Introduction

The construction industry has been identified as one of the most hazardous industries in many

parts of the world. Historically, construction workers experience more fatal and nonfatal

injuries from accidents requiring them to take time off more than workers of other industries

(Banik, n.d.). International Labour Organization estimates that, annually at least 60,000 fatal

accidents takes place on construction sites around the world and one fatal accident occurs

every ten minutes in this sector and that around 17% of all fatal accidents at work (one in every

six ) happen on construction sites .

An accident can be defined more formally as ‘an undesired event, which results in physical

harm and or property damage, usually resulting from contact with a source of energy above the

ability of the body or structure to withstand it. The construction industry in Sri Lanka has

experienced severe accidents at work sites. The Island (May 2012) states that, the construction

sector has the highest number of work related accidents in Sri Lanka and the highest frequency

of fall-related fatalities was experienced by the construction industry. Lanka Business Online

(LBO) states that, occupational safety and health issues remain weak in the Sri Lankan

construction industry, with most fatalities due to negligence, carelessness or stupidity.

The department of labor (2005) reveals that, out of the fatal accidents that takes place in Sri

Lanka, 30% of the accidents is from construction industry. The client and contractors believe

that, the safety systems established at construction sites increases the construction cost. Even

the laborers are of the opinion that, wearing the personal protective equipment (PPE) during

work reduces productivity.

All society members such as employees, families, employer’s economy and resources will be

affected by the occurrence of a site accident. The higher the number of accidents that take

place in a construction site, it becomes an indicator of how bad the site is managed and it

affects severely the image of the project manager and the organization. According to

Ramachandra et al (n.d.) the occupational health and safety is considered as one of the

significant factors which create image for the construction industry in Sri Lanka.

Impacts of Accidents

Mthalane et. al. (n.d.) studied the social and economic impacts of site accidents on the

construction company and on the affected family. They found that, loss of productivity,

disruption of current work, training costs for replacements, damages to plant and equipment,

corrective actions to prevent re-occurrence of accident, degradation of efficiency, expenditures

on emergency equipment, slowdowns in operations while accident causes are determined,

costs of workman’s compensation insurance, medical payments, insurance premiums, costs of

rescue operations and equipment, loss of function and operations income, payment for

settlements of injury or death claims, legal fee for defense against claims, and increased

insurance costs as the economic impacts that affects the company. Further, depression of

employees and work fellows, loss of public confidence, loss of customer satisfaction, loss of

company image, and degradation of morale were identified as the social impact on the

company.

Holt (2005) identified the economic impacts of construction accidents such as uninsured

property and material damage, delays, loss of expertise, fines, overtime cost and temporary

labour, clerical work, management time spent on investigation, and decreased output from

those replacing the injured workers.

Instruction

The government of the nation has been giving seminars and special attention on safety related aspects in the construction industry.

Below is a picture of a seminar hosted by Signature Events in 2013,

As usual training is a prominent feature in the field of construction where the training for safety related affairs can be a knowledgeable criterion for the workers who are expected to take on the site works. It is advisable to the private construction sector to take part in these events on the invitation of the hosts to develop the skills of the workers and mitigate the possible accidents in the site through understanding the construction environment.

As obvious as it may seem training the employees in the construction field is such an important aspect in the construction’s point of view. It is advisable to the private organizations too, with the approval of the government to arrange training programs to the construction workers with the stakeholders who could enter the site. It is a common notice from several C1 graded companies with the statement of ‘SAFETY FIRST’, which is quiet motivating to the workers to be careful first in the site.

As the site workers get into action with the quality assurance and safety factors it can be a safe environment with less or no victims of injuries until the completion of the projects in the site and get the works done with satisfaction.

The concept of an establishment of a safety institute is advisable for the sake of construction industry with the appropriate necessity of perfect interpretation by the experts. Every stakeholders of the project better be involved in the establishment. So the perception can be equally distributed. Every possible safety related factors in the construction could be exemplified to the related workers in the different fields of the construction process. As injury has been turned out to be a common occurrence in the construction process, even the safest person in the site can be harmed.

