An Analysis of fall in The Construction Industry
Student’s Name
Affiliation
Course
Date
This paper conducts an analysis of the risk of fall in construction sites. Falls impacts of and the major causes of accidents in construction sites. Prevention of accidents that may result from fall is critical in preventing deaths and time lost to treat injuries that may result from wounds that were sustained during a fall (Chew et al., 2010). This paper examines the necessity of frequent monitoring of construction site by the department of Building and halting of construction in the event not all the regulations are followed (Kaskutas et al., 2008). Training of employees and reporting incidences that may result to fall in the long run is critical in prevention of fatalities. The EPA guidelines regarding construction and prevention of falling objects are given major priority in the recommendations. The paper is divided into several segments namely;
The introduction
A case study of 303 East 51st Street is provided.
Major flaws and findings that caused the accident identified.
Recommendations necessary to prevent occurrence of such tragedy outlined.
Conclusion
Introduction
Construction is essential for expansion and accommodation of people and offices. In the American construction industry, falls are identified as the lead in terms of fatalities in the construction industry. An estimated range of 150 to 250 die while more than 10,000 get serious injuries as a result of falls from construction sites in America (Mori & Asaine, 2011). Accidents occurring as a result of fall are complicated but the reason to why many people die is lack of protective equipment while others are caught unaware when the objects fall. Falling objects such as falling lumber, bolts, steel, debris and tools can cause concussion, breaking of bones, neck injuries, back injuries and even death (Singh, 2013). Treatment of injuries can require surgeries and long months of rehabilitation. There are several reasons that may result to falling objects such as property owner negligence, jobsite hazards, subcontractor errors, violation of OSHA regulations and distraction as a result of commotion and workers carelessness (Mori & Asaine, 2011).
Similarly, another major reason to why the number of deaths and injuries are high is because most of the workers in the construction sites spent most of their day at construction zones and these sites have a lot of tools, equipments and machinery which increase the probability of an accident occurring. This paper will examine the causes, impacts and precautionary measures that require to taken to prevent accidents which come as a result of falls are limited. A case scenario is also used to give a further insight and explanation.
Several construction locations have caused serious injuries and death to people working on the project. The 303 East 51st Street is a sky crapper building whose process of construction is still in progress (Singh, 2013). The building is located at Turtle Bay in New York and it was expected to reach the height of 504 ft. until its construction was put on a halt (Singh, 2013). The construction commenced in 2007, and on 15th March 2008, the luffing-jib crane used in the construction of the building broke and fell instantly killing seven people (Mori & Asaine, 2011). The calamity was viewed as the worst construction accidents witnessed in New York in recent years.
Although the original structural design of the building was that the skyscraper would reach a height of 470 ft., the developers rescaled and added the height of the building to reach 504 ft. the increase in height was establish 117 more residential units. Prior to the occurrence of the accident, the New York department of Buildings had warned that the building had violated 13 safety violations that were necessary to be implemented during construction.
Despite several warnings, the developers continued with the construction process. On March 4, 2008 authorities further warned that the crane being used had been detached from the building and posed a risk but all the warning were ignored. On March 15, 2008, the crane (owned by New York Cranes and Equipment Company) fell during construction and killed seven people while 24 others got serious injuries (Singh, 2013). The events surrounding the occurrence of the accident indicate that workers were fixing new steel collars to anchor the structure at the 18th floor. Further analysis indicates that the main cause of the accident was breaking of a piece of Nylon when the crane was lifting a steel piece which weighed over six tons. After the accident, the construction of the building was put on a halt.
Faults resulting from the occurrence of the East 51st Street accident were attributed to several factors. Major flaws and ignorance was witnessed after the New York department of Buildings warned of the 13 counts of violations that were not followed during the construction process (Chew et al., 2010). Failure of the department of Building to halt the progress of constructing the structure further worsened the situation that resulted to several deaths. Despite having the power and authority to halt the construction on the basis of failing to follow the necessary regulations that are set to govern construction the evaluating officer assumed the violations were negligible. Further investigations indicated that improper use of polyester slings may have most likely caused the failure of the slings that resulted to the falling of the crane.
