Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in Construction Sites

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Construction Sites are hive-like centers of activity where specialized employees join together to realize architectural concepts. These projects exhibit human inventiveness and engineering skill, but they also pose serious threats to the environment, employees’ health, and safety. At this point, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management becomes a vital part of work on a building site.

Emergency situations:

1. Land sliding
2. Suffocation
3. Electrical hazards
4. Earthquake
5. Floods
6. Heavy rainfall
7. Falling hazards
8. Equipment related emergencies

Landslide: It may occur due to wind and rainfall which may stall the traffic in the site and needs to be cleared immediately.

Suffocation: It may occur inside the tunnel due to its deep structure.

Electrical hazards: these may occur due to miss-handling of equipment’s

Earthquake: The area is prone to earthquakes as it falls in (zone 5) which can interrupt working and can cause damage to the property and life.

Floods: these may arise due to heavy rainfalls.

Falling Hazards: the work involves working of laborers at height. Therefore there is always a risk of falling.

Equipment-related emergencies: Emergencies may also arise due to the failure of the equipment.

Prevention and precautions in emergency situations:

1. Land sliding:

• The protection and safety kit should be used in such areas.
• The safety kit consists of a reflecting jacket, helmets, and gam boots.
• Working should be stopped in bad weather conditions.
  

NOTE: if oxygen content exceeds 21.5%, then fire hazards will increase.

2. Electrical hazards:

• Proper guidance should be given to workmen to operate machines.
• The main supply should be cut down in the case of electrical is happening.
• Regular maintenance should be given to machines.
• To prevent the whole project from being damaged again, retaining walls are provided at the powerhouse.
• One should switch off the main supply of power in case of floods.

3. Heavy rainfall:

• Machinery should be covered with sheds.
• Checking of machines should be done before their operation.

4. Falling hazards:

• Safety belts should be used along with ropes.
• Workers should be made aware of it and its possibilities.

5. Equipment-related emergencies:

• Regular maintenance should be done.
• The equipment should be used in accordance with their permissible
  limits.

6. Electrical fire:

• Fire extinguishers should be used.
• Electrical appliances should be handled with care.

Safety equipment:

➢ Fire extinguisher
➢ Water
➢ Sand bucket
➢ Helmet
➢ Face shield
➢ Nose mask
➢ Glasses
➢ Gumboots
➢ Hand gