- Handling and
Storing Materials
•Involves diverse operations:

•Manual material handling

• Carrying bags or materials
• Unpacking materials

•Material handling via machine

• Forklift
• Crane
• Rigging

•Stacking or storing drums, barrels,

kegs, lumber,
• loose bricks or other materials 52
 Injuries
Lifting objects is a major
cause of back injuries in
the work place.

Improper storing and

handling of material and
equipment can cause
struck by and crushed by
injuries.

53
 Hazards
• Improper manual lifting or
carrying loads that are too
large or heavy.

• Being struck by materials or

being caught in pinch points.

• Crushed by machines, falling

materials or improperly
stored materials.

• Incorrectly cutting ties or

securing devices.
54
 Manual Handling
Seek help:
• When a load is too bulky to
properly grasp or lift.
• When you can’t see around or
over the load.
• When you can’t safely handle the
load.
• Attach handles to loads to reduce
the chances of getting fingers
smashed.

55
Safe Lifting

• Break load into parts.

• Get help with heavy or bulky
items.
• Lift with legs, keep back straight,
do not twist.
• Use handling aids - such as
handles, and wheels.
• Avoid lifting above shoulder
level.
56
Safe Lifting Training
What should be taught:
• How to lift safely.
• How to avoid unnecessary
physical stress and strain.
• What you can comfortably
handle without undue
strain.
• Proper use of equipment.
• Recognizing potential
hazards and how to
prevent / correct them.
57
Materials Handling Equipment

• Employees must be
trained in the proper
use and limitations of
the equipment they
operate.

• This includes knowing

how to effectively use
equipment such as
forklifts, cranes, and
slings.
58
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For loads with sharp or
rough edges, wear gloves or
other hand and forearm
protection .

When loads are heavy or

bulky, wear steel-toed safety
shoes to prevent foot
injuries if the load is
dropped.

59
PPE
PPE
PPE
PPE
 Forklifts
• Center the load on the forks
and as close to the mast as
possible to minimize the
potential for the truck tipping
or load falling.
• Overloading a lift truck makes
it hard to control and could
make it tip over.
• Place the load at the lowest
position for traveling.
• Don’t place extra weight on the
rear of a counterbalanced
forklift to allow an overload.
64
 Earthmoving Equipment
• Scrapers, loaders,
crawler or wheel
tractors, bulldozers,
off-highway trucks,
graders, tractors.
• Provide seat belts.
• Equipment with an
obstructed rear view
can not be used in
reverse unless the
equipment has a
signal alarm.
65
 Cranes
•Check the load chart in the
cabin.

•Frequently inspect.

•Never lift people.

•Check overhead power

lines.

•Ensure area of travel is

clear.
66
 Rigging Equipment - Slings

Types of slings covered are those made from alloy steel

chain, wire rope, metal mesh, natural or synthetic fiber
rope, and synthetic web.

Chain Wire rope Metal mesh Synthetic

67
 Sling Inspection
Inspect slings:
• Each day before use.
• Where service conditions
warrant.
Remove them from service if
damaged or defective.

68
 Remove From Service

Immediately remove damaged or

defective slings from service

69
 Alloy Steel Chain Attachments
Rated Capacity

Hooks, rings, or other

attachments, when
used with alloy steel
chains, must have a
rated capacity at least
equal to that of the
chain.

70
 Unsuitable Alloy Steel Chain
Attachments

Right Wrong

Job or shop hooks and links, or makeshift

fasteners, formed from bolts, rods, etc., or other
such attachments, can not be used.
71
 Wire Rope Slings
Remove From Service
If these happen, remove the wire rope sling from service

Bird Caging Kinking

Crushing 72
 Storing Materials
Secure materials stored in
tiers by stacking, racking,
blocking, or interlocking to
prevent them from falling.

Post safe load limits of

floors.

Keep aisles and

passageways clear.

73
 Storing Materials
• Do not store non-
compatible materials
together.

• In buildings under
construction, do not
place stored materials
within 6 feet of a
hoistway or floor
opening.
74
 Fall Protection

Employees who
work on stored
materials in silos,
hoppers, or tanks,
must be equipped
with lifelines and
harnesses.

75
Safety Practice?
 Brick Storage
• Stack bricks in a manner
that will keep them
from falling.

• Do not stack them more

than 7 feet high.

• Taper back a loose brick

stack after it is 4 feet
high.
77
 Lumber
• Remove nails before
stacking.

• Stack on sills.

• Stack lumber so that it

is stable and self
supporting.

78
 Housekeeping

Keep storage areas free from accumulated

materials that cause tripping, fires, or
explosions, or that may contribute to harboring
rats and pests.
79
 Disposal of Waste Materials
• Use an enclosed
chute when you
drop material more
than 20 feet outside
of a building.

• If you drop debris

through holes in the
floor without
chutes, enclose the
drop area with
barricades.
80
 Disposal of Scrap and Flammable
Materials
Remove all scrap lumber,
waste material, and rubbish
from the immediate work
area as work progresses.

