Construction, Remodeling and Renovation—Risk Control Guidelines

This text is intended to provide only a general review of risk control measures. The recommendations must be tailored to individual circumstances and, where appropriate, an expert should be consulted for specific information.

Falls
Steep roofs, ladders, scaffolds, balconies, overhead storage and work heights more than six feet high are common at construction sites. Roofing poses the highest possibility for falls, and therefore, guardrails and safety lines need to be utilized. (An additional exposure to consider in roofing is the possible presence of asbestos materials.)

Back Strains
Roofing, drywall work and other tasks include heavy lifting and require workers to work in awkward positions, which can contribute to strains. In addition, construction activity often results in costly accidents from slips, trips, falls that also can cause strains.

Guards
Guards are sometimes purposely removed from equipment with the idea of increasing productivity; however, severe cuts, amputation and costly delays are a possibility. Guarding blades, moving belts and other moving parts are a federal OSHA requirement. OSHA regulations also apply to personal tools used by construction workers. Citations can be very expensive.

Respiratory Problems
Bricks and wood are cut with fast moving blades that cause airborne particles. Fumes, vapors, grinding operations, spray paint, hazardous materials, hot liquids, metals and chemicals may also abound on the construction site. These exposures to loss contribute to the possibility of both bodily injuries and long-term respiratory disease. Personal protective equipment, such as goggles, face shields, respirators, shoes and gloves must always be used.

Cave-ins
There is a high probability for cave-ins when working below grade level. Fatalities and serious injuries invite not only adverse media publicity but also the possibility of OSHA involvement and indictments.

Human Element
While job-site factors are important, the vast majority of construction accidents occur due to workers’ unsafe acts and omissions. Some examples include servicing equipment while it is in operation, horseplay, unauthorized use of the equipment, walking under a suspended load, passengers riding on fenders and storage of dynamite and caps in the same location.

Construction workers should arrive at work feeling physically fit and rested. Fatigue and stress in meeting deadlines can lead workers to make unpredictable mistakes. Loss data reflects a pattern of fewer accidents among older and experienced workers who have developed the patience needed in construction activities. New workers lack knowledge of defined procedures and have not had the opportunity to develop safety habits. Very close supervision is required.

Supervisors are responsible for initial safety instructions and are held accountable. There is the need to control hazards and train individual workers.

Hazard Elimination
Eliminating hazards prevents accidents from occurring and is an excellent first step of risk control. Look for clutter in aisles, on stairs in traffic lanes and fire exits. Check for loose materials, lumber shavings, scraps, oil, grease and liquid spills. These hazards fall under the category of “housekeeping,” a major barometer of risk control success. Other hazards include unguarded floor openings, defective ladders and missing rails on scaffolding.

Hazard Control
After doing everything possible to eliminate hazards, policies and procedures should be adopted to cope with remaining hazards that are impossible to eliminate. The goal here is to minimize losses. This includes wearing proper eye and ear protection. Select only UL labeled equipment that has factory designed guarding. Wear suitable clothing, hard hats, safety shoes, gloves and aprons when needed. Use respirators where necessary. Supervisory personnel need to set a proper example when performing their work tasks.

Training
Effective on-the-job training and daily safety discussions before each activity can minimize accidents. Periodic risk control meetings should give construction project leaders the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to loss control. This will maintain enthusiasm to minimize accidents.

Emergency Procedures
Emergency telephone numbers for ambulance, fire and police should be readily available. Adequate first aid trained personnel and equipment are important for each location. Written emergency procedures should also be posted.

The goal is to get the job done efficiently without accidents. Accidents cause expensive delays. Compliance with common sense rules will complete the goals and minimize overall costs.

Contractors and Subcontractors
Contractors and subcontractors are to provide adequate liability and workers’ compensation coverage. If coverage is absent or inadequate, the church organization could be forced to provide this protection. Each contract should include a statement of compliance with OSHA safety regulations. The contract needs to be reviewed by both legal counsel and risk control program.

Construction Risk Control CHECKLIST