Safety basics while handling tools too has to be considered such as

i. Make sure that electric tools are properly grounded or double-insulated.ii. Never remove or tamper with safety devices.iii. Study the manufacturer’s instructions before operating any new or unfamiliar electric

tool.iv. Regulations require that ground fault circuit interrupters be used with any portable

electric tool operated outdoors or in wet locations.v. Before making adjustments or changing attachments always disconnect the tool from

the power source.vi. When operating electric tools, always wear eye protection.

vii. When operating tools in confined spaces or for prolonged periods, wear hearing protection.

viii. Make sure that the tool is held firmly and the material properly secured before turning on the tool.

Visitors Rules

Construction sites are high risk environments where visitors may not be aware of the dangers. Employees must be alert and watch for visitors and ensure they follow all site safety rules.All visitors to work sites must check in with the site foreman before entering the work area. Visitors are designated as people who are not regular daily workers on the site and who will not be engaged in the actual work. This may include management, client's representatives, engineers, architects, salespersons, delivery persons (not including ready-mix truck and pump operators), clients and government officials. Sub-contractors are not considered "visitors" and must wear the PPE as designated by the safety program. All visitors must supply and wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment while in the work area.

Fatal Accidents

7 18 24 27 18 35 19

Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Minimum requirements are

Approved safety footwear Approved hard hat

Others that may be required are Respiratory Protection, Hearing Protection and Eye Protection. The site foreman will designate what PPE is required. All employees are directed to inform any visitors to the site of this policy if infractions are noted. Employees are to direct all visitors to the foreman as soon as they arrive on site. If the project is located on a highway, visitors must be directed to a safe parking area. Visitors who refuse to wear the appropriate PPE will be directed to leave the site and a written report of the incident will be sent to the violator's place of employment.

Authorized employee representatives must be physically present during risk assessment walk through or the employer must have documented, multiple efforts made to include the authorized employee representatives and receipts of input from authorized employee representatives.

Usage of tools

Cutting and drilling attachments must be kept sharp to avoid overloading the motor. Operators should not crowd or push the tool beyond capacity. Such handling can burn out the motor, ruin the material, and injure the operator in the event of a kickback.

Some attachments, such as spade bits, and screwdrivers need significant control by the machinist. If the machinist does not feed the accessory gradually and prudently into the material, the drill can abruptly stop and harshly twist or break the machinists arm. Stock should be fastened or otherwise secured to prevent it from moving. This will also enable the operator to control the tool with both hands and absorb sudden twists or stops caused by obstructions such as knots or hidden nails.

Operators must restrain the drill just before the bit or cutting attachment emerges through the material, especially when oversized spade bits are used. Sides of the bit often become hooked on the ragged edge of the nearly completed hole and make the drill come to a sudden stop that can wrench the operators arm.

At the first sign of the bit breaking through the material, the operator should withdraw the drill and complete the work from the other side. This will produce a cleaner job and prevent the material from cracking or splintering.

Usage of personal protective equipment in Sri Lanka

Never Hard HatSafety BootsHi-Viz Jacket

0030

Rarely Hard HatSafety BootsHi-Viz Jacket

20154

Occasionally Hard HatSafety BootsHi-Viz Jacket

434136

Often Hard HatSafety BootsHi-Viz Jacket

484010

According to the chart above it has been found that the use of hard hat and safety boot has been prevalent despite the fact several construction firms don’t implement them on their construction sites. But the uses of Hi-Viz jacket turns out to be quiet rare even with those C1 graded companies in the nation. So this has to be considered well and brought up with excellent solutions for the sake of the employees.

