COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS GUIDELiNiS FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (SAFETY) February, 2008Page(1) COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY) Introduction Safety at high rise building construction works for ushas top priority. Our constant efforts aim at rendering working place as safe as possible. Since itis proven that the majority of industrial accidents are caused due to human failure all these efforts can lead to safety only if you are familiar with and put into practice the relevant safety rules. Itisamustto read this manual before starting to work at worksites. The manual should furthermore serve as permanent guidelines and should be used as such. All work both on and around the high rise buildings construction must be carried outin accordance with the regulations of therelevant authorities, always ensuring the safety and health of the employees. “The purpose ofthe “safety guidelines” isnot to change any regulations and provisions but o supplement them and incorporate recommendations made by the client. Allengineers and superviso-s are in particular responsible for the safety of our operations. The duties of the supervisory personnel in connection with safety include supervision and inspection. The employees have to adhere to existing safety rules and have in case of necessity to use safety devices and equipment. Tnthis context your attention is drawn to the duties ofthe safety representatives who are appointed to support the management of project by ensuring that accident prevention measures are observed. Their function is to inspect safety procedures, report faults and to draw the attention of employees to unsafe working practices. Potential hazards for workers in construction include: ‘The equipment at your place of employment is designed to conform to safety requirements and regulations to improve sa‘ety at work we are making every effort to make operations easier and safer, even where a change of workplacé is involved, by standardizing equipment. Our installations and equipment are planned, constructed and operated in such away that all work can be carried out ty you as safety as possible. Materials, tools and equipment conform to the highest safety standards and are regularly checked by safety experts and by cther supervisory personnel. However, safety measures can only be effective if the prescribed safety regulations are strictly adhered to. We would therefore like to point out to you when you start work with us and at frequent intervals during you periad of employment that every employee shares the responsibility for safety at work - Everyone must know and adhere tothe safety regulations, ~ Supervisors’ instructions must be obeyed ~ Plant, machinery and equipment must be used and operated in accordance with instructions. - Everyone must act in such a way that he does not endanger himself or others. ~ Safety and monitoring equipment mustnot be removed, adjusted, reduced in efficiency or rendered inoperable, ~ Safety at works always open to further development and suggested improvements can contribute to general safety. In general, supervisory personnel (work site in charge, engineers and supervisors) are responsible for safety measures with regerd to ail operations carried out under their supervision.Page (2) COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY) SECTION 1 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY 1. General Consruction Guidelines Construction work can be particularly hazardous. Personal protective equipment, fire safety, electrical safety, and other precautions are essential for safe construction work. Refer to other sections inthis guide lines for more information. Follow these guidelines when visiting or workingat construction sites: Do not walk, stand, or work under suspended loads. If you raise a load, be sure to crib, block, or otherwise secure the load as soon as possible. Avoid placing unusual strain on equipment or materials. Be prepared for unexpected hazards. BEALERT! 2, Barriers and Guards Construction employees must use barriers anid guards as necessary to protect employees, contractors, and visitors from physical hazards. If you suspect a hazard is not sufficiently protected, notify the attending workers or the Safety Office immediately. NOTE; Barriers, guards, and warning signs are required to ensure safety against existing hazards. 3. Types of Barriers and Guards Standard types of barriers and guards include the following: Guardrails and handholds Saw horses Tape Toeboards Cones Other physical barriers and solid separators (dust barriers, hazard barriers, temporary walkways, etc.) me NOTE: ‘Signs that state DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION are also important when barriers or guards are necessary. Remember to make signs legible, visible, and brief.Page (3) COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY) SECTION 2 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, 1. Personal Protective Equipment Defined Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. Protective equipment should not replace engineering, administrative, or procedural controls for safety — it should be used in conjunction with these controls. Employees must wear protective equipment as required and when instructed by asupervisor. 