1. Designing for Construction Safety Lee Anne Jillings U.S. Dept. of Labor-OSHA John Mroszczyk, PhD, PE, CSP ASSE / Northeast Consulting Engineers, Inc. Mike Toole, PhD, PE Civil & Env. Engineering, Bucknell University

2. Overview OSHA Alliance ProgramOSHA Alliance Program What is Designing for Construction Safety?What is Designing for Construction Safety? Why is it important?Why is it important? How do Design Professionals fit in?How do Design Professionals fit in? Potential BarriersPotential Barriers ExamplesExamples ResourcesResources

3. OSHA Alliance Program Purpose of Alliance RoundtablesPurpose of Alliance Roundtables Success of Construction Alliance Roundtable:Success of Construction Alliance Roundtable: Fall Protection Workgroup Fall Protection Workgroup Design for Safety (DfS) Workgroup Design for Safety (DfS) Workgroup

4. OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable: DfS Workgroup Members American Society of Safety Engineers American Society of Safety Engineers Independent Electrical Contractors Independent Electrical Contractors ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America Mason Contractors Association of America Mason Contractors Association of America National Fire Protection Association National Fire Protection Association National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute Washington Group International Washington Group International

5. DfS Workgroup Products DfCS PowerPoint presentation DfCS PowerPoint presentation Presentations at National Conferences Presentations at National Conferences 2 to 4 hour course for design professionals 2 to 4 hour course for design professionals www.designforconstructionsafety.org www.designforconstructionsafety.org www.designforconstructionsafety.org Collaboration with NIOSH Prevention through Design initiative Collaboration with NIOSH Prevention through Design initiative

6. Designing for Construction Safety (DfCS) – What is it? An extension of DfS to cover construction projects An extension of DfS to cover construction projects Recognizes construction site safety as a design criterion Recognizes construction site safety as a design criterion The process of addressing construction site safety and health in the design of a project The process of addressing construction site safety and health in the design of a project

7. U.S. Construction Accident Statistics 1 Nearly 200,000 serious injuries and 1,200 deaths each year Nearly 200,000 serious injuries and 1,200 deaths each year 7% of workforce but 21% of fatalities 7% of workforce but 21% of fatalities Construction has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry sector Construction has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry sector 1 Bureau of Labor Statistics-2005

8. Construction Fatalities By Occupation 1 Total fatalities 1,234 Total fatalities 1,234 Construction laborers 283 Construction laborers 283 Carpenters 107 Carpenters 107 Construction Managers 95 Construction Managers 95 Roofers 94 Roofers 94 First-line supervisors 93 First-line supervisors 93 Electricians 70 Electricians 70 Painters/paper hangers 57 Painters/paper hangers 57 Truck drivers 56 Truck drivers 56 1 BLS,2004

9. Why Is DfCS Necessary? Currently there are no requirements for construction safety in building codes Currently there are no requirements for construction safety in building codes IBC Chapter 33 Safeguards During Construction-Pedestrian Safety IBC Chapter 33 Safeguards During Construction-Pedestrian Safety

10. Typical Construction Project Arrangement Project owner contracts separately with a architect/engineer and with a general contractor or a construction manager Project owner contracts separately with a architect/engineer and with a general contractor or a construction manager Above entities may subcontract out some or all of the work to specialty trade contractors Above entities may subcontract out some or all of the work to specialty trade contractors Project owners occasionally contract with a design-build firm to perform both design and construction Project owners occasionally contract with a design-build firm to perform both design and construction

11. Root Causes for Construction Accidents 1 Inadequate construction planning Inadequate construction planning Lack of proper training Lack of proper training Deficient enforcement of training Deficient enforcement of training Unsafe equipment Unsafe equipment Unsafe methods or sequencing Unsafe methods or sequencing Unsafe site conditions Unsafe site conditions Not using safety equipment that was provided Not using safety equipment that was provided 1 Toole, “Construction Site Safety Roles”, 2002

