Risk assessment of safety and health (RASH) for building construction

In this research Risk Assessment of Safety and Health RASH method for building construction has been developed with risks classified into Safety Risks and Health Risks. 11 factors representing safety risks and 8 factors representing health risks were identified based on field survey in Oman. 40 Safety and Health specialists were involved in carrying out risk assessment using the existing method of risk analysis RA and the proposed RASH method. It was found that RASH method resulted in superior accuracy for assessment of risk zones than the existing RA method. The accuracy by RASH was almost twice the accuracy by RA. The overall percentages of the correct answers for the four scenarios using the RASH method and the RA method were 72.5 percent and 40 percent respectively. The proposed RASH method gave fewer errors than the existing RA method for all scenarios. Two scenarios were found to be the most problematic ones with largest overestimation of risks occur when using the existing RA method. Wilcoxon Ranked Test showed that the two methods are significantly different (z = −3.357, p > 0.01). The new method RASH is statistically acceptable and it resulted in better response in terms of estimating the risk than the RA method.     

新疆生产建设兵团土壤环境质量状况研究

通过测定新疆生产建设兵团土壤中13种重金属元素以及3种有机物含量,计算单项污染指数并对各采样点土壤污染程度进行分级。结果表明,新疆生产建设兵团土壤总体上末受明显污染。     

Overhead drilling: Comparing three bases for aligning a drilling jig to vertical

Problem

Drilling overhead into concrete or metal ceilings is a strenuous task done by construction workers to hang ductwork, piping, and electrical equipment. The task is associated with upper body pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Previously, we described a field usability evaluation of a foot lever and inverted drill press intervention devices that were compared to the usual method for overhead drilling. Both interventions were rated as inferior to the usual method based on poor setup time and mobility.

Method

Three new interventions, which differed on the design used for aligning the drilling column to vertical, were compared to the usual method for overhead drilling by commercial construction workers (n = 16).

Results

The usual method was associated with the highest levels of regional body fatigue and the poorest usability ratings when compared to the three interventions.

Conclusion

Overall, the 'Collar Base' intervention design received the best usability ratings.

Impact on Industry

Intervention designs developed for overhead drilling may reduce shoulder fatigue and prevent subsequent musculoskeletal disorders. These designs may also be useful for other overhead work such as lifting and supporting materials (e.g., piping, ducts) that are installed near the ceiling. Workplace health and safety interventions may require multiple rounds of field-testing prior to achieving acceptable usability ratings by the end users.     

Continued progress in the prevention of nail gun injuries among apprentice carpenters: What will it take to see wider spread injury reductions?

Problem

Nail guns are a common source of acute, and potentially serious, injury in residential construction.

Method

Data on nail gun injuries, hours worked and hours of tool use were collected in 2008 from union apprentice carpenters (n = 464) through classroom surveys; this completed four years of serial cross-sectional data collection from apprentices. A predictive model of injury risk was constructed using Poisson regression.

Results

Injury rates declined 55% from baseline measures in 2005 with early training and increased use of tools with sequential actuation. Injury rates declined among users of tools with both actuation systems, but the rates of injury were consistently twice as high among those using tools with contact trip triggers.

Discussion and impact

Nail gun injuries can be reduced markedly through early training and use of tools with sequential actuation. These successful efforts need to be diffused broadly, including to the non-union sector.     

The NIOSH Construction Program: Research to practice, impact, and developing a National Construction Agenda

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research to improve and protect the health and safety of workers. This paper describes the experience of the NIOSH Construction Program with two recent program planning initiatives intended to improve the program: (a) an independent external review of work over the past decade and (b) the development of strategic goals organized into a “National Construction Agenda” to guide a decade of future work. These goals, developed with input from construction industry stakeholders and researchers, are a part of the NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) initiative. The NORA goals are intended to provide an ambitious set of goals for all construction stakeholders to work together on. Both efforts relate to insuring the relevance and impact of research, reflecting an emerging policy perspective that research programs should be judged not just by the quality and quantity of science produced, but by the industry impact and tangible benefit resulting from the research. This paper describes how views on research planning have evolved to incorporate lessons learned about how research leads to improved safety and health for workers. It also describes the process used to develop the goals and the resulting strategic and intermediate goals that comprise the National Construction Agenda.     

Project level analysis of special trade contractor fatalities using accident investigation reports

Introduction

Construction is among the most dangerous industries in the United States accounting for thousands of fatalities every year. Although there is data available on high risk work types and areas, the project-level detail is not readily available.

Method

This paper uses the accident investigation reports to categorize project types and presents project level analysis of 350 fatal accidents for special trade contractors.

Results

The results showed that Residential and Commercial projects lead the fatalities where Falls are observed as the leading cause. However, when the fatality causes and project categories are analyzed for each work type, the results showed different fatality cause proportions for each project type.

Impact on Industry

Project level analysis approach has a direct impact on identifying high risk work types and areas for special trade contractors by making it possible to focus the prevention and intervention efforts more accurately, while highlighting training and education needs.     

安全农产品生产基地环境认证和环境建设的现状与发展

分析了安全农产品生产基地环境认证与环境建设现状 ,强调指出生产基地环境认证和环境建设是控制农产品安全的源头 ,对我国安全农产品生产基地环境认证与环境建设中存在的问题进行了探讨 ,提出了解决的对策和发展的方向     

建筑施工现场存在的安全和环保问题及其对策

随着我国社会经济发展进程的不断推进,建筑行业发展趋势也有了空前的提高。基于这样的发展态势,建筑行业市场中竞争越来越激烈。建筑工程在施工现场的安全和环境保护问题与企业的经济效益、人们的健康、生命安全有着很大的关系。建筑工程施工现场安全和环境管理措施的有效程度,决定着企业的管理水平,也能在很大程度上影响企业的发展。     

码头工程项目环境监理实践与探析

简述了环境监理在建设项目环境管理中的作用.以无锡港城郊港区胡埭作业区码头工程建设项目为实例,详细介绍了环境监理方案编制的内容,项目监理的重点.指出,环境监理须经过进一步实践和探索,增强针对性,提高环境监理工作水平.     

绿色铁路建设指标在设计中应用的探讨

从绿色铁路定义及理念入手,在阐述绿色铁路建设指标应用现状及主要影响因素的基础上,结合相关设计规范,将绿色铁路建设指标分解到不同设计阶段,探讨如何在设计中落实铁路绿色发展要求、提升绿色设计水平.