2. Body Protection Hazards that threaten the torso tend to threaten the entire body. A variety of protective clothing, including laboratory coats, long pants, rubber aprons, coveralls, and disposable body suits are available forspecifie work conditions. + Rubber, neoprene, and plastic clothing protect employees from most chemical splashes. + Coveralls, and disposable body suits protect employees and everyday clothing from contamination. + Welding aprons provide protection from sparks. Launder reusable protective clothing separate ftom other clothing, You are provided free of charge with protective clothing and equipment in accordance with your type of work and area of responsibility. This equipment must be wom in accordance with the regulations and must be carefully maintained and checked to ensure that itis in perfect condition. ‘These items of equipment include protective clothing and safety belts. 3. Protective Clothing, Many accidents occur because people on site do not pay sufficient attention to their own health and safety. You can do a great deal to protect yourself simply by knowing what is available, ‘wearing the correct clothing and using the protective equipment appropriate to your job. ‘The company is obliged by law to provide to you, without charge, any items, which have been identified as necessary to protect your health and safety. The following lists of personal protection are examples of such items but itis not exhaustive. + Suitable protective clothing for persons working out of doors in rain, snow, sleet or hail and low temperatures + Suitable protective clothing for persons working with materials such as asbestos or asbestos based materials, lead, cement or concrete. + Eye protectors or shield’ wiseve work activities / processes being carried out are likely to cause eyeinjuries, + Respirators or breathing apparatus as protection against dust or fumes orlack of oxygen. + Safety nets, harnesses, lines, etc. to prevent falls where it is not practicable to provide working platforms. + Safety Helmets. + Steel toe capped footwear is now recommended on building / construction sites and for some jobs itismandatory. ‘You are required by law to co-operate and wear such clothing and equipment where the circumstances demand it, store it in an appropriate place and report any defects.Page (4) 4, Weara safety helmet Head Protection Serious head injuries can result from blows to the head. Be sure that workers wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from above, bumpsto their heads from fixed objects, or accidental head contact with electrical hazards. 5. Head Protection Accidents that cause head injuries are difficult to anticipate or control. Ifhazards exist that could cause head injury, employees should try to eliminate the hazards, but they should also wear head protection. Safety hats protect the head from impact, penetration, and electrical shock. Head protection is necessary if you work where there isa risk of injury from moving, falling, or flying objects or if you ‘work near high-voltage equipmesi Hard hats should be water resistant, flame resistant, and adjustable, Wear one of the following hard hats as appropriate for your work situation: Class A- General service, limited voltage protection, Class B - Utility service, high-voltage protection Class C - Special service, no voltage protection Follow these guidelines for head safety: + Check the shell and susyension of your headwear for damage before each use. Look for cracks, dents, gouges, chalky appearance, and tom or broken suspension threads, Discard damaged hats or replace broken parts with replacements from the original manufacturer. + Discard any hat that has been struck or dropped from a great height, even if there is no apparent damage. + Donot wear a hard hat backwards, unless this is necessary to accommodate other protective equipment (e.g., welders face shield).Page (5) 6. Wear a safety belt Safety belts and hamesses are also important for your safety and should be used accordance in accordance with instructions. Itis important that belts are examined carefully for defects before each use and are only worn if in perfect condition and in accordance with safety regulation. Each individual is responsible for the care and maintenance of his own safety belt. ‘When using a safety belt take care to ensure that the fixing point is secure, Belts must be fixed to apoint a least level with or vertically above the job location Safety harness must only be used in conjunction with a shock absorber. The stop chute must be used in conjunction with a safety hamess which conforms to safety standard procedure. General rules for the care and storage of safety belts require that a dirty belt should only be cleaned in soapy water and must not be dried in direct sunlight. Safety belts should be stored hanging up ina drayed, well-aired place. They should not be stored near heat and must not come into contact with acid or other corrosive liquids. A belt which has been used to prevent a fall must be retumed to the Safety Department, giving details of how it was used. Safety belts and hamesses should in addition be examined as and when necessary _at least once a year_by safety personnel to check for wear of damage. Any belt which is found to be defective may no longer be used, Belts and ropes made of chemical fibers are subject even without use to a process of deterioration which is dependent upon the strength of ultraviolet light and onclimatic and other environmental conditions. Itis therefore not possible to determine the life of abelt, with any degree of exactitude, but to judge by past experience, belts and ropes have a life of three to five years. + A face shield is designed to protect the face from some splashes or projectiles, but does not eliminate exposure to vapors. A face shield should be wom with goggles or safety lasses. + Sunglasses are useful to prevent eyestrain from glare and to minimize ultraviolet light. 