Taton-report.docx

Safe Working Cycle (SWC) SWC is a tool which draws all the important safety activities such as inspection, supervision, and safety committee meetings which are in fact the requirements come under public works contracts and the Factories and safety management regulation, together in a systematic manner. It is originated in Japan which promoted by Japan Construction Safety and Health Association to construction companies in

Figure 1:

1982. SWC provides a model to management to follow and implement certain elements of the safety

Daily SWC these items are arranged according to the

management system. This cycle clearly explains the

daily schedule of the project. This means that each

responsibilities of each different worker/rank. It’s

person can carry out their responsibilities according to

encourages mutual trust between supervisors and

the schedule. Each organization should set the

workers at the construction sites and facilitates direct

working hours of each item according to its own

communication. In addition, the cycle enables workers

conditions and the characteristics of the project.

to receive and accept relevant safety training and safety message, and ultimately generate a safety

Morning safety meeting

culture. The aim of SWC is to integrate quality and

It is identified as first step of the daily SWC. It includes:

safety aspects of construction so that adequate

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considerations can be taken for each aspect to achieve a cost effective construction project.

The SWC can be classified into daily, weekly and

Announcing important matters such as project development, special safety information

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Morning exercises ex: stretching exercise

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Inspect the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and dressing

monthly. The period is ascertained by the importance, and urgency of the construction activities. Daily cycle is comparatively, detailed and the coverage of the weekly and monthly cycle can be identified as more broadly.

Hazard identification activity This is the second step of daily SWC. In here team leaders or foremen lead team members to identify and find hazards in the day work before start their works and advice workers regarding the degree of risk

Daily SWC

and measures for precaution as well.

As it is shown in Figure 1, daily SWC basically includes eight items.

Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton

Prior to work inspection

Tidying up after work

As expressed, a prior to work inspection is an essential

This step is consisted to ensure that all the equipment,

activity which should be carried out immediately after

tools, instruments and environment of the workplace

the hazard identification activity. Inspecting all the

are tied up.

tools, equipment, machinery and materials will ensure those are remaining safe and in proper condition

Final check after work

before the start of work and usage of equipment.

Final check after work activity is carried out after the end of work. This is end of the daily SWC. The final

Guidance and supervision at work

check will ensure that no accident will happen at

As it is quoted in, guidance and supervision at work

construction site after work, it can be a fire, flooding,

includes keeping track of implementation of the safety

scaffolding collapse, theft or trespassing. Therefore,

measures from the hazard identification activity,

prevention of those accidents and losses is the main

checking the compliance and solves problems that

purpose of final check after work.

may happen during its implementation. Weekly SWC Safety inspection

Weekly SWC aims at making an interim review of the

Safety inspection is carried out by senior management

performance in the past week and making

at construction site at least once every day before the

arrangements for the future.

process of safety discussion. Whole site and surrounding areas affected by the construction is fallen in to the scope of safety inspection. Major safety inspection focuses are whether the construction procedures comply with the work plan and whether the installation process rise to unsafe condition. Figure 2: Weekly cycle

Process safety discussion Process safety discussion provides platform to discuss and solve problems which are identified during the safety inspection and hazards identification activities. Moreover, safety discussion is arranged daily at fixed time and safety officer reviews safety performance of the day.

Monthly SWC Monthly SWC is carried out to review the site performance and progress, to improve the workers' safety awareness through training and reward schemes, and to recognize their commitment and cooperation. Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton

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Absent-mindedness / Nervousness

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Wilful intent to injure

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Working while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Figure 3: Monthly SWC Effects of Accidents Accident – is an event that is unexpected, unplanned and, unwanted, that results in harm to people, cause damage or loss to properties.

Construction Site Falls

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Crane Accidents

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Run Over by Operating Equipment

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Electrical Accidents on Construction Site

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Trench Collapses

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Electrical Accidents on Construction Site

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Structure Failure on Construction Site

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Building Collapse on Construction Site

Primary Causes of Accidents Unsafe Act – it is the human action that departs from a standard job procedure or safe practice, safety regulations or instructions. Unsafe Acts

Improper lifting and carrying

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Lack of knowledge or skills

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Failure to understand instructions

Unsafe Condition - it is the physical or chemical property of a material, machine or the environment which could result in injury to a person, damage or destruction to property or other forms of losses. Unsafe Conditions

Types of Construction Site Accidents 

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Wet slippery floors

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Unstable stacking of materials

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Protruding re-bars Live conductors without insulation

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Equipment without machine guarding

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Poor storage of combustible materials

Effects of Accident in Construction Industry The effect of accident in the construction industry has cost the employer a great amount of money, used in reorganizing work; replace materials, manpower and plants or compensation and legal cost. Effects of accident in construction industry fall into three major categories, Humanitarian - This refers the effects as concerned worker on the site and these include;

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Operating Equipment without Authority

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Suffering to individual

Disregard of SOP or instructions

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Hardship to the individual

Removing Safety Devices

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Fatality

Using Defective equipment

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Minor injury

Using improper PPEs or Using PPEs improperly

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Disabling injury

Horseplay

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Possible loss of earning ability

Working in an unsafe posture

Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton

Prevention of Accidents Economic - that is the cost of supervision is the cost of

In order to prevent accident on construction site, site

preventing accident which is responsible for efficiency

planning must entails safe and easy access not only to

and safety on site. Also, cost of insurance involve a

reduce hazards but also to eliminate accidents. It also

large sum of money and does not even stop there but

ensures that work progress rapidly.

involves additional costs that bite into the profit

In construction industry, there is a great need for

margin of the project. Economic effects of accidents in

prevention of accidents and health hazards especially

construction industry include;

to arrest humanitarian, economic and legal effects as

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Production delay

already highlighted. Towards a successful and effective

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Increment in insurance premium.

prevention the following should be given adequate

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Legal expenses

attention.

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Time loss by the employee

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Education and Training

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Reduced quality

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Evaluation Method

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Time spent in training a temporary or

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Safety Suggestion

permanent replacement.

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Health and Safety Commission

Time spent by management and supervision

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Power of Inspectors

in investigating and reporting the accident.

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Enforcement

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Local Authority

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Legal - enunciated that negligence in law call for replacement, employers and liable for injury of the workers during the process of carrying out duties. All claims for damages under bodily injury made in the name of negligence. Vicarious liability means the act done through another person. The employer is as well liable for the act of negligence committed by his employee. The legal effect of accident includes; 

Legal liability

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Failure to safeguard employee being a criminal offence leading to prosecution.

Prepared by: Mark Anthony P. Taton