Keep all solvent waste, oily

rags, and flammable liquids
in fire resistant covered
containers until removed
from worksite.
81
Disposal of Demolition Materials
Removal of materials through floor openings

• Openings must be
less than 25 percent
of the whole floor.

• Floors weakened or
made unsafe by
demolition must be
shored so they can
safely carry the
demolition load.

82
 Summary
•Manually handling materials
• When lifting objects, lift with your legs, keep your back
straight, do not twist, and use handling aids.

•Using cranes, forklifts, and slings to move materials

• Watch for potential struck by and crushed by dangers
• For slings, check their load capacity, inspect them, and
remove them from service when they display signs of
stress or wear.
VIDEO
•Also -
 Keep work areas free from debris and materials.
 Store materials safely to avoid struck by/crushed by
hazards.
83
Slips & Falls
 Introduction

Slips and falls cause:

• the majority of general industry accidents.
• 15 percent of all accidental deaths.
• more fatalities than all other causes but
motor vehicles.

85
 General Requirements
Housekeeping

• Workplaces must be kept

clean, orderly, and
sanitary.
• Workroom floors must be
maintained as clean and
dry as possible.

86
 General Requirements
Aisles and Passageways
• Keep clear and move
obstructions that could
create a hazard.
• Mark permanent aisles
and passageways.
• Aisles must be
sufficiently wide where
mechanical handling
equipment is used.
87
 General Requirements
Covers and Guardrails

Provide covers and/or

guardrails to protect
workers from the
hazards of open pits,
tanks, vats, ditches, and
the like.

88
 Floor Opening

An opening
measuring 12 inches
or more in its least
dimension in a floor,
platform, pavement,
or yard, through
which persons may
fall.

89
 Stairway Floor Openings
Must be guarded by a standard railing on all
exposed sides.

90
 Floor Hole
• An opening measuring less than
12 in. but more than 1 in. in its
least dimension, in a floor,
platform, pavement or yard,
through which materials but not
persons may fall.
• Every floor hole into which
persons can accidentally walk
must be guarded by either:
• standard railing
• cover
91
 Wall Openings
• Opening at least 30 in. high
and 18 in. wide, in a wall or
partition, through which
persons may fall.
• Wall openings from which
there is a drop of more
than 4 feet must be
guarded.

92
 Stairways

Flights of stairs
with four or more
risers must have
standard stair
railings or
handrails.

93
 Fixed Industrial Stairs

• Treads must be slip

resistant with uniform
rise height and tread
width.
• Must be able to carry 5
times expected load.
• Minimum width of 22 Violation here – several
inches. steps bent and damaged

94
 Portable Ladders
• Ladders used to gain access to
a roof or other area must
extend at least 3 feet above
the point of support.
• Withdraw defective ladders
from service and tag or mark
“Dangerous, Do Not Use”.
• Never use ladders in a
horizontal position as
scaffolds or work platforms.
• Never use metal ladders near
electrical equipment. 95
 Ladder Angle
Portable Rung and Cleat Ladders

Use at angle where the

horizontal distance from
the top support to the
foot of the ladder is ¼
the working length of
the ladder (length along
ladder between the foot
and top support).

96
 Fixed Ladders
• Permanently attached to a
structure, building or
equipment.
• Cages or wells required if longer
than 20 ft. to a maximum
unbroken length of 30 ft.
• Ladder safety devices may be
used on tower, water tank and
chimney ladders over 20 ft. in
unbroken length instead of cage
protection. 97
 Scaffolding
General Requirements
• Must be capable of supporting four
times the maximum intended load.
• Do not alter or move while in use.
• Protect workers on scaffolds from
overhead hazards.
• If higher than 10 ft., use guardrails,
midrails and toeboards.
• Use wire mesh between the toeboard
and guardrail if people work or pass
underneath.
• Must be equipped with access ladder
or equivalent.
98
 Summary

• Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of

general industry accidents.
• Keeping working surfaces clean, dry, and
uncluttered can prevent many workplace
accidents.

VIDEO

99
Excavations
 Excavation Hazards
Cave-ins are the greatest risk.
Other hazards include:
• Toxic fumes / lack of oxygen.
• Inhalation of toxic materials.
• Fire.
• Moving machinery near the edge
of the excavation can cause a
collapse.
• Accidental severing of
underground utility lines.
• Drowning.
 Injury and Death

• Excavating is one of the

most hazardous
construction operations.
• Most accidents occur in
trenches 1.5-5m deep.
• There is usually no warning
before a cave-in.

102
 Definitions
• Excavation – a man-made cut, cavity, trench, or
depression formed by earth removal.
• Trench – a narrow excavation. The depth is
greater than the width, but not wider than 5
m.
• Shield - a structure able to withstand a cave-in
and protect employees
• Shoring - a structure that supports the sides of
an excavation and protects against cave-ins
 Protection of Employees

• Employees should be protected from cave-ins

by using an adequately designed protective
system.