Construction Safety Management

Hard Hat

Safety Boots

Hi-Viz Jacket

Hard Hat

Safety Boots

Hi-Viz Jacket

Hard Hat

Safety Boots

Hi-Viz Jacket

Hard Hat

Safety Boots

Hi-Viz Jacket

Never Rarely Occasionally Often

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

The nature in construction industry is the fact that whilst a contractor implements a safety program in a construction project experiences a positive comeback due to the techniques undertaken by the organization. As a result the injuries are mitigated and on the other side the productivity is increased. The chart below shows the way how the world construction industry experiences the safety programs with such a positive consequence. Sri Lankan construction industries too have some sort of intention on the aspect of safety program on every single construction companies, but several of them do not implement or make it effective while the construction process is on. This is the point where the risks of injuries are dramatically increased.

Significance of Safety Programs in Construction Industries

Project Schedule

Project Budget

Project ROI

Reportable Injuries

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Negative ImpactPositive Impact

There are different ways to develop a safety plan for the construction sites, but there are certain factors what have to be held in mind by the organizations. The plan should mainly involve the protection of workers, the public and the property with special priority. There are several instances in which the private structures or the adjacent properties get harmed due to the negligence of the workers which can ultimately result in injuries of on related people. So these factors should be given top attention to mitigate the vulnerable environment while the construction is on.

Step by step way to manage such circumstances in which project failures are common in the safety aspect.

Step Tool

Identify all confined space equipment, this may be completed by carrying out a sum"

Survey Use of all equipment used for confined space entry work

Create a register of identified equipment and give each piece of equipment a number

Register Fall protection, rule, ventilation and monitoring equipmentregisterIdentify manufacture specifications for

maintenance, repair work and storageManufacturers maintenance repair work spedfication

A record of maintenance and storage requirements

Develop a method to record maintenance and repair work carried out

Manufacturers maintenance repair work specification

Process for recording maintenance Et repair work carried out

Refer to manufacturer's requirements and develop a schedule for performingmaintenance

Manufacturers maintenance andrepair work specification

Schedule for planned maintenance for confined space equipment

manufacturer's maintenance and repair work specifications, and identify and record competency requirements for personnel performing maintenance and repair work,

Manufacturers maintenance andrepair work specification

standards for performing maintenance and repair work or requirement to send off site

Record the following:Register of all equipmentCompetency standards for personnel performing maintenancemaintenance specificationsSchedule for maintenanceMethod for recording performed maintenance

All developed outputs Maintenance Program Means to identify if equipment has been checked, via records or a tagging system.

Raise awareness maintenance program at tool box talks or Prestart meetings.

Awareness Material Raised awareness of staff of maintenance program

Impacts of Accidents

Mthalane et. al. (n.d.) studied the social and economic impacts of site accidents on the construction company and on the affected family. They found that, loss of productivity, disruption of current work, training costs for replacements, damages to plant and equipment, corrective actions to prevent re-occurrence of accident, degradation of efficiency, expenditures on emergency equipment, slowdowns in operations while accident causes are determined, costs of workman’s compensation insurance, medical payments, insurance premiums, costs of rescue operations and equipment, loss of function and operations income, payment for settlements of injury or death claims, legal fee for defense against claims, and increased insurance costs as the economic impacts that affects the company. Further, depression of employees and work fellows, loss of public confidence, loss of customer satisfaction, loss of company image, and degradation of morale were identified as the social impact on the company.

Holt (2005) identified the economic impacts of construction accidents such as uninsured property and material damage, delays, loss of expertise, fines, overtime cost & temporary labour, clerical work, management time spent on investigation, and decreased output from those replacing the injured workers.

According to Peiris (n.d.), the losses due to accidents include the direct cost and the indirect costs which are high and hidden. The direct losses include the compensation and medical cost insurance. The indirect losses include time lost, repairs to plant and equipment, legal cost and fines, investigation time, bad reputation, low morale, low quality products, production delays, and damages or loss of product/ raw material.

