DESIGNING FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKER SAFETY 7
7.1 PURPOSE
7.2.10 Provide DfCS tools and resources for designers, contractors, and owner representatives to identify safety hazards
Create a DfCS review log to be used by the review team to document inputs from the design review process . Create a DfCS review checklist that includes common items to look at during the DfCS review from experience (see sample checklist in Exhibit 7-1) . The checklist should not be intended to be prescriptive, but rather a memory aid to ensure that all the participants consider the key safety areas during the design process . It is not an exhaustive list that covers all potential safety items that will need consideration during the project . The checklist should include key areas for scrutiny by the reviewers including:
Accessibility
Confined space
Ergonomics
Fall Protection/Prevention
Maintenance
Operation
Physical hazards
Emergency Planning and Preparedness
The readers are recommended to use this checklist and other tools provided in the resources section as a starting point and add to the list as new items are discovered during the DfCS review process . Also, provide technological resources, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), to aid in the design review process . BIM provides a visual representation of building features for the reviewers and makes the review process easier . However, the cost associated with BIM (both software and hardware) should be considered before using BIM . Figures 7-1 through 7-4 shows the use of BIM during design review and eliminating clash . See Chapter 8 for more information about using BIM for DfCS .
Figure 7-1: Embedded fall protection anchor traps clash with HVAC systems detected using BIM (Picture Courtesy Balfour Beatty Construction)
Figure 7-2: Embedded fall protection anchor traps clash elimination with HVAC systems using BIM (Picture Courtesy Balfour Beatty Construction)
Figure 7-3: Perimeter cable guardrail clash with exterior wall skin detected using BIM (Picture Courtesy Balfour Beatty Construction)
Figure 7-4: Perimeter cable guardrail clash with exterior wall skin removed using BIM (Picture
Additional DfCS Resources, Readings, and References
Construction Industry Institute (CII) – www .construction-institute .org
RR101-11 – Addressing Construction Worker Safety in the Project Design by Dr . Jimmie Hinze and Dr . John Gambatese provides a list of 400 design suggestions that reflect all types of design disciplines, job site hazards, and construction components and systems .
Design for Construction Safety - www .designforconstructionsafety .org
This website is number one resource for DfCS resources . It has numerous helpful DfCS tools including checklist, training programs, and guidelines .
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Prevention Through Design Webpage – www .cdc .gov/niosh/topics/ptd
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Z590 .3-2011, Prevention Through Design (PtD): Guidelines for Addressing Occupational Risks in Design and Redesign
Design Best Practices - http://www .dbp .org .uk/welcome .htm
Exhibit 7-1: Example Design for Construction Worker Safety (DfCS) Checklist
Note: This best practice tool is only included as an example, and the users should be aware that the checklist may reference safety regulations depending on the company’s regulatory jurisdictions . It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that they adapt the best practices provided in this checklist for their jurisdiction and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations affecting their workplace .
Accessibility Will there be adequate headroom for accessing racks, filters, viewports, sight glasses?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to elevated areas when construction is complete?
Accessibility Will routing zones discipline be enforced?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to depressed areas such below raised floors (RMF), chemical trenches area when construction is complete?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to the tops of tanks and equipment when construc- tion is complete?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to cable trays when construction is complete?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to valves when construction is complete?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to dampers when construction is complete?
Accessibility Will there be adequate access to electrical controls, switches and relays when con- struction is complete?
Accessibility Where access is needed for elevated areas utilize the fall protection hierarchy of controls i .e . in order; eliminate elevated work, provide a platform and guardrail, provide tie-off points last, etc .
Confined Space Are tanks designed to minimize the need for access during construction or main- tenance?
Confined Space Have at least two tank access ports been provided to aid in egress/ventilation?
Confined Space Will anchorage points for retrieval be located next to each confined space access point when construction is complete?
Confined Space Have the gasses being used in the Confined Space been considered as a Suffoca- tion Hazard? If yes, note in further action how this is to be mitigated .
Emergency Are emergency relief devices (breather vents, relief valves, rupture disks, liquid seals) vented outside the building or to a safe discharge location?
Emergency
What is the most severe credible incident i .e . the worst conceivable combination of reasonable malfunctions, which can occur? Does design address mitigation of this type of incident?
Emergency What needs are there for emergency relief devices (breather vents, relief valves, rupture disks, liquid seals)? Are they documented in the design?
Emergency
Have you indicated the location of known shut-off valves and switches for exist- ing utilities? Are contact names and phone numbers for local utilities indicated
Emergency Do drawings show pipe flow direction so the first valve upstream or downstream of an emergency can be located?
Emergency Does design address provisions for rapid disposal of reactants if required by plant emergency?
Emergency Does the design indicate necessary fire emergency equipment and allow for ade- quate execution of fire emergency procedures?
Emergency Does the design provide provisions for operation or safe shutdown during power failures?
Emergency Does the design address proper containment and disposal of gas and liquid paths if leakage occurs and primary containment fails?
