Hazards And Hazards In Construction

Task 4(a)

The hazards associated with construction sites are well known – most responsible employers are aware of their duty of care to employees, visitors, and those that may be affected by their activities, and will manage the site effectively, implementing appropriate accident prevention measures. Risk assessments are carried out by management to identify hazards and risks posed.

Listed below are just a few of the main hazards that are encountered on a typical construction site:

Working at Height

The construction of buildings – or indeed, demolition works – frequently requires tradesmen to work at height. Fatalities and injuries involving height relating factors account for many accidents each year.

The risks associated with working at a

Construction sites are a mash of holes in the ground, buildings at various stages of completion, scaffolding, stored materials and equipment: you really do need eyes in the back of your head at times.

Noise

Noise is a major hazard within the construction industry. Repetitive, excessive noise causes long term hearing problems and can be a dangerous distraction, the cause of accidents.

Beware, using simple ear plugs does not necessarily offer total protection against hearing damage – employers are required to carry out and document a comprehensive noise risk assessment – and issue appropriate PPE.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Hand arm vibration syndrome, or ‘blue finger’ as it is commonly referred to, is a painful and debilitating industrial disease of the blood vessels, nerves and joints, triggered by prolonged use of vibratory power tools and ground working equipment.

This industrial disease is frequently cited in compensation claim cases opened by ex-construction workers who worked for years with little or no protection, using inappropriate and poorly maintained

Where lifting equipment is used, then adequate training must also be carried out, but may involve some form of test, to confirm competency. Records of training must be maintained for verification.

Collapse

Not exactly a hazard, more a risk – an accident in waiting.

Every year excavations and trenches collapse, bury and seriously injure people working in them – precautions need to be planned before the work starts.

The risk of an unintended collapse is generally more associated with demolition works or when a partially completed building or scaffolding collapses, but still accounts for a percentage of fatalities each year.

Asbestos

Asbestos-Danger

Today there is a new generation of construction workers, including; joiners, electricians and plumbers for whom asbestos is seen as a historical problem, something from the past that’s now long gone…but that is a mistakenly.

There are an estimated 500,000 public buildings in the UK that contain harmful asbestos materials: often hidden away, forgotten, and by and large, harmless – in its undisturbed state. Workers need to know where it is and what to do if they come across suspicious materials that might contain