Overall Ranking of causes of accidents

Major causes for accidents Category Major group RII Rank

Failure to appoint a safety officer

Administration Managerial

0.76 1

& Financial Factors

Inadequate training programme on

Training

Managerial

0.7428 2

safety Factors

Failure to use PPE (Personnel

Manpower

Human

0.7257 3

Protective Equipment) Factors

Unsafe methods used for loading Site layout & Managerial

0.7143 4

and unloading of materials stores Factors

Inadequate time for relaxation

Administration Managerial

0.7086 5

& Financial Factors

Lack of training for teamwork Training

Managerial

0.7086 5

Factors

Inadequate training on material

Training

Managerial

0.7029 7handling & store management Factors

Failure to appoint a safety officer

According to the above findings, the ‘failure to appoint a safety officer’ was found to be the most significant cause for the accidents in building construction industry and its RII is 0.76. Seventy two percent of the respondents have selected ‘failure to appoint a safety officer’ as either extremely significant or very significant.

There are many advantages in recruiting a fulltime safety officer at building construction sites. It is highlighted in the training manual for safety, health and welfare on construction sites of ILO (1995) that, “no safety policy or plan is workable without assigning a specific duty to a specific person”, which is a noteworthy point for the building construction industry in Sri Lanka. The training manual further states that, “every construction company of any size should appoint a properly qualified person (or persons) whose special and main responsibility is the promotion of safety and health.”

Failure to use PPE (Personnel Protective Equipment)

Failure to use PPE has been ranked third and its RII is 0.7257. PPE should be used by all employees particularly in those conditions where safety hazards are available. The basic PPE should include hard hats (helmets), eye protection (safety glasses, goggles or face shields), safety footwear and appropriate clothing. Specialized PPE, such as respirators, fall protection equipment and special clothing, is recommended to be used for protection from specific hazards. The organization must have strict rules in wearing the personal protective equipment and the safety officer must observe and instruct the workers on PPE.

Unsafe methods used for loading and unloading of materials

Loading and unloading is a frequent event occur in construction sites. Lifting heavy objects such as timber planks, steel bars, etc. while loading onto/off-loading from a truck or delivering to/from storage. It has been ranked as 4th and its RII is 0.7143. Different organizations may use different methods to get the job done. If a company uses unsafe methods it will lead to fatal accidents and enormous damage to properties.

Hazards in a workplace can arise from a number of sources including

a. Poor designing of work placeb. Performing hazardous works in workplacec. Introducing of poorly designed plants in workplaced. False installation, commissioning, use, inspection, maintenance, service, repair or

alteration of plant in the workplacee. Exposure of people to hazardous substances, processes or environment

Hazard Identification Sources and methods

The safety assessment process in the Design and Certification process identifies and classifies most of the hazards, assesses the risks, and introduces controls - this is a good starting point for identifying the hazards to the operation and there should ideally be a clear link between design and certification and operations.

a. Safety Reporting which includes safety occurrence reporting through mandatory and voluntary reporting schemes

b. Internal scrutiny

c. Trend investigation of safety occurrence

d. Information provided by personnel, from operational perspective and training

e. Using automated data collecting tools

f. Results from safety surveys and operational oversight safety audits carried out internally and by States

g. Observing of routine normal operations and environment

h. Official State inquiry results of accidents and serious incidents

i. Information discussion practices between operators or service providers

Overall Ranking of Impacts of Accidents

Impacts of accidents in building construction industry Impacts RII Rank

Loss of expertise Economic Impact 0.72 1

Cost of rescue operations & equipment Economic Impact 0.6857 2

Loss of productivity Economic Impact 0.68 3

Slowdown in operation while accident causes

are determined Impact on Time 0.68 3

Loss of customer satisfaction Social Impacts 0.6685 5

Legal fees for defense against claims Economic Impact 0.6571 6

Overtime cost & temporary labour Economic Impact 0.6571 6

Loss of confidence of workers Social Impacts 0.6514 8

Damages to plant & equipment (uninsured) Economic Impact 0.6457 9

Insurance premiums Economic Impact 0.6457 9

The study found that, the impact on economy to the organization is more severe than the social impact and impact on time of an accident (refer fig.2). ‘Loss of expertise’ is found to be the most significant impact of an accident and its RII is 0.72. Often lack of internal expertise or trained personnel result in poor attitudes and ultimately poor performance.The respondents have selected ‘Cost of rescue operations & equipment’ as the 2nd most important impact of accidents in building construction industry and its RII is 0.6857.‘Loss of productivity’ is ranked third. ‘Slowdown in operation while accident causes are determined’, ‘Loss of customer satisfaction’, ‘Legal fees for defense against claims’, ‘Overtime cost & temporary labour’, ‘Loss of confidence of workers’ Damages to plant & equipment (uninsured), and Insurance premiums are some of the other significant impacts of accidents at building construction sites.

