Environment, Health and Safety in Construction Projects:

what Architects should know

Olusegun Paul Adetokunbo Ladega FNIA

Managing Director

Interstate Architects Ltd.

Architecture and the Environment

• Every Piece of Architecture alters the Landscape.

• Resources are used, and environmental impacts are created, throughout the lifecycle of Every Piece of Architecture.

• Alters the Landscape: – A physical object in the Landscape

– Every building has an impact on its immediate surroundings

• Wind pattern

• Storm water runoff

• Impact on Neighbours and Passersby

– Shadow, Glare, etc.

– Noise, and other Nuisance

• Impact Vehicular traffic

• Takes out Resources from the environment: – Materials

– Energy

• Most of these resources are non renewable

• Gives back to the environment – Wastes

– Emission

• Mostly polluting

Architecture and the Environment

Las Vegas hotel guests left with severe burns from 'death ray' caused by building's design

Architecture Health and Safety

• There are risks and hazards associated with the Construction of Buildings

• There are also risks and hazards associated with the operation and Maintenance of buildings

• The Architect’s Health and Safety Responsibility: – the construction work can be carried out, so far as is

reasonably practicable, without risks to the health or safety of any person affected by the project .

– Buildings should be safe to use and promote the health and wellbeing of its Users

The Building Life Cycle

Construction

Fit Out

&

Installation

Use and Occupation

Operation

&

Maintenance

Renovation & Modification

End of Life

Concept

Development

Design

&

Planning

Architects must understand and Cater for the Environment, health and safety issues associated with each stage in the life of a building

Legal Frame Codes, Legislation and Regulations

• The National Building Code 2006

• National Environment Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act of 2007 – National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations, 2010. S. I. No.

19. The purpose of these Regulations is to prevent and minimize pollution from Construction, Decommissioning and Demolition Activities to the Nigerian Environment.

• Environmental Impact Assessment Act

• THE NIGERIAN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING ACT CAP N138, LFN 2004

• The LAND USE ACT CAP 202, LFN 2004

• State Physical Planning and Development Control Laws and regulations

• Factories Act (1958, 1987 & CAP.126 L.F.N.1990, CAP. F1 L.F.N.2004);

• Labour Act (1974 & 1990)

• Workmen's Compensation Act (No.17, 1987, Cap. W6 LFN, 2004, 2010)

Legal Frame Codes, Legislation and Regulations

The Language of Architecture: Andrea Simitch and Val Warke

The Roles of The Architect

• Architect as Lead Designer – Designs the building such that it meets all the set environment,

health and safety objectives throughout the life cycle of the building. • The building must be resource efficient: to construct, operate ,

maintain and even yield up recyclable materials at its end of life

• The Building must not adversely affect the equilibrium of its immediate environment.

• It must be possible to Construct, Operation, Maintain and even Dispose of the building without risk to Health and safety.

• Architect as Construction Contract Administrator – Ensures that the Owner and building contractor comply fully

with all Environment, Health and Safety measures throughout the period of the construction.

Resource Efficient Design “the architect has a moral responsibility to consider whatever may affect the

efficiency of the building and the well-being of the people whom he is housing”

HASSAN FATHY Man, Natural Environment, and Architecture

A resource efficient design: makes minimal use of materials, energy, and development space

• Spatial Efficiency • Energy Efficiency

– Building Form and Layout – Building Envelope – Daylight Penetration

• Material Efficiency • Building Adaptability ( the ease of making alterations) • Maintainability ( Materials, energy and ease of carrying out

Maintenance)

Health & Safety Design Principles

• Identify all Environment, Health and safety Hazards associated with the Project.

• Analyse Risks due to the Hazards

• Determine Risks that will be Controlled by Design

• Determine risks to be controlled by others: – Builder (Construction Site Hazards)

– Owner/ Operator ( Safety Rules and Regulations)

*Hazard Identification *Risk Assessment *Risk Control

Risk assessment

• Preliminary hazard Analysis

– Identifies the Hazards, Events and situations that can cause harm.

• Human reliability Assessment

– Analyses the Human factor

• Constructability

– Checks the potential hazards and risks in the design at construction stage.

Hazard

Environment

• Site Issues – Soil Conditions

– Previous use of Site

– Hazardous materials

– Demolition ( Asbestos, Mercury, Lead paint etc.)

• Energy Efficiency – Building Orientation

– Building Envelope

– Daylight

– Electromechanically Installations

Health and Safety

• Building Type/Use

• Fire Safety

• Hygiene and sanitation

• Interior Air Quality

• Use of Material

• Construction Process

• Accessibility

• Prevention of Slips and Falls

• Ease of Maintenance

• Hazardous materials

Environment

• Choice of Materials

• Solvent and adhesives

Health and Safety

• Choice of Materials

• Solvent and adhesives

Hazard check list • Potential hazards associated with the design of buildings and

structures include but are not limited to the following examples.