• Protective systems must be able to resist all

expected loads to the system.
Requirements for Protective Systems
A well-designed protective system
• Correct design of sloping and benching systems
• Correct design of support systems, shield
systems, and other protective systems

Plus
Appropriate handling of materials and equipment

Plus
Attention to correct installation and removal

Equals Protection of employees at excavations

OSHAX.org - The Unofficial Guide to the
OSHA
105
 Design of Protective Systems
The employer shall select and construct :
o slopes and configurations of sloping and
benching systems
o support systems, shield systems, and other
protective systems
• Shield - can be permanent or portable. Also
known as trench box or trench shield.
• Shoring - such as metal hydraulic, mechanical or
timber shoring system that supports the sides.
• Sloping - form sides of an excavation that are
inclined away from the excavation.
 Protect Employees Exposed to
Potential Cave-ins

• Slope or bench the sides

of the excavation,
• Support the sides of the
excavation, or
• Place a shield between
the side of the
excavation and the work
area
 Cave-in Hazard

This excavation
has inadequate
support posts
and egress
access.

Inadequate protective system

 Factors Involved in Designing a
Protective System
• Soil classification.
• Depth of cut.
• Water content of soil.
• Changes due to
weather and climate.
• Other operations in the
vicinity.
 Shoring
• Provides a
framework to
work in.
• Uses wales,
cross braces
and uprights.
• Supports
excavation
walls.
Trench Shield

A trench shield is
placed around this
work area.

VIDEO
 Protection from Vehicles

• Install
barricades.
• Hand /
mechanical
signals.
• Stop logs.
Hazardous Conditions

The weight and

vibrations of the
crane make this a
very hazardous
condition.
They should not
be working under
this crane.
 Spoils
• Do not place spoils
close to edge of
excavation.
• Measure from
nearest part of the
spoil to the
excavation edge.
• Place spoils so
rainwater runs away
from the excavation.
• Place spoil well away
from the excavation.
 Other Excavation Hazards
• Water accumulation
• Oxygen deficiency
• Toxic fumes
• Access/Egress
• Falls
• Mobile equipment
 Water is Hazardous

When water
is present in
an excavation
it is
extremely
hazardous to
enter.

Note that these workers are not

wearing hardhats to protect them
from materials falling into the trench
 Water = Cave-in Hazard

These workers must be protected from cave-in. Note the

water in the bottom of the trench. This is a very
hazardous condition!
Hazardous Atmosphere
Test excavations more
than 4 feet before an
employee enters the
excavation for:
• Oxygen deficiency.
• High combustible gas
concentration.
• High levels of other
hazardous
substances.
 Means of Egress
This ladder does not meet the
A stairway, ladder, requirements of the standard
or ramp must be
present in
excavations that
are deeper than
1.5m , and within
8m of the
employees.

The ladder should extend 1m

above the excavation
 Competent Person
Must have had specific training in
and be knowledgeable about:
• Soils classification.
• The use of protective
systems.
• The requirements of the
standard.
Must be capable of identifying
hazards, and authorized to
immediately eliminate hazards.
 Inspections of Excavations
A competent person must
make daily inspections of
excavations, areas around
them and protective systems:
• Before work starts and as
needed,
• After rainstorms, high
winds or other occurrence
which may increase
hazards, and
• When you can reasonably
anticipate an employee will
be exposed to hazards.
 Inspections of Excavations
If the competent person finds
evidence of a possible cave-in,
indications of failure of
protective systems, hazardous
atmospheres, or other
hazardous conditions:
• Exposed employees must be
removed from the
hazardous area.
• Employees may not return
until the necessary
precautions have been
taken.
 Site Evaluation Planning
Before beginning excavation:
• Evaluate soil conditions.
• Construct protective
systems.
• Test for low oxygen,
hazardous fumes and toxic
gases.
• Provide safe in and out
access.
Fissure
• Contact utilities.
• Determine the safety
equipment needed.
 Summary
• The greatest risk in an excavation is a cave-
in.
• Employees can be protected through sloping,
shielding, and shoring the excavation.
• A competent person is responsible to inspect
the excavation.
• Other excavation hazards include water
accumulation, oxygen deficiency, toxic
fumes, falls, and mobile equipment.
 Personal Safety Rules of Conduct
• Wear correct worksite clothing plus basic safety gear (hardhats,
safety shoes, eye and ear protection).
• Do not operate equipment without proper training.
• Learn the safety procedures that apply to your work.
• Stay out of dangerous places and confined spaces if you’re not
trained to do so.
• Never place yourself in danger when alone on site.
• Do not assume situations are safe.
• Trust your instincts. If it feels unsafe it probably is.
• Ask questions before getting into trouble.
• Get out of the way.
• Take charge of unsafe conditions. Report unsafe work conditions
to those in danger or to supervisors. Safety is everyone’s
responsibility.
• Attend training.
• Never stop learning about safety.