SAFETY IN ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION

SAFETY IN ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION

Safety is the state of being “safe”, the condition of being protected from harm or other non-desirable outcomes. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.

Construction is a high hazard industry that comprises a wide range of activities involving construction, alteration, and/or repair. Examples include residential construction, bridge erection, roadway paving, excavations, demolitions, and large scale painting jobs. Construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to serious hazards, such as falling from rooftops, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, electrocutions, silica dust, and asbestos.

Safety is of a paramount importance in engineering, both during its construction and when it is opened for use. To prevent and minimise and damages during construction relevant signs and warnings are used such as diversion, notice, flaggers and warning signs etc. Examples include flashlights, beacons, cones etc.

 Safety during construction

Construction work on the road or roadway can, in the absence of adequate planning. Organisations and implementation, lead to unsafe conditions for workers and all road users including pedestrian and cyclist. Highway construction and maintenance signs fall into the same three major categories as do other traffic signs, namely

• Regulatory signs e.g. stop sign, one way sign, yield sign etc.
• Warning signs e.g. construction approach warning signs, detour sign, road closed sign etc.
• Guide signs e.g. approaching barrier sign, barricades etc.

Safety within the work zone

• Restrict personal access points into work areas and define/designate ‘no backing zones’ and ‘pedestrian-free zones’.
• Design into the Temporary Traffic Control Plan flow paths for equipment and vehicle traffic to minimize backing manoeuvres where possible as well as buffer spaces to protect pedestrian workers from straying traffic vehicles and/or work zone equipment.
• Establish procedures for entering and exiting work zone.
• Train all employees on the Temporary Traffic Control Plan and its precautionary measures.

Safety requirements for workers

• Wear high-visibility safety apparel (vest & head gear in photos)
• Be alert for construction vehicles and equipment as well as general traffic.
• Check surroundings often for hazards.
• Know the plan for traffic flow.
• Keep a safe distance from traffic.
• Communicate with other workers, especially when there are changes in procedures, locations, or traffic flow pattern.