7, Eye Wash Stations ye wash stations provide emergency eye treatment for people exposed to hazardous materials, ‘There are three common types of eye wash stations: 7.1 Eye Wash Bowl These stations are approved and are usually attached to emergency showers. They provide a continuous water flow and are recommended for laboratories and other locations with hazardous materials. 7.2 Drench Hoses at Sinks: ‘These stations provide a continuous water flow, but they are easily contaminated with sediment, and they do not allow the free use of both hands; the use of both hands may be necessary. Drench hoses are not approved, and they are not preferred for laboratory usage. Ifyou have a drench hose in your work area, flush the hose regularly to remove any sediment. 7.3 Plastic Eye Wash Bottle: ‘These stations do not provide a continuous water flow, and they do not allow free use of both hands They are not approved in laboratories or other hazardous areas. Plastic eye wash bottles are ideal, however, for portable eye wash needs and short- term operations where continuous flowing water is not immediately available. Ifyou havea plastic eye wash bottle in your work area, make sure itis filled with sterile water orchanged weekly. Ifthe eyes are exposed to hazardous materials or irritating elements, immediately ‘flush the eyes with water for atleast 15 minutes. Contact a physician, ifnecessary.Page (6) 8. FootProtection To protect feet and legs from falling objects, moving machinery, sharp objects, hot materials, chemicals, or slippery surfaces, employees should wear closed-toed shoes, boots, footguards, leggings, or safety shoes es appropriate. Safety shoes are designed to protect people from: the most common, causes of foot injuries—impact, compression, and puncture. Special foot protection is also available for protection against static electricity, sparks, live electricity, corrosive materials, and slipping. NOTE: Foot protection is particularly important in laboratory, agricultural, and construction work. 9. Armand Hand Protection Arms and hands are vulnerable to cuts, burns, bruises, electrical shock, chemical spills, and amputation, The following forms of hand protection are available for employees: + Disposable exam gloves + Rubbergloves + Nitvile gloves + Neoprene gloves . Leather gloves + Nonasbestos heat-resistant gloves + Metal-mesh gloves for meat cutters . Cotton gloves Always wear the appropriate hand and arm protection. Double your hand protection by wearing multiple gloves when necessary (¢.g., two pairs of disposable gloves for work involving biological hazards), Forarm protection, wear a long-sleeved shirt, a laboratory coat, chemical-resistant sleeves, or gauntlet-length gloves. Follow these guidelines to ensure arm and hand safety: + Inspect and test new gloves for defects. + Always wash yourhands before and after using gloves. Wash chemical-protective gloves with soap and water before removing them. + Donotwear gloves near moving machinery; the gloves may become caught. + Donot wear gloves with metal parts near electrical equipment. Gloves are easily contaminated. Avoid touching surfaces such as telephones, door knobs, etc. when wearing gloves. 10. HearingProtection Excessive noise emitted from plant, processes and tools can cause, over a period of ime, progressive and irreversible loss of hearing. Itcan cause a ringing or rushing noise inthe ears, which will not disappear, Hearing loss can also make communication difficult which, in tum, may lead o accidents through instructions either not being heard or being miss-heard. Remember, deafness caused by excessive noise at work develops very gradually, but cannot be cured once the damage has been done. So-called “getting used to noise” can mean that there is already some hearing loss. Take proper precautions to protect your hearing.Page (7) COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY) SECTION 3 Safety signs Safety signs at work conform to statutory requirements and form an essential part of safety ‘measures but to ensure that they are effective, their meaning must be clear to everyone. Safety signs are intended firstly to show clearly and in a comprehensible form objects and situations which can cause danger and secondly to provide safety instructions. Safety signs do not however atany time lessen your responsibility for aking the required safety measures. Safety sings are classified in various ways: prohibitions, warnings instructions, emergency measures, guidelines, and additional information. They are intended to convey information clearly by ‘means of different shapes and colures and are displayed where they are easily visible. 1 Prohibition signs Background-white,diagram or text-black Safety colour red must appear around the edge and in a diagonal crossline and must make up at least 35% of the surface areas of the sign, Example... NO SMOKING EATING OR DRINKING IN THIS AREA Se®@ | Private |car parkPage (8) COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY) SECTION 4 Heavy Equipment Safety When using heavy equipment, there are basic guidelines that employees must always follow to ‘ensure safety: > Know how to properly operate the equipment you are using. Use only equipment that is appropriate for the work to be done. > }> Inspect your equipment to ensure that itis in good working condition before beginning ajob. In addition, ensure that regular inspections and maintenance are conducted as appropriate. > Do not stress or overload your equipment. 