Improving Construction Industry Safety Marton Marosszeky ACCI - UNSW

ACCI Safety Research2 Accidents in Australia In 1995 / 96 figures in NSW –construction53.9/1000 workers –mining76.2/1000 workers –industry average27.4/1000 workers

ACCI Safety Research3 Safety Research at ACCI n Trade specific Hazard Profiles. n Standardized documents n Techniques for risk assessment n Site Safety Meter technique.

ACCI Safety Research4 Hazard Profile Development n Initial focus on highest risks n demolition & roofing n Next stage covered 7 other trade packages n concreting, reo, formwork, plumbing, electrical, masonry & scaffolding

ACCI Safety Research5 Development Process n Iterative process with industry n Identified discrete activities n Identified hazards for each n Developed strategies to manage each hazard

Hazard Profile HAZARDRisk1Risk 2Risk 3 Hazard 1 Hazard 2 Hazard 3

Hazard Profile Development HAZARDRisk1Risk 2Risk 3 touching an burnsfall death electrical leadingby wire from to armelect’n a ladderbroken

ACCI Safety Research8 RISKS IN DEMOLITION By a numerical method (Fines) Risk ratings widely scattered achieved greater transparency by modifying graphical approach (Kinney and Wirruth)

ACCI Safety Research9 Fine’s Method Risk rating R=C*E*P –=Consequence*Exposure*Probability

ACCI Safety Research10 Fine’s Criteria Very high>350 High Substantial Moderate Acceptable<20

ACCI Safety Research11 Committee Rating Variation Rating for an electric shock from a temporary connection –1150substantial –2100substantial –3450very high –46000very high ** –** this value was ignored as the descriptions were misunderstood

ACCI Safety Research12 Exposure (frequency of the occurrence of the hazard event) Continuously (or many times daily)10 Frequently (approximately once daily) 6 Occasionally (from once a week to once a month) 3 Unusually (from once per month to once per year)2 Rarely (it has been known to occur) 1 Remotely possible (not known to have occurred) 0.5

ACCI Safety Research13.Consequences (most probable result of the potential hazard) Catastrophe; numerous fatalities; damage over $1,000,000; major disruption of activities100 Multiple fatalities; damage $400,000 to $1,000,000; 50 Fatality, damage $100,000 to $500,000; 25 Extremely serious injury (amputation, perm’t disability); damage $1,000 to $100,000; 15 Disabling injury; damage up to $1,000; 5 Minor cuts, bruises, bumps; minor damage. 1

ACCI Safety Research14 Probability (Likelihood that accident sequence will follow hazard event) The complete accident sequence: Is the most likely and expected result if the hazard- event takes place; 10 Is quite possible, not unusual, has an even 50/50 chance; 6 Would be an unusual sequence or coincidence; 3 Would be a remotely possible coincidence; 1 Has never happened after many years of exposure, but is conceivably possible; 0.5 Practically impossible sequence (has never happened). 0.1

ACCI Safety Research15 Variables Consequenceagreement on a fatality 50 Exposure2 selected 1 rare 1 selected 3 occasionally Probability2 selected 3 unusual but possible 1 selected 1 remotely possible

Student Risk Rating Risk rating for truck driver alighting from a parked truck

Subcontractor Risk Rating Risk rating for truck driver alighting from a parked truck

ACCI Safety Research18 Experience re Fine’s Method Process lacks transparency Training in use needed R is influenced by subjectivity Unacceptable variability in ratings is unavoidable

ACCI Safety Research19 Risk ratings - conclusions Both methods rely on subjective judgements The graphical method makes these judgements transparent

ACCI Safety Research20 Current Approach THREE LEVELS fatality serious injury minor injury

ACCI Safety Research21 Standard Terminology and Documents Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Safe work method statement Work method statements Hazard analysis Risk analysis

ACCI Safety Research22 Site Safety Meter n Based on the Finland TR Index n “Positive” rather than “Negative”. n Relatively objective & fast n % score n Graphical output

ACCI Safety Research23 Site Safety Meter n Measures specific categories against a prescribed criteria. n Provides both behaviour and systems feedback on site safety performance.

ACCI Safety Research24 Measures Specific Categories FOR BUILDINGS n Working habits n Order and tidiness n Electricity and lighting n Scaffolding & ladders n Edge protection, falls & falling n Plant and equipment

ACCI Safety Research25 Selection of Categories Construction fatalities NSW 87/88 (154) Predominant causes: n Falls from height. 41 (30%) n Contact with electricity 32 (21%) n Hit by moving object. 29 (19%) n Hit by falling object. 23 (15%) (Source: WorkCover NSW)

ACCI Safety Research26 Method of measurement Example-Cat 1 “Working Habits” n One reading / worker / area. n For a “correct” score, a person uses PPE or safety equipment correctly n harness attached near edge n ear & eye protection using saw

ACCI Safety Research27 Method of measurement n Example-Cat 4 “Scaffold & Ladders” n One obs/scaffold section & ladder/area n For a “correct” score: n Adequately braced and tied n Mobile assembled correctly, ladder, bracing & toeboards. n No large gaps between perimeter edge and scaffold. n Ladder tied off & angled correctly

ACCI Safety Research28 Safety Score Formula for Score as a % correct readings * 100 total readings

ACCI Safety Research29 Feedback

ACCI Safety Research30 Advantages n Provides “(+)”, not “(-) feedback. n Snapshot of safety environment n Stimulates the safety culture

ACCI Safety Research31 Weaknesses n Difficult to look beyond negatives, n Risk class is not considered. a site may score highly but still have a number of Class 1 (high) risk safety defects.

ACCI Safety Research32 Preliminary trial results 8 companies & 13 sites 60 site visits  10,000 data n Initial average SS 79%. n After 12 months: n Average score 85%.

Prelim results by categories