Poor maintenance of site

Poor maintenance of site also has been an important cause for accidents in building construction sites and its RII is 0.6971. Regular maintenance is essential to keep equipment, machines and the work environment safe and reliable. It helps to eliminate workplace hazards. Lack of maintenance or inadequate maintenance can lead to dangerous situations and accidents such as slips, trips and fall. Regular cleaning of construction sites, maintenance and regular service of construction equipment and machinery may reduce their failure and cause less or no injuries to the operators and other workers.

The maintenance of the site from the beginning of the construction works until the completion of the works is an important criterion especially for the safety of the site worker but also for the neighboring building and people. The maintenance has to be on regularity so that the poor circumstances of the site can be overcome such as the slung trashes and site wastes. Other biological diseases can be mitigated through such maintenance works.

Employees have to make sure that their risk control measures are adequate and that they are used and maintained and that they continue to work with no problems or risks and if there is any they have to inform to the responsible people. (I also have to put in place any back up measures that may be needed like health surveillance or emergency procedures). And I have to inform, train and supervise employees though they have been through all these.

Another reason to focus on health and safety training is because it works for everybody that is in employed where to work. People work in a healthy and safe manner, at the end of day it is much easier to get their tasks accomplished. It turns working safely benefits everyone around including the company workers work for.

And additionally to make sure that the workers have the ability to,

1. Report and record accidents2. Provide certain basic workplace, first aid and welfare facilities3. Have employer’s liability insurance4. Notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Local Authority of their

existence5. Have consultation with the representatives

It is also important to provide training to the employees for,

1. Reducing insurance costs2. The safeness of the site3. More productivity4. Training the juniors5. Increase the safeness and security6. Prefer and dress plausible cloths7. Beware of visible and practical risks8. Learning the procedure of first aiding9. Perceiving to extinguish fire rapidly10. Emergency access

Sri Lanka yields several health and safety training programs for employees. Both government and non-governmental organization provide such opportunities to the welfare of workers and employers as well.

Since Sri Lanka is a rapidly growing country in industrial sector, the need for employees is increasing. As long as they keep entering various sectors, proper training has to be provided. Since The Literacy rate of Sri Lanka is better compared to neighboring other countries, the employees can have an easy glimpse towards written statements and learn several facts about health and safety on construction site in particular.

The training opportunities provided on occupational health and safety

Private Organizations and Institutions

ATA International TrainingThis includes

1. Emergency medicine2. Occupational medicine3. Occupational hygiene4. Technical rescue5. Industrial fire-fighting6. Health and safety

Purpose: To equip professionals with internationally certified courses those are generally regarded as being obligatory in respect of Health and Safety regulation compliance.

Fire Marshall Training and Fire Safety TrainingThis includes

1. Fire management issues2. arrangements and facilities in place covering the Fire Safety at work

Purpose: providing Clear understanding of employee’s legal responsibilities, thus permitting the employees to approach and deal with all tasks as stated above.

St. John Ambulance, Sri Lanka (Mainly for young people)This includes

1. Disaster Preparedness and Management2. Occupational Health and Safety3. First Aid 4. Medical techniques at emergency

Purpose: This is a program especially conducted for young people to perceive and learn important life skills in a fun and safe environment, but fun and excitements are appropriate to their age. This can be a perfect foundation for their future occupational safety.

