Design for Construction Safety

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Design for Construction Safety
OSHA Alliance Construction Roundtable Design for
Construction Safety Workgroup
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Designing for Construction Safety

• Overview
• What is DfCS?
• Practical Benefits
• The DfCS Process
• Examples
• Solutions to barriers
• Organizations working on DfCS

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Designing for Construction Safety What is it?

• The process of addressing construction site
  safety and health in the design of a project
• Construction site safety as a design criterion
• Safety Constructability
• Focus on the design of the permanent facility

4
Benefits of DfCS

• Increased productivity
• Reduced workers compensation premiums
• Fewer delays due to accidents during construction
  allow continued focus on quality
• Improved ability to meet clients needs

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Construction Accidents in U.S.1

• Nearly 200,000 serious injuries and 1,200 deaths
  each year
• 7 of workforce but 21 of fatalities
• Every design, engineering and construction
  professional must do what they can to reduce
  these numbers
• 1 Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Considering Safety During Design Offers the Most
Payoff
The earlier safety is incorporated into the
schedule the more influence it will have on the
total project!
High
Conceptual Design
Detailed Engineering
Procurement
Ability to Influence Safety
Construction
Start-up
Low
Project Schedule
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Design Matters

• 50 of general contractors identified poor design
  features as affecting safety
• 60 of accidents could have been reduced during
  design
• 22 of injury incidents and 42 of fatality
  incidents linked to design

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Codes of Ethics Related to DfCS

• National Society of Professional Engineers
• Engineers shall hold paramount the safety,
  health, and welfare of the public.
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety,
  health and welfare of the general public are
  dependent upon engineering decisions .

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DfCS Practices Around the Globe

• Designers first required to design for
  construction safety in the United Kingdom in 1995
• Other European nations have similar requirements
• Australia also leading in DfCS

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DfCS Examples Prefabrication
Concrete Wall Panels
Concrete Segmented Bridge
Steel stairs
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DfCS Examples Roof Deck Anchors
Wood Roof Anchor
Permanent Anchors
Metal Roof Anchor
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DfCS Examples Anchorage Points
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DfCS Examples Roofs
Upper story windows and roof parapets
Skylights
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DfCS Examples Steel Design

• 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
• 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

National Institute of Steel Detailing and Steel
Erectors Association of America. Detailing Guide
for the Enhancement of Erection Safety. 2001
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DfCS Examples Well Locations

• 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.

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Other DfCS Design Examples

• Design underground utilities to be placed using
  trenchless technology1
• Specify primers, sealers and other coatings that
  do not emit noxious fumes or contain carcinogenic
  products2
• Design cable type lifeline system for storage
  towers3
• 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

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DfCS Barriers

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

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Barrier Designers' Fear of Liability

• Some designers may avoid DfCS for fear of
  undeserved liability for worker safety.
• Solution Clearly communicate the DfCS
  initiative does NOT suggest designers should be
  held responsible for construction accidents.
• Solution Develop revised model contract language
  and legislation that encourage DfCS.
• Solution Propose legislation is facilitate
  designing for construction safety without
  inappropriately shifting safety duties and
  liability onto designers.

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Barrier Increased Designer Costs Associated
with DfCS

• While DfCS results in decreased total project
  life cycle costs for the owner, DfCS processes
  will increase both direct and overhead costs for
  designers.
• Increased direct costs will result from more time
  spent on many design tasks.
• Increased overhead costs will result from
  providing safety training and perhaps increased
  insurance premiums.
• Solution Educate owners that they must be
  willing to pay slightly higher design fees to
  save themselves money in the long run.

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Barrier Designers' Lack of Safety Expertise

• Barrier Few design professionals possess
  sufficient expertise in construction safety.
• Solution Promote including construction safety
  in construction, engineering and architectural
  curricula.
• Solution Develop and promote 10-hour and
  30-hour OSHA courses for design professionals.

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DfCS Process
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DfCS Resources

• Construction Industry Institute database
• http//www.construction-institute.org/scriptconten
  t/more/rr101_11_more.cfm
• United Kingdom Health Safety Executive designer
  guides
• http//www.hse.gov.uk/construction/designers/index
  .htm
• CHAIR
• http//www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Publications/OHS/S
  afetyGuides/chairsafetyindesigntool.htm
• OSHA Website
• www.osha.gov
• Life Cycle Safety Process

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OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable
DfS Workgroup Members

• American Society of Civil Engineers-Construction
  Institute
• American Society of Safety Engineers
• Independent Electrical Contractors
• ADSC International Association of Foundation
  Drilling
• Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America

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DfS Workgroup Members, continued

• Mason Contractors Association of America
• National Fire Protection Association
• National Institute for Occupational Safety
  Health
• Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute
• Washington Group International

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Summary

• Designing for construction safety is the right
  thing to do and the smart thing to do
• Increased productivity
• Reduced workers compensation premiums
• Fewer delays due to accidents
• Better able to meet clients needs
• 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

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Thanks for Listening

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