Construction Project Health and Safety Manual

This manual outlines the health and safety requirements for the construction project. It details critical safety procedures, risk assessments, emergency response plans, and compliance measures to ensure a safe working environment for all personnel involved. All workers must be trained before beginning any task, especially high-risk activities such as working at heights, hazardous energy control (lockout/tag out), or confined space entry. Workers should also be aware of seasonal hazards from working in extreme temperatures and know how to get help in an emergency for working alone situations. It is essential to be aware of the emergency response plans before work begins. [1] [1] [1] [1]

General Safety Procedures

Safe Work Practices

• Follow safety procedures for confined space entry, working at heights, electrical safety, lockout/tagout of machinery, machinery and safeguard, ladders, material handling, working with tools and equipment, working alone, extreme work temperatures, and fire safety.
• Practice safe lifting techniques.
• Know how to identify hazards.
• Follow company safety rules and safe operating procedures.
• Stay informed about chemical hazards and WHMIS 2015.
• Know how to report a hazard.
• Follow good housekeeping procedures.

[1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Use correct personal protective equipment and apparel, including safety footwear. PPE should be used when elimination, substitution, engineering, or administrative controls are not practicable, or when additional protection is required because other control methods are not sufficient to reduce the hazard or the hazard is a result of a temporary or emergency condition. PPE limits exposure to the harmful effects of a hazard but only if the PPE is worn and used correctly. Examples of PPE include respiratory protection. [2] [11] [11] [11]

Housekeeping

Keep all work areas clear of clutter and equipment. Good housekeeping is essential to prevent the accumulation of hazardous or toxic materials or hazardous conditions. Being prepared for emergencies means making sure that the necessary equipment and supplies are readily available and that employees know what to do when something unplanned happens such as a release, spill, fire, or injury. These procedures should be written, and employees should have the opportunity to practice their emergency response skills regularly. [2] [10] [11]

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene practices are an effective way to reduce the amount of a hazardous material absorbed, ingested, or inhaled by a worker. Examples include washing hands after handling material and before eating, drinking or smoking, avoiding touching lips, nose, and eyes with contaminated hands, and prohibiting smoking, drinking, chewing gum, or eating in work areas. [11] [11]

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Hazard Identification

Scan the workplace for existing and potential hazards before work begins and take appropriate controls. Be aware that conditions can change constantly. Inspect all equipment and machinery for any defects before work begins and keep tools and equipment in good working order. To be sure that all hazards are found, look at all aspects of the work, include routine and non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning, and look at the incidents, near-miss, and hazard reports. [2] [2] [2] [4]

Types of Hazards

• Biological - bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants, and animals.
• Chemical - depends on the physical, chemical, and toxic properties of the product
• Ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper setup of workstations, etc.
• Physical - radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, vibration, etc.
• Psychosocial - stress, violence, harassment, etc.
• Safety - slipping or tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.

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Risk Assessment

Risk is the combination of probability and severity that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard. The aim of the risk assessment process is to evaluate hazards and then remove that hazard or minimize the level of its risk by adding control measures, as necessary. By doing so, you have created a safer and healthier workplace. Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of an occupational health and safety management plan. They help to create awareness of hazards and risks, identify who may be at risk, determine whether a control program is required for a particular hazard, determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should be done, prevent injuries or illnesses, prioritize hazards and control measures, and meet legal requirements where applicable. [7] [7] [7]

When to Conduct a Risk Assessment

• Before new processes or activities are introduced.
• Before changes are introduced to existing processes or activities, including when products, machinery, tools, or equipment change.
• When new information concerning harm becomes available.
• When hazards are identified.
• Before working in a new environment.
• When new information on hazard controls or good practices becomes available.
• Before performing maintenance or commissioning of equipment
• Before completing routine or non-routine tasks.
• When the legislation requires a risk assessment to be done.

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Steps for Performing a Risk Assessment

1. Assemble a risk assessment team including supervisors and workers.
2. Select the job or process to assess, prioritizing jobs with higher injury and illness rates.
3. Break down the job or process into tasks.
4. Identify the hazards of each task.
5. Assess the risk of each hazard by determining the likelihood of harm and its severity.
6. Control the risk of each hazard using the hierarchy of controls.
7. Evaluate the effectiveness of controls.
8. Communicate the results to workers, supervisors, and other individuals involved with the job or process being assessed.

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Hierarchy of Controls

The hierarchy of controls should be used to identify the actions necessary to eliminate the hazard or control the risk. Employee education and training on how to conduct their work safely is a critical element of any complete workplace health and safety program. Training must cover not only how to do the job safely but it must also ensure that workers understand the hazards and risks of their job, and the controls in place to protect them. It must also provide them with information on how to protect themselves and co-workers. [8] [10]

Emergency Response Plan

Emergency Preparedness

Preparing and training for emergency response for incidents such as spills, fire, or employee injury is important. Ensure that the necessary equipment and supplies are readily available and that employees know what to do when something unplanned happens. These procedures should be written, and employees should have the opportunity to practice their emergency response skills regularly. [10] [11]

Compliance with Safety Regulations

Applicable Legislation

Construction projects must comply with all relevant federal, provincial, and local safety regulations. This includes adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations in the relevant jurisdiction. High-hazard work includes building construction, road construction, earthwork, tunneling and trenching, and power line construction and maintenance. [3] [9]

First Aid Requirements

Every place of employment requires a first aid kit containing standard supplies as identified through a workplace first aid risk assessment, a manual, a register, and emergency information. First aid personnel requirements are based on the level of risk associated with the work carried out at the place of employment as determined by a workplace first aid risk assessment. [9] [9]

Training and Competency

Worker Orientation

All workers must receive a comprehensive orientation before starting work. This orientation should cover hazard identification, hazard control, and risk assessment, emergency procedures, and incident investigation. [12]

Education and Training Program Design

When providing training, an instructor should receive training in how to instruct and prepare an orderly plan for instruction. All instructors should plan the session beforehand, break the job down into steps, and have training aids available. They should explain what is to be done, describe all the hazards and protective measures, demonstrate each step, stress key points, and answer any questions. The worker should carry out each step, correct errors, and compliment good performance. Check frequently after the worker is working independently to ensure correct performance. Documented correct work procedures are very important in job skills training. [12] [12] [12] [12]

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