OSHA

Dummies Guide To Construction Safety Hazards

Construction blogger

Few would disagree that construction safety hazards is the most important issue in the American construction industry today. The very nature of the work effectively means that hazards will always be present and that action must be taken to control these.

The federal government has created the OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure that good practice is enforced in the whole country.

It is up to contractors and companies to stay up to date with changes in legislation, regulations and standards so that they always in compliance. Despite this, accidents still occur and there are many reasons why they do. Below are the most common hazards one find on any construction site.

1. Falling Objects

On a construction site, there is always a chance that something will fall on someone. As a result, it is always recommended that all personnel wear hard hats, but sometimes it may not be enough to prevent serious injury from big and heavy objects. In most of these, human error is a fault and as a result, it’s important that personnel are always attentive.

2. Chemicals

Quite often, chemicals play a part in construction. The main problem is human exposure to these over a long period of time which can lead to serious illnesses and hold back a project due to a lack of personnel. Furthermore, chemicals tend to be flammable and have to be managed with great care.

3. Electricity

Electricity is one of those construction safety hazards that is understated because its not the first thing that pops into peoples minds when they think of hazards. You cannot forget that construction sites typically have power lines which must be managed correctly to avoid accidents. You can’t leave out the issue regarding power tools.

4. Excavations

Construction always involves sort of excavation and the danger is that there could be cave ins. Many workers can be left trapped underground and get asphyxiated. Another thing is that these holes tend to be big and falling into them can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones.

5. Heavy equipment

Cranes and forklifts are common sights on the construction site and have to be used with the greatest care for your fellow workers.

There are certainly a lot of construction safety hazards that you will have to deal with during a project which means that your work will be cut out.

Construction Injuries in Birmingham

Construction blogger

The construction industry encompasses a number of trades and job types both skilled and unskilled. The construction industry in total has one of the highest worker injury rates of any industry.

Hazards inherent to construction work are often known but can be hard to control in workplaces that change constantly. The use of heavy equipment, tools, machines, scaffolds, and ladders, all of which may be unsafe or used improperly contribute to the hazards on a construction site. Construction accidents are caused by many other factors, including work methods, site conditions, worker failure to use safety equipment, and a lack of proper worker training. Common construction injuries include falls, burns, cuts (including amputations), explosions and electrocution. Construction Injury Liability

Typically there are several individuals and organizations working at a construction site. Many or all of them may be liable for injuries that occur including the construction site owner, architects and engineering professionals, contractors, construction managers, and manufacturers of construction machinery or equipment. Commonly, construction projects are based on a general contract relationship, where a general contractor, hired by the site owner, enters into agreements with sub-contractors to perform specific portions of the job, such as electrical or plumbing work.

Construction projects usually involve delegation of both work and legal responsibility, including from site owner to general contractor and general contractor to “prime” or “sub”-contractor. Courts will weigh the extent of control over the premises on which the work is being done and the degree of control over the work itself in determining who is legally at fault for the injuries sustained by a worker.

Both the general and sub-contractors have a legal obligation to provide workers with a construction site that is safe, and they have a legal duty to warn workers of any hazards at the site that they are aware of. Generally, a contractor will have a duty to make sure work is being performed safely, and this legal responsibility includes ensuring safety regulations are followed on site.

The general contractor is always responsible for job safety on the entire site and for ensuring compliance with all OSHA regulations. Any subcontractors brought on site by the general contractor are also responsible for ensuring job safety and following OSHA rules that apply to their part of the project, but the general contractor is still responsible.

There are protections provided to construction workers who have been injured on the job site, if you have been injured on the job and live in the Birmingham or Gadsden areas or anywhere in Alabama please visit the website of The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C.

Three New York Construction Workers Settle Injury Claims For $3.85 Million

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Three undocumented workers have reached settlements in New York after being the victims of a construction accident. The three men suffered serious injuries due to extremely poor working conditions. One of the men, a plumber, was scalded when a pipe burst while he was working at a Wall Street construction site. Another of the men sustained debilitating injuries to his foot after a steel beam crushed parts of his lower body while on a construction site in downtown Manhattan. The final man was injured when three large metal trusses collapsed on him, fracturing his hip and causing several other serious injuries.

According the attorney for the three men, Brian O’Dwyer, “all three cases involve construction and terribly unsafe working conditions.” And indeed, this case is no exception to the experience of many undocumented workers; a large majority of undocumented workers are often forced to work in unsafe situations or risk losing their job. This alarming trend seems to be growing across the United States as construction jobs become harder to find amid the nationwide economic crisis. Of course, unsafe working conditions will invariably lead to more construction accidents, a sad and frightening fact for many of those involved in the construction field.

Executive director Joel Magallan of Asociacion Tepeyac, an immigrant advocacy group, said that while construction work is often dangerous, undocumented workers are likely to work at sites that lack proper safety equipment, OSHA regulation compliance, and required warning signs. According to several studies, both by local nonprofit agencies as well as national researchers, abuses of workers on construction sites are widespread. An especially high number of immigrant workers were represented among those whom had suffered either seriously debilitating or fatal injuries due to unsafe working conditions.