12. Accidents Linked to Design 1,2 22% of 226 injuries that occurred from 2000-2002 in Oregon, WA and CA 22% of 226 injuries that occurred from 2000-2002 in Oregon, WA and CA 42% of 224 fatalities in US between 1990- 2003 42% of 224 fatalities in US between 1990- 2003 In Europe, a 1991 study concluded that 60% of fatal accidents resulted from decisions made before site work began In Europe, a 1991 study concluded that 60% of fatal accidents resulted from decisions made before site work began 1 Behm, “Linking Construction Fatalities to the Design for Construction Safety Concept”, 2005 2 European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

13. Where Do Design Professionals Fit In? Considering safety issues related to the permanent facility during the design stage Considering safety issues related to the permanent facility during the design stage Designing out anticipated hazards Designing out anticipated hazards

14. Considering Safety During Design Offers the Most Payoff 1 Conceptual Design Detailed Engineering Procurement Construction Start-up High Low Ability to Influence Safety Project Schedule 1 Szymberski 1987

15. What Types of Design Decisions? IBC paragraph 704.11.1 requires that a parapet wall be at least 30 inches high IBC paragraph 704.11.1 requires that a parapet wall be at least 30 inches high OSHA 1926 Subpart M requires a 36-42 inch guardrail or other fall protection OSHA 1926 Subpart M requires a 36-42 inch guardrail or other fall protection If the design professional specifies a 36-42 inch high parapet wall, fall protection would not be required If the design professional specifies a 36-42 inch high parapet wall, fall protection would not be required

16. DfCS Process 1 Design Kickoff Design Internal Review Issue for Construction External Review Trade contractor involvement Establish design for safety expectations Include construction and operation perspective Identify design for safety process and tools QA/QC Cross- discipline review Focused safety review Owner review 1 Gambatese

17. DfCS Barriers Like many good ideas, DfCS faces a number of barriers that will likely slow its adoption. Potential solutions to these barriers involve long-term education and institutional changes.

18. Barrier: Risk of Additional Designer Liability Barrier: Designers’ concerns about additional undeserved liability for worker safety. Barrier: Designers’ concerns about additional undeserved liability for worker safety. Potential solutions: Potential solutions: Clearly communicate we are NOT suggesting designers should be held responsible for construction accidents.Clearly communicate we are NOT suggesting designers should be held responsible for construction accidents. Develop revised model contract language to facilitate DfCS without inappropriately shifting liability onto designers.Develop revised model contract language to facilitate DfCS without inappropriately shifting liability onto designers.

19. Barrier: Increased Designer Costs Associated with DfCS DfCS processes will increase both direct and overhead costs for designers. Barrier: DfCS processes will increase both direct and overhead costs for designers. Potential solution: Potential solution: Educate owners that total project costs and total project life cycle costs will decreaseEducate owners that total project costs and total project life cycle costs will decrease

20. Barrier: Designers' Lack of Safety Expertise Barrier: Few design professionals possess sufficient expertise in construction safety. Barrier: Few design professionals possess sufficient expertise in construction safety. Potential solutions: Potential solutions: Add safety to design professionals’ curricula.Add safety to design professionals’ curricula. Develop and promote 10-hour and 30- hour OSHA courses for design professionals.Develop and promote 10-hour and 30- hour OSHA courses for design professionals.

21. DfCS Examples: DfCS Examples: Prefabrication Steel stairs Concrete Wall Panels Concrete Segmented Bridge

22. DfCS Examples: DfCS Examples: Anchorage Points

23. DfCS Example: Residential Roofs

24. DfCS Examples: Roofs Skylights Upper story windows and roof parapets

25. DfCS Examples: l DfCS Examples: Steel Design Avoid hanging connections; design to bear on columns instead using safety seats Avoid hanging connections; design to bear on columns instead using safety seats Require holes in columns for tie lines 21” and 42” above each floor slab Require holes in columns for tie lines 21” and 42” above each floor slab Specify shop welded connections instead of bolts or field welds to avoid dangerous positions during erection Specify shop welded connections instead of bolts or field welds to avoid dangerous positions during erection Consider approximate dimensions of connection tools to prevent pinches or awkward assemblies Consider approximate dimensions of connection tools to prevent pinches or awkward assemblies National Institute of Steel Detailing and Steel Erectors Association of America. Detailing Guide for the Enhancement of Erection Safety. 2001

26. Example of the Need for DfCS Worker electrocuted when his drill rig got too close to overhead power lines. Design engineer specified groundwater monitoring wells were to be dug directly under power lines. Engineer could have specified wells be dug away from power lines and/or better informed the employer of hazard posed by wells’ proximity to powerlines through the plans, specifications, and bid documents.