1. Inspect your equipment, and report any damage or other problems. « Windshield and wipers Brakes (both parking and service brakes) Tires Mirrors Steering Operating controls, Leaking fluids Headlights, alight, brake lights, and tum signals Seat belts Horn and back-up alarm (loud enough to be heard 200 feet away) Roll-over protection structure (ROPS).. Cab shields or canopies on haulage vehicles. Wear a seat belt when operating any type of vehicle, whether it’s a truck, bulldozer, loader, or grader. Don’t exceed the speed limit for the area. Don’t allow riders unless the vehicle is designed for them. Refuel only when the vehicle is turnedoff and there are no sources of ignition nearby. NO SMOKING signs should be posted in refueling areas, Don’t run the engine in an enclosed area unless there is enough ventilation. > Make sure there are warning signs, barricades, or flaggers to keep people out of the area. }> Make sure you have a spotter to guide you when necessary. }> Be aware of overtead obstructions, like power lines or trees. > Ifyou don’t have a clear view, walk around the vehicle to check for obstructions }> Make sure your vehicle is not overloaded. > Make sure any load you are carrying is secured and stable. > Keep all equipment atleast 10 feet from high voltage lines that carry 50,000 volts or less. The clearance distance is more if the line carries higher voltage. }> Everyone nearby is in danger if equipment contacts the line—not just the operator. > Stay alertat al time > Don’t listen to theradio; it’s distracting, > Keep a safe distance, > Keep off the equipment unless authorized. }> Wear a bright vest or jacket if you are working near moving vehicles or heavy equipment. Wear teflectorized clothing at night. V VVV2 > > > > > vv vvvvv vv Page (9) Crane Safety Significant and serious injuries may oceurif cranes are not inspected before use and if they are not used properly. Often these injuries cour when a worker is struck by an overhead load or caught within thecrane’s swing radius. Many crane fatalities occur when the boom of acrane or its load line contact an overhead power line, Check all crane controls to insure proper operation before use. > Inspect wire rope, chains and hook for any damage > Know the weight of the load that the crane isto lift. > Ensure that the load does notexceed the crane’s rated capacity. Raise the load a few inches to verify balance and the effectiveness of the brake system. Check all rigging prior to use; do not wrap hoist ropes or chains around the load. Fully extend outriggers. Do not movea load over workers. Barricade accessible areas within the crane’s swing radius. * Watch for overhead electrical distribution and transmission lines and maintain a safe working clearance of at least 10 feet from energized electrical lines (Cranes and derricks are restricted from operating within 10 feet of any electrical power line. ‘The upper rotating structure supporting the boom and materials being handled is provided with an electrical ground while working near energized transmitter towers. Rated load capacities, operating speed and instructions are posted and visible to the operator. Cranes are equipped with a load chart. ‘The operator understands and uses the load chart. ‘The operator can determine the angle and length of the crane boom at all simes. Crane machinery and other equipment is inspected daily prior to use to make sure that its in good condition. Accessible areas within the crane’s swing radius are barricaded. ‘Tag lines are used to prevent dangerous swing or spin of materials when raised or lowered by crane or derrick,C3008 teoees g Page (10) Illustrations of hand signals to crane and derrick operators are posted on the jobsite. ‘The signal person uses correct signals for the crane operator to follow. Crane outriggers are extended when required. (Crane platforms and walkways have antiskid surfaces. Broken, worn or damaged wire rope is removed from service. Guardrails hand holds and steps are provided for safe and easy access to and from all areas of the crane. Load testing reports/certifications are available. ‘Tower crane mast bolts are properly torque to the manufacturer’s specifications. Overload limits are tested and correctly set. ‘The maximum acceptable load and the last test results are postedon the crane. Initial and annual inspections of all hoisting and rigging equipment are performed and reports are maintained, Only properly trained and qualified operators are allowed to work with hoisting and rigging equipment.Page (11) 3. Tower Cranes Safety Safety alert to the construction industry to remind those working on projects where tower cranes arein use ofthe importance of the safe erection, operation, maintenance and dismantling of such ‘cranes. This alert has been prompted by a number of serious incidents involving tower cranes in recent, years. Those responsible for the management of tower cranes on site should ensure that: 1. Towercranes are erected and dismantled by competent people who have the necessary training and experience. Companies should draw up written procedures for each type of tower crane and these procedures should be based on the manufacturers instructions. These procedures should be availableon site and those involved in the work be familiar with them; 2. A thorough examination of the crane is undertaken after its erection by a competent person who is sufficiently independent and impartial