• Electrical safety • Electrical installations • Underground power cables • Proximity to exposed cables • Work near high voltage power lines • Number and location of power points • Fire and emergencies • Fire risks • Fire detection and fire fighting • Emergency routes and exits • Access for and structural capacity to carry fire fighters • Other emergency facilities

Hazard check list • Movement of people and materials

• Safe access and egress • Traffic route and control • Loading bays and ramps • Other emergency facilities • Radiation • Exposure to ionising radiation • Exposure to non-ionising radiation, eg electromagnetic radiation • Working environment • Ventilation for thermal comfort and general air quality and specific

ventilation requirements for the work to be performed on the premises

• Temperature • Lighting including that of plant rooms • Acoustic properties and noise control, eg noise isolation, insulation

and damping • Seating • Slipperiness of floor surfaces for buildings • Space for occupants

Hazard check list

• Plant • Tower crane locations, loading and unloading • Mobile crane loads on slabs • Plant and machinery installed in a building or structure • Materials handling plant and equipment • Maintenance access to plant and equipment • The guarding of plant and machinery • Lift installations • Amenities and facilities • Necessary access to various amenities and facilities such as

storage, first aid rooms/sick rooms, rest rooms, meal and accommodation areas and drinking water

• Earthworks • Excavation, eg risks from earth collapsing or engulfment in

swampland • Exposure to underground utilities

Hazard check list

• Structural safety • Erection of steelwork or concrete frameworks • Temporary fragility or instability of structure • Load bearing requirements • Stability and integrity of structure • Manual handling • Methods of material handling • Accessibility of material handling • Loading docks and storage facilities • Access and egress paths and doorways to facilitate doorway or

other mechanical aids • Assembly and disassembly of pre-fabricated fixtures and fittings • Substances • Exposure to hazardous substances and materials including

insulation and decorative materials • Exposure to volatile organic compounds and off gassing through the

use of composite wood products or paints • Exposure to irritant dust and fumes

Hazard check list • Falls prevention

• Guard rails

• Footholds on or near guard railing

• Window heights and cleaning

• Anchorage points for building maintenance and cleaning

• Access to working spaces for construction, cleaning, maintenance and repairs

• Scaffolding

• Temporary work platforms

• Roofing materials and surface characteristics such as fragility, slip resistance and pitch

Hazard check list

• Specific risks

• Exposure to biological hazards

• Use of explosives

• Confined spaces

• Risk of drowning

• Over and under water work, including diving and work in caissons with compressed air supply

• Noise exposure

• Exposure to noise from plant

• Exposure to noise from surrounding area

• Design of workplace layout

• Note: The above listing contains examples only and is by no means complete.

List courtesy of Code of Practice Safe Buildings and Structures 2008

Architects Designs to Address • Constructability • Fire Safety

– Containment, Spread, Installations etc.

• Emergency Evacuation • Electricity Safety • Interior Air Quality

– Sick Building Syndrome, Respiration Infections, Use of Materials

• Hygiene and Sanitation • Separation of Traffic • Slips and Falls

– Stairs and Changes of Levels – Floor Finishes

Documentation

Architect

• Design Drawings

• Specifications

• Project Environment Health and Safety Plan

• Health and safety File

• As Built Drawings

• Operator’s Manual

Builder • Environment, Health and

Safety Site Induction

• Contractor’s Construction Method Statement

• Site establishment Plan

• Toolbox talks to be given throughout the project at the appropriate stages

• CEHS Report and Incident Reports

Site Operation

• Construction Phase is Principally the Buildier’s business the architect role as Contract administrator require tha he verifies that all necessary measures have been taken by the Builder.

• Construction Environmental, Health & Safety Plan – Each contractor performing construction work is required to

develop a Construction Environmental, Health & Safety Plan (CEHSP) prior to conducting any work activities on site.

• Training and Documentation – For all workers on site-specific environmental, health and safety

• Safety Bulletin Boards • Adequate PPEs Personal Protective Equipment

Case Study • Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos Office

Description of Building: 23 Storey Office Block Key Features: 1. High Performance Facade. Composed of High

performance solar control glass with advanced thermal insulation properties and Dry-Fix Natural Stone Cladding

2. Unitized Curtain-walling System 3. Flexible Interior subdivision system: Drywall, Fully

Demountable Partitions and Raise access floor system.

4. Requires 40% less energy than typical office building on a like for like basis

5. Integrated Building Management System

Case Study

• Installation of Unitized Curtainwalling

Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos Office

Raised Floor: Allows cable management and Flexible Office subdivisions

Dry-Fix Natural Stone Cladding. Air Gap Serves as insulation

Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos Office

Raised Floor: Allows cable management and Flexible Office subdivisions

Case Study • Installation of Partitions

Case Study

High Performance Facade. •Thermal Insulation •Non Reflective Glazing •40% Energy Savings

Central Bank of Nigeria Head-office Building Abuja

Charity Begins at Home

• Have an Environment, Health and safety Statement

• Consciously Cultivate a habit of Environment Health and Safety responsiveness

• The Architects workplace must epitomise the best practices in Environment, Health and Safety

• Thank You