27. Other DfCS Design Examples Design underground utilities to be placed using trenchless technology 1 Design underground utilities to be placed using trenchless technology 1 Specify primers, sealers and other coatings that do not emit noxious fumes or contain carcinogenic products 2 Specify primers, sealers and other coatings that do not emit noxious fumes or contain carcinogenic products 2 Design cable type lifeline system for storage towers 3 Design cable type lifeline system for storage towers 3 1 Weinstein, “Can Design Improve Construction Safety”, 2005 2 Gambatese, “Viability of Designing for Construction Worker Safety”, 2005 3 Behm, “Linking Construction Fatalities to the Design for Construction Safety Concept”, 2005

28. DfCS Practices Around the Globe Designers first required to design for construction safety in the United Kingdom in 1995 Designers first required to design for construction safety in the United Kingdom in 1995 Other European nations have similar requirements Other European nations have similar requirements Australia also leading in DfCS Australia also leading in DfCS http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/HealthSafety /SafeDesign/Understanding

29. DfCS Success Spurs Collaboration OSHA Alliance Roundtable Success has led to collaboration with NIOSH OSHA Alliance Roundtable Success has led to collaboration with NIOSH NIOSH NORA Construction Sector Council DfCS Workgroup NIOSH NORA Construction Sector Council DfCS Workgroup NIOSH Prevention Through Design National Workshop in July 2007 NIOSH Prevention Through Design National Workshop in July 2007

30. DfCS Resources www.designforconstructionsafety.org www.designforconstructionsafety.org Construction Industry Institute database Construction Industry Institute database www.construction- institute.org/scriptcontent/more/rr101_11_more.c fmwww.construction- institute.org/scriptcontent/more/rr101_11_more.c fmwww.construction- institute.org/scriptcontent/more/rr101_11_more.c fmwww.construction- institute.org/scriptcontent/more/rr101_11_more.c fm United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive designer guides United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive designer guides www.hse.gov.uk/construction/designers/index.ht mwww.hse.gov.uk/construction/designers/index.ht m CHAIR CHAIR www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Publications/OHS/Saf etyGuides/chairsafetyindesigntool.htmwww.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Publications/OHS/Saf etyGuides/chairsafetyindesigntool.htm

32. 2 to 4 Hour Course for Design Professionals 1 To provide design and construction professionals with skills to identify construction safety hazards To provide design and construction professionals with skills to identify construction safety hazards To provide design and construction To provide design and construction professionals with skills to eliminate or reduce the risk of a serious injury in the design phase professionals with skills to eliminate or reduce the risk of a serious injury in the design phase 1 www.designforconstructionsafety.org www.designforconstructionsafety.org

33. 2 to 4 Hour Course for Design Professionals 1 Safety Engineering-skills to recognize hazards and uncover “hidden” hazards Safety Engineering-skills to recognize hazards and uncover “hidden” hazards Design features to eliminate or reduce the risk of an injury due to a hazard Design features to eliminate or reduce the risk of an injury due to a hazard OSHA resources for DfCS OSHA resources for DfCS 1 www.designforconstructionsafety.org www.designforconstructionsafety.org

34. Summary Designing for safety can improve safety and health on construction sites Designing for safety can improve safety and health on construction sites Many countries require or promote designing for safety Many countries require or promote designing for safety National organizations are working to create tools, eliminate barriers and facilitate adoption of this important process in the United States National organizations are working to create tools, eliminate barriers and facilitate adoption of this important process in the United States

35. Thanks for listening! Questions? Questions? Comments? Comments?