CONSTRUCTION SAFETY – IV By AVINASH KUMAR GUPTA WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Chemical Substances•adhesive•cleaning agents for brick work/ stone work•decorative/ protective treatments for timber, metals, •floor treatments fungicides,• cements & grouts insultants, sealants,• paints solvents..

Chemicals

Chemicals• chemicals are hazardous, fire explosion, toxic,

poison.• dizziness, headache• lung diseases.• dermatitis.• damage to skin & eyes.

Chemicals

ENTRY INTO BODY• Inhaling or breathing in• Irritation to nose and throat• May penetrate to lungs and blood stream• Dust may cause lung disease• Quartz and asbestos dust destroys the lung

tissue• Tuberculosis and cancer

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY - IVWORKING ENVIRONMENT

INGESTION & SWALLOWING– Handle chemicals (Paints)– eating & smoking without washing hands– toxic vapors contaminate cups, plates or eating

utensils.– eating meals at the work site.ABSORPTION THROUGH SKIN– some solvents absorbed through skin - goes to

blood stream – brain & lever.– acids/ alkaline damages skin & eyes.

INHALATION

SWALLOWING

ABSORPTION

Chemicals

• Point to remember:• Some chemical hazards are easy to seeor smell.• However, there are also chemicals that you

cannot see or smell,and which therefore present an extremedanger.

Chemicals

Chemicals

Chemicals

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY - IVWORKING ENVIRONMENT

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

– substitute the chemical with a harmless or less hazardous one.

– enclose the process using chemica,l exhaust ventilation.

– use PPE

– keep containers in a separate store.

– put lable on the container.

– follow the instructions on label.

• while opening a container, hold a rag over the caps or lid, prevent spurt up.

• Avoid breathing in any fumes from chemicals.

• good ventilation

• leave the area on dizziness.

• impermeable clothing

• Use smallest quantity

PREVENTIVE MEASURESchemicals

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

– eye protection on transferring chemicals

– wash before eating

– skin – rinse with plenty of water

– flush eyes with water.

– seek medical alternation

– never use solvent to remove paint or grease from your skin

Read label

Every chemical used on site should havea label and sufficient information toensure its safe use

An example of a chemical safety datasheet, providing essential safety and

health information

HIGHILY INFLAMMABLE CHEMICALS

– study the label & inspections

– flammable liquids give off vabour.Never allow smoking in the area.

– keep containers in store till required.

– treat empty drums with care

– transferring in open air (large to small container)

– funnels & spouts to prevent spillage.

– ensure supply of fresh air in enclosed area (open doors & windows).

Chemical spillage soaked up with drysand

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCESCEMENT– cement mixes – cause of skin diseases.– irritant & allergic dermatitis.– cement burns or ulceration of skin.Precautions.– a void breathing in cement dust.– avoid skin contact by wearing long sleeved clothing full

length trousers, rubber boots & gloves.– Protect eyes, rinse with water.– clean off clothing or boots after work.– Asbestos dust cause lung damage & cancer.

ASBESTOSIt is found –

– thermal insulation of boilers– fire protection of steel work– thermal & acoustic treatment of building.– Fire protection of doors– Cladding on walls– partitions– ceiling tiles– corrugated sheets– gutter/ down pipes

ASBESTOS• PRECAUTIONS– while cutting AC sheets use hand tools to avoid

dust.– remove asbestos material before major

demolition work– wet method of removal– disposal at approved waste disposal site– separating asbestos work area from other

general work.– Dust you cannot see is more dangerous than

the dust your eyes see.

LEADIt is found • electricity cables• pies, gutters and old lead sheet

roods• motor fuels, storage tanks

LEAD

RISKS• risk from inhaling dust/ ----- by burning/

cutting, welding, grinding, spray painting of leaded paints

• readily absorbed through skin• causes constipation, abdominal pain, anemic,

weak mussels and kidney damage• affects brain, fits, arms impaired intellect

precautions (lead)

LEAD

PREVENTION OF RISKS• wash your hand before eating, don’t smoke

with lead in your hand• protective clothing and respiratory protective

equipment• work clothing on job and do not mix with

street clothing.

Remember

Point to remember:• Wash thoroughly and if possible• change out of work clothing before you leave the site, otherwise you may be taking

dangerous dust and dirt into your

AIDS

• danger exists due to cut or wounded by infected needles, razor blades found during construction work.

• wear heavy duty gloves & overalls

NOISE & VIBRATION• permanent damage to hearing • piling, tunneling

NOISE CONTROL• exhaust outlets to be provided with silencers/

mufflers• compressor motors cover closed• concrete breaker mufflers and similar devices

securily fitted• machinery penal are secured and do not rattle• provide sound insulating screens

NOISE AND VIBRATION

HEARING PROTECTION• measure noise levels• > 85-90 db is injurious• use ear muffs/ ear plugs• keep hearing protection clean• insert ear plug with clear hands

NOISE And VIBRATION

VIBRATION• injury to muscles, joints and affect blood

circulation white finger disease• wear glovesLIGHTINGadequate lightingshafts, stair ways

Compressor noise control – keep coversclosed, use muffler on pneumatic

hammer and wear hearing protectors

HOT WEATHER • high temp, humidity cause fatigue

• heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat stroke

PREVENTION

• sufficient work breaks

• rest areas away from work stations

• supply clean, cool drinking water, drink often in small quantities

• keep work clothes clean

HOT WEATHER• KEEP COOL

– keep out from direct sunlight

– avoid quick movements

– air circulation

– avoid tight clothes

– head protection

– cool drinks

– add salt to food

– shady place to rest

COLD WEATHER

• below 150 C, less of concentration and coordination – white finger syndrome while working with vibrating tools

• frostbite/ hypothermia• wind affect temp at 100 C & wind speed 32km/hour body temp

falls to freezing ‘chill facts’• ‘immersion foot’ if feet are not kept dry

–

COLD WEATHER• prefer clothing – allow moisture to escape avoid bulky cloths• hands and feet one susceptible to cold• hot meals & drinks• drying clothing facilities

REMEMBER• If you have to shout to make yourself heard by

someone about 1 m away, there is a noise problem requiring action.

• When moving from a very bright area to shaded area, give your eyes time to adjust.

• the urine you pass is less than usual and strong and dark in colour, you are not drinking enough water to replace loss through perspiration.

• If someone appears to be suffering from immersion foot or hypothermia, move him or her into a warm place and allow slow recovery. Sudden warming may increase the injury