In light of the recent construction accident lawsuits against contractors and building site owners, there may be a positive side to the tradgedy that takes place so often on dangerous construction sites. With the victories of these three undocumented workers, the opportunity for workers who have been injured on construction sites to receive just compensation grows larger. The three men were awarded a total of $3.85 million in damages between them, money they say will now be used to support their families, pay for costly medical expenses, or pursue their dreams.

Despite improvements in safety in virtually every field, construction site accidents remain one of the most dangerous professional accidents. Many times these injuries are seriously debilitating and sometimes fatal. Additionally, workman’s compensation insurance may not provide enough to cover medical expenses, living expenses, and outstanding debt that might have accrued during the recovery time. To that end, it is paramount that workers who have been injured in a construction site accident seek compensation through the proper channels, such as contacting a construction accident lawyer when they have settled on legal recourse.

The Facts About Construction Management

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In simple terms a construction manager or supervisor is responsible for running the whole or part of a construction site. Also known as site or building manager, he or she will make sure a scheme is completed safely, on time and within budget.

Construction management typically encompasses multi-unit residential sites or commercial building sites, but not usually single-family residential building sites. Construction management of the site may be maintained by a general contractor or a separate entity who answerrs to the developer and is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the project from beginning to end.

A manager on a modest site might have full responsibility for the whole task. On larger sites, you may be in charge of a certain section and report to a senior site manager.

During a ordinary project, construction management personnel are responsible for overseeing each phase of construction and resolving any discrepancies in original blueprint design and actual implementation. Construction management personnel are likewise accountable for the cost of a project and must monitor material and labour cost. They may work with one or more project managers, architects, and site-specific superintendents, often in both an office and hardhat environment simultaneously. As well as overseeing the physical construction phases of a project, construction management must also be familiar with design and construction laws — including OSHA regulations and building codes — and serve as a point of contact for all issues. Equally important is delivering each phase of a project within a given time frame and budget.

The construction manager will often work with construction management software to organise efficient delivery and storage of construction material whilst making sure safety measures have been put in place.

Finally, the client will need to be kept informed at all stages in the construction process. Lots of work is done outside on site.

Even though many construction workers have never needed qualifications before, the only way they are finding themselves untouched by the current financial crisis, is by having the qualifications to back up their experience.

There are specialist management construction courses available for all staff of specialist companies with any direct responsibility for supervising the carrying out of work on site plus site supervisors, contract supervisors, contract managers, project managers and sales engineers. These courses look at documentation and procedures and other related legal and contractual aspects relevant to the work of specialist construction companies. They also give a comprehensive practical review of sub contract provisions. Courses are available with particular emphasis on record keeping and good contractual “housekeeping”. They also provide extensive briefing on key contractual aspects of supervising or managing work on site.

Construction management firms vary in size, and some provide their services exclusively to smaller general contractors. Large construction companies generally hire their own construction management personnel. The earning potential for construction management varies by region, but can easily reach six figures with experience and reputation for effectively managing larger, multi-million dollar projects. The best way to increase your earning capacity in today’s financially unstable climate is to enrol on a management construction course.

Things to Consider Before Construction Site Cleanup

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When thinking about starting a remodeling project or noticing a new building going up on your block, there are several concerns about the general environment and its safety. These range from the environmental impact (large or small scale) of any project as well as things such as traffic flow, air quality, wildlife displacement, etc. When a large construction or road project is in the works, there is often a period of time that traffic is diverted. This is necessary so that the construction workers are able to move materials and equipment in and out of the active site as well as to protect their safety. These detours can be disruptive and irritating for the neighbors of an active construction site, but thankfully are only temporary.

Vegetation and wildlife safety

Of other concerns are the impact on vegetation and wildlife. These impacts can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the scope of the project. Zoning ordinances usually address the need for studies if there is an expected and significant disruption to plant or animal life in the area.

Air safety

Another concern for public safety is how the air and water will be affected by the natural byproducts of an active construction site. When a project involves lead or asbestos removal, strict protocols are in force to protect the workers as well as those nearby from accidental and potentially harmful exposure. These materials can create a dust which is very harmful when inhaled or ingested. (Before one reacts to the improbability of ingesting the dust – imagine dust being airborne and landing upon your food.)

Proper containment of these substances is critical for proper air quality control and to maintain construction site safety. Some experts recommend using high quality filters in HVAC systems and changing them two-four times per month if your home or workplace is near a construction site with a lot of airborne dust.

Water safety

Most of the danger to the neighboring water supply occurs when debris or chemicals find their way into naturally occurring runoff. This can be easily managed onsite with a variety of protective measures, such as dams, sediment fences, ditches or by using an inlet filter to filter debris, sediment or even absorb chemicals. Thankfully, most construction companies comply with the guidelines that are established by OSHA and various city ordinances to keep their sites safe. When one does not, it can create many problems for those who do.