According to investigations, the sling failure was because of their inadequacy. The crane requirements were for effective and safe functionality, the crane required eight slings to properly support the steel collar but instead, four slings were used (Kaskutas et al., 2009). Further analysis indicated that the slings were improperly connected. They were incorrectly attached to the collar with the support of the chain blocks attachments instead of using chain block lugs. Conversely, one of the slings used that was positioned at the southwest end of the building was worn out and damaged before it was even used to support the six tons steel block (Mori & Asaine, 2011).
Uneven distribution of the steel load and improper installation of one sling cumulatively resulted to the failure of the other slings (Chew et al., 2010).
Basing on the investigative findings, William Rapetti (person in charge of the construction) and his entire company were sued on numerous accounts of negligent homicide, manslaughter, reckless engagement and assault (Mori & Asaine, 2011). The inspector of the New York department of Buildings was also charged with writing and filing of wrong inspection reports. The department of Buildings further conducted a countrywide campaign to educate the public on their safety in areas that are vulnerable to fall accidents especially construction sites. In the year 2009, new laws regarding construction were enacted to lower the risks of accidents. The use of Nylon slings was also limited to only special occasions.
Construction projects require to be designed in a manner that would limit the incidences of falling objects and assure the safety of the workers. Presence of hazards can warn employees from going to areas that are susceptible to fall objects without protective wear. They include: “Warning, beware of falling objects” are vital in preventing deaths and injuries (Kaskutas et al., 2008). Other ways of providing warning is through verbal and non-verbal communication. Employees’ awareness of areas that are prone to falling objects is important in making navigation within the site easy because such areas are avoided.
Securing loads before being lifted by cranes is important. The construction employees have to ensure the load is equally balanced before they are lifted. Securing and balancing of loads guarantees safety because the load is well balanced and held (Kaskutas et al., 2008). Swinging of loads over someone’s head should at all costs be discouraged because the potential for a tumble is high. Restricting of heavy stacks in specific areas where they are placed before being lifted lowers the probability of falling because most construction firms do not allow people to move to such areas (Kaskutas et al., 2009). Only specialists who know how to take necessary caution and safety are allowed.
Installation of administrative control by a great margin lower the probability and also prevent falling objects at workplace. Constructing of boards around elevated construction sites lowers the probability of objects falling over the edge and causing accidents. Placing bars across storage areas reduces the probability of objects tumbling out (Chew et al., 2010). Conversely, construction of fences and barricades keeps the public away from construction zones hence their risk that may arise from falling objects is also lowered.
Training employees and workers on the nature and condition of fall hazards and detecting and responding to fall hazards and understanding the correct procedures in erection of loads and maintenance of equipment by a big margin reduces risks of fatalities and injuries. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a necessity when working in areas where the probability and potential falling objects is very high (Kaskutas et al., 2008). The department of Building needs to examine and protective equipment to ensure they match the required standards.
Conclusion
Modern day constructions use tower cranes to construct high rise buildings. The towers ability to carry extremely heavy loads makes them widely preferred and used. However, these machines could be the most risky especially when they do not undergo frequent and proper servicing (Chew et al., 2010). The department of Buildings has put emphasis on the necessity of ensuring that the cranes do not cause a tragedy similar to that of the 303 East 51st Street New York Tower. The building inspection department needs to improve its monitoring, evaluation and reporting department to assure the safety of the public and workers who work at the construction site and may be susceptible to falling objects (Kaskutas et al., 2008).
References
Kaskutas, V., Dale, A. M., Nolan, J., Patterson, D., Lipscomb, H. J., & Evanoff, B. (2009). Fall Hazard Control Observed On Residential Construction Sites. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 52(6), 491-499.
Kaskutas, V. K., Dale, A. M., Lipscomb, H. J., & Evanoff, B. A. (2008). Development of the St. Louis Audit of Fall Risks at Residential Construction Sites. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 14(4), 243-249.
Mori, A., & Asaine, W. (2011). Preventing Accidents On Building Construction Sites. Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering (Transactions of AIJ), 76(665), 1213-1219.
Singh, R. (2013). Arctic pipeline planning design, construction, and equipment. Amsterdam: Gulf Professional Publishing.
Wu, W., Yang, H., Chew, D. A., Yang, S., Gibb, A. G., & Li, Q. (2010). Towards an autonomous real-time tracking system of near-miss accidents on construction sites. Automation in Construction, 19(2), 134-141.