and is not involved in the erection process; ‘Only competent people are allowed to operate the crane; re-use checks are carried out by the crane operator atthe start of each shift to ensure that the crane has not suffered any damage or failure and is safe to be used; 5. In-service inspections are carried out by the crane operator, generally at weekly intervals, and records keptof these inspections; 6. Aproperly planned maintenance system is established and used, Competent people should un- dertake this maintenance at intervals specified by the manufacturer and records kept of the work completed including any parts that have been replaced. In general the original manufacturers parts should be used. Where parts are sourced from suppliers other than the original manufac- ‘urera competent engineer should assess that the parts selected meet the original manufacturers specification and are fit for purpose. Any parts replaced should be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions; 7. Further thorough examinations are carried out by a competent person at specified intervals, after ‘major alterations orrepair or after the occurrence of exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the crane; 8. Lifting operations ace properly planned and appropriately supervised. Detailed information on all these issues can be found in: + “Safe Use of Work Equipment” - Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment. ayPage (12) 4, Forklift Safety Approximately 100 employees are fatally injured and approximetely 95,000 employees are injured every year while operating powered industrial trucks. Forklift tumover accounts for a significant number of these fatalities. ‘Train and certify all operators to ensure that they operate forklifts safely. Do not allow any employee under 18 years old to operate a forklift. Properly maintain haulage equipment, including tires. Do not modify or make attachments that affect the capacity and safe operation of the forklift vwithout written approval from the forklift's manufacturer. Examine forklift truck for defects before using. vvvyv Do notallow riders. Do not raise people on a forklift. Do not speed. Drive up and back down ramps. Do not walk, stand, or work under the elevated portion ofa forklift (even ifitis not loaded). Donot operatea forklift in areas with hazardous concentrations of acetylene, butadiene, hydrogen, ethylene, or diethyl ether, or other explosive environment, ‘Never lft aload while moving. ‘Wait until you are completely stopped before raising the mast. vvvvvy Drive safely—never exceed 5 mph and slow down in congested orslippery surface areas. vvvyv Forklift truck operators are competent to operate these vehicles safély as demonstrated by their suecessfill completion of training and evaluation. Forklifts are inspected daily for proper condition of brakes, horns, steering, forks and tires Powered industrial trucks (forklifts) meet the design and construction requirements established in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Powered Industrial Trucks, + Written approval from the truck manufacturer is obtained for any modification or additions which affect capacity and safe operation of the vehicle, > Capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals are changed to indicate any modifications oradditions tothe vehicle. Battery charging is conducted in areas specifically designated for that purpose. > Material handling equipment is provided for handling batteries, including conveyors, overhead hoists or equivalent devices. > Reinstalled batteries are properly positioned and secured in the truck. vv v+ +ooeRRggeos © + Page(13) ‘Smoking is prohibited in battery charging areas. Precautions are taken to prevent open flames, sparks or electric ares in battery charging areas Refresher training is provided and an evaluation is conducted whenever a forklift operator has bbeen observed operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner and when an operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck. Load and forks are fully lowered, controls neutralized, power shut off and brakes set when a powered industrial truck is left unattended. ‘There is sufficient headroom for the forklift and operator under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, et. Overhead guardsare in place to protect the operator against falling objects. All loads are kept stable safely arranged and fit within the rated capacity of the truck. Unsafe and defective trucks are removed from service. Only authorized employees may operate forklifts. Ensure that the forklift has an overhead barrier to protect the operator from falling objects. Inaddition, follow these guidelines for safe forklift operation: Always work within the capacity limits of your forklift. Be sure the top load sits =qjuarely on the stack. An uneven load could topple. Travel with loadsslightly tilted back to provide stability. Travel with loadsat the proper height. A stable clearance height is usually 4 to 6 inches at the tips and 2 inches at the heels of fork blades. Lift stacked loads in the same manner as Toads on the floor. ‘When preparing to leave the forklift unattended, lower the mast, neutralize the controls, shut the power off, and set the brakes. The forklifts “unattended” when the operator is more than 25 feet away or the forklift is out of view. When ascending or descending a grade in excess of 10 percent, drive the forklift with the load upgrade, Ifyou cannot see over a i8ad, drive in reverse. Do not try to look around a load and drive forward.