Public organizations and Institutions

SLSI (Sri Lanka Standards Institution)

Quality Management (Occupational Safety)

1. Diploma in Quality Management2. Workshop on Quality Control

Environmental Management Systems

1. Training to evaluate environmental impacts2. Auditing on Environmental management

Hygiene and food quality assurance

1. Food hygiene training 2. Training on hazard analysis for food industry

Oil Industry Health and safety training center

Since Sri Lanka has the treasure of Gas and oil in the Gulf of Mannar, Workers are entitled to health and safety issue. The oil industry is new for Sri Lanka and has thrown up opportunities to provide,

1. Training in Quality to manage the Oil and Gas related issues 2. Health, Safety and Environment

(Mannar oil exploration, Google)

Injuries and death in oil Industry and oil exploration are so common despite the fact Sri Lanka has not yet reported such affairs. To prevent any future hazardous activities in the sector it is always important to provide training not only to the workers but to the neighboring residents as well.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions

It is evident from the overall discussion in this study that, ‘Failure to appoint a safety officer’ as

the most significant cause of the accident in building construction industry. ‘Inadequate training

program on safety’ has been identified as the second most important causes for accidents. In

addition, ‘Failure to use PPE’, ’Unsafe methods used for loading and unloading of materials’,

‘Inadequate time for relaxation’, ‘Lack of training for teamwork’, ‘Inadequate training on

material handling & store management’, ‘Time pressure applied on staff/workers’, ‘Financial

restrictions’ and ‘Poor maintenance’ are identified as the major causes for accidents in building

construction sites.

The findings further illustrate that, the contribution from the managerial factors have been

significant in causing accidents. Ninety percent of the top ten causes identified are related to

the managerial factors. Job factors, human factors and acts of nature have also contributed to

the accidents, but at a less significant level.

Building site accidents in Sri Lanka have influential impacts in the economy of the construction

company. The study identified that, 70% of the top ten impacts represent the group of

economic impacts. ‘Loss of expertise’, ‘Cost of rescue operations & equipment’ and ‘Loss of

productivity’ represents the highest economic impact.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made in order to prevent or mitigate accidents in building construction industry in Sri Lanka.

Educate and train staff and laborers on site safety

Construction companies have to educate on knowledge, attitudes and train on skills to their employees on health and safety at construction sites. This has become an urgent need in order to provide the awareness and to prevent/ mitigate construction accidents. Preparing and issuing a safety hand book can be a good initiation in this regard. Organization such as Labor Department, Contractors Association, Chamber of Construction Industry and ICTAD also should take initiatives and the lead in providing site safety training to the workers at all levels.

Appoint a health and safety officer

Construction firms have to appoint health and safety officers to make safety a major priority in the construction site.

Strictly implementing policies on safety at site

Employees have to adhere and respect all safety rules placed on site. Employers should have written safety policies at site and be much stricter to individuals who violate safety rules.

Strict government policies to be imposed on site safety

The government should enforce the current health and safety procedures legislated and take active plans to ensure that all the construction companies follow the health and safety procedures properly.

PPE (Personnel Protective Equipment)

The construction company must make PPE sufficiently available at site. All employees have to wear required personnel protective equipment on site and be aware of their surroundings.

Allow sufficient time for relaxation to laborers

The organization must allow sufficient time for relaxation for laborers in order to avoid the stress and tension of the worker. Organizing occasional entertainment activities for site workers can motivate the employees.

� Allocate funds for site safety

�� The construction company must allocate separate funds for site safety from the project

budget. To implement all kind of safety procedure financial support is essential even to

appoint a safety officer.

�� Monitoring through a common body

�� Organizations which have direct bearing to the construction industry such as Labor

Department, ICTAD and Bureau of Standards are coming under different ministries.

Therefore, there must be a common body that has the authority to detect and fine

errant contractors for the inadequacies in the safety.

One of the most prominent facts to look at when talking about health and safety workplace is what it does for the moral of every single worker in the prospect. Whatever it takes to get the employees coming to work with a smile on their face is the key issue. If all the employees are happy with their surroundings, that can be the major cause of the succession of the site in occupational health and safety and economic prospect.

References