High Raised Building Construction Site HSE Inspection Report

High Rise Building 35 Floors

Introduction:

The assessment was carried out at the Construction Site of a high-rise building on 1st of Jan 2021 to evaluate the health and safety issues at the site. The employer has a large size of employees with a range of 1000-1500 including admin staff, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, drivers, labor, and other workers.

 The main objective of the inspection is to identify hazards and their control by compliance with international standards, such as ILO.

The major work being carried out includes,

• Scaffolding erections and working at height
• Mechanical Lifting using mobile cranes and forklifts of various capacity
• Excavation
• Concrete filling
• Offloading of construction material
• Woodwork

Different types of equipment and tools are used to perform the above-mentioned activities. The heavy machinery and vehicles such as concrete Boom Placer, Tower crane and Power Generator. 

Executive Summary:

The report contains five major hazards which can harm people, property, and the environment.  

Unsafe Scaffold / Work at height

It is found that there is a very high risk of fall from height and work is carried out on an unsafe scaffold. It must be controlled by developing a safe system of work, training, supervision, and provision of PPEs. 

Confined Space

The basements are poorly ventilated with insufficient lighting and the access and outlets are blocked. Such hazards must be eliminated.   

Mechanical Lifting

The risk of accident due to mechanical lifting equipment such as crane and boom placer must be reduced to an acceptable level. By providing training, supervision, inspection, and up-to-date checks, and 3rd party certification.

Housekeeping

Inadequate cleaning and improper waste management at the workplace can be the cause of injury and fatality. It must be addressed.

Fire Hazard

Missing Fire Emergency rescue plan, inadequate training, and lack of prevention and firefighting equipment for combating fire-related hazards need utmost attention from senior management.

The highlighted control measure and developments will benefit the organization in multiple aspects. The instant result of these measurements will be a drastic reduction in accidents which will leave deep impacts on cost reduction, employee turnover, and lowering legal penalties.  However, failing to implement recommended control measures may result in major or severe accidents, business losses, and violation of legislation, ill-health, and safety effects at the workplace. 

Main Findings of the Inspection

Fall from height / Unsafe Scaffold

A serious action need for the competency of employees on the safe working practices related to working at height. Workers must be educated about using a safe system of work i.e. PTW. Recruitment and selection of competent and responsible employees for scaffold erection, inspection, and supervision must be addressed. Provision of PPEs and scaffold equipment with toe board and secure guardrail must be done.

The above measures enable the management to fulfill the responsibilities that rest with the employer as per the below regulations; 

• Article 19 of C155,  R164 
• Article 16 of C155
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The estimated cost of the above measures is approximately Rs.200, 000/-

Confined Space

It is observed that the deep opening of underground tanks is bare and can cause serious injuries and fatality. Insufficient light and poor ventilation make this hazard more severe. It can be eliminated by the installation of barriers (railing or cover) on the openings, installing the lighting and ventilation system. 

By taking mentioned control organization to comply with roles and standards;

• Article 16 of C155
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. 
• HSG150 ‘Health and safety in construction

The estimated cost of the above measures is approximately Rs.300, 000/-

Mechanical Lifting Hazard

It found that the heavy machines such as crane, loader truck, and fork lifer are not certified by 3rd parties and their operators are also not certified. Lack of supervision was also observed while critical heavy lifting operations. Loads were being stacked in unsafe techniques and the possibility of collision with other objects, equipment/vehicles, and workers. There is a lack of coordination between contractors and subcontractors for the completion of a task which results in promoting hazardous working culture. These conditions may result in extreme human and economic loss. Therefore it is recommended to immediately start the third party inspection for all vehicles and mechanical lifting equipment. The operators must be trained and certified and also provide them with competent supervision. Use of visual and audible signs and segregation and distribution of workspace for workers and lifting operations must also be addressed. 

By fulfilling the above recommendations, the organization can comply with the following.

• Article 16 of C155 expands in article 10 R 164
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 HASAWA.
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) 

The estimated cost of implementing the above recommendations is approximately 

Rs.150, 000/-

Housekeeping

The housekeeping of the site is not acceptable as it is significantly increasing the risk of injury and ill-health in the workplace. There are numerous issues including the hazards like slip trips, lack of properly marked walkways for workers and visitors. Construction materials are stacked and stores in an unsafe manner which makes the site more hazardous. It is also found that there is no safe waste management procedure followed at sites that causes ill-health injuries and passage blockage.

Designated storage places must be used for storage for stocking of construction material waste segregation and waste management plans must be developed.

 Failure of fulfillment results in violation of following employer’s obligation

• A safe workplace is free of health and safety risks as per R164.
• HASAWA Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

These recommendations must be acted upon immediately. These recommendations mainly consume the time, effort, and involvement of the management and may require a nominal budget of approximately Rs.50, 000/-

Fire Hazards

There is no Fire Emergency and Rescue plan found at the site. On inspection of firefighting material found to be inadequate. The employees are unaware of the basic procedures of firefighting. Training and development of fire safety programs for workers. Installation of fire points to overcome the shortage of fire fighting material. The management must work on these issues on an urgent basis and develop an extensive program for awareness and promotion of safety culture at work.

This is a possible breach of requirements to provide training and ensure that employees cooperate with the employer’s arrangements for safety, as stated in 

• Article 16 of C155 expands in article 10 R 164 (training, supervision, instruction)
•  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The estimated cost for providing fire fighting equipment, and Fire safety training to workers is approximately Rs.150, 000/-

Conclusion

There are some positive aspects that are observed during the inspection. The management and workforce found very cooperative in providing the information asked during the inspection.  Also, some good practices are found such as welfare facilities, first aid, and child labor policy. 

On contrary to this the most significant hazards are fall from height and scaffold operations, mechanical lifting with mobile cranes and forklifts, confined space hazards, poor housekeeping, shortage of Fire prevention system and awareness, lack of PPE’s.

The recommendations given against each control are very suitable from a cost-benefit analysis aspect and each suggestion requires nominal costs and supervision. The workers are provided training and awareness regarding information and documentation of a safe system of work. It can be achieved via in-house training sessions, toolbox talks, notice boards, and routine meetings.

Moreover, the recommendations reduce the probability and consequences of accidents, which will result in cost reduction for the organization, improve the moral status, public image, and market share, and customer satisfaction.

Proposal With Recommendation/Work Plan