Emergency Have adequate Emergency Off (EMO’s) been provided and are they in the correct location?
Emergency Have adequate EW/SSH’s been provided and are they in the correct location?
Ergonomics Does the design eliminate the need for heavy manual material handling?
Ergonomics Did the design consider the height (from working surface) of all valves and con- trols that require viewing or operation?
Ergonomics Is the elevation of valves and sight glasses at an ergonomic level (between 36” and 44” above walking surface)?
Ergonomics Will there be adequate lighting for maintenance activities provided after construc- tion is completed?
Fall Are the hierarchy of controls considered for fall protection i .e . in order; eliminate elevated work, provide a platform and guardrail, provide tie-off points last, etc . Fall Will rooftop equipment have a 42” parapet at every elevation change?
Fall Has the worker tied off points been included in the design?
Fall Stairs vs . ladders: consider access frequency and what a person will be carrying . Does the design provide safe stair and ladder design for intended purpose?
Fall Do the systems select minimize significant labor in an elevated position (e .g ., ma- sonry walls vs . tilt-up concrete)
Fall Does the design allow for maximizing work on the ground?
Fall
Building offsets of varying size and shape create a falling hazard for construction workers . Does the design minimize offsets where possible, and are necessary off- sets safely constructible?
Fall Do exterior stairs and ramps run parallel to and immediately adjacent to the structure?
Fall
Consider how openings through floors will be protected during construction . Does design group openings together where possible? Does the design locate openings away from the edge of the structure where possible?
Fall Is rooftop equipment located away from the edge of the structure?
Fall When designing openings remember 42” requirement . A window located 42”
above the floor provides a built-in guard rail . A parapet 42” tall does the same . Is this accommodated in the design?
Fall Are adequate craft anchor points for fall protection during construction provided in the design?
Fall Are adequate sustaining personnel tie offs for maintenance activities provided in the design?
Layout Is there adequate space to permit the installation and maintenance of equipment?
Layout Are there access and egress clearances for normal traffic and maintenance?
Layout Are there access and egress clearances for firefighting?
Layout Can people and equipment be moved through the building safely during construc- tion and sustaining operations?
Layout When doing underground work, consider the potential for existing utilities and impact that will have on the construction technique . Has the design addressed this?
Layout
Have you considered construction safety when laying out the project? An obvious example is the location of power lines . What about high-pressure piping lines and combustible gasses? A vehicle vs . Pedestrian traffic flow?
Layout Are spacing and clearances furnished for normal traffic maintenance and fire- fighting?
Layout When placing underground lines, consider the work that follows behind and po- tential future work in the area . Has the design addressed this?
Maintenance Can you access instruments for calibration?
Maintenance Can valves be accessed readily for the operation?
Maintenance Are pumps and controllers readily accessible for maintenance?
Maintenance Will the area have adequate lighting to support maintenance operations?
Maintenance Are special devices required to maintain this equipment?
Maintenance Does the design package include allowances or clearances for maintenance?
Maintenance Is signage required for maintenance clearances?
Operation Are systems routed between buildings analyzed for differential movement in an earthquake?
Operation Does one set of switches control the lighting and ventilation in a mechanical room, solvent room or confined space?
Operation If instruments fail simultaneously, is a collective operation still fail-safe? Conduct
“what if” analysis .
Operation Are piping systems analyzed for stresses and movements due to thermal expan- sion?
Operation Design ventilating and light fixtures in a mechanical room, or confined space to be operated by the same switch .
Operation Does the design locate electric panels within sight of the equipment that they affect?
Operation Does design designate protective insulation for “hot surfaces”?
Operation Does the design provide non-conductive flooring at electrical boxes?
Physical Haz-
ards Have trip hazards been mitigated?
Physical Haz-
ards Have head knockers been mitigated?
Physical Haz-
ards Does design address Noise?
Sequence Does the design consider how design may affect work staging and safety?
Sequence Have you considered how design releases can impact construction scheduling and safety? For example - if sidewalks are issued early, they can be constructed and provide a more stable base for perimeter wall scaffolding .
Sequence Can existing systems (corridors, stairs, handrails) be staged for early construction completion?
Sequence
Has the design considered how design can affect construction sequencing to allow energizing electrical panels at the latest possible time without impacting construc- tion schedule?
Sequence Are fire prevention devices (firewater systems, etc .) designed early so they can be installed for construction safety?
Other Has the design accommodated for the effects of extremes of atmospheric humidi- ty and temperature? Corrosion?
Other Have flammable or combustible materials of construction been eliminated or min- imized?
Other Has the use of primers, sealers, coatings, etc . containing hazardous materials been eliminated or minimized?
Other Are materials of construction compatible with the process chemicals involved?
Other Does the design consider specification limits on “lift” heights? For example, tall structures can easily collapse during erection if not adequately supported . Other Does the design specify testing procedures for complicated designs?
Other What items need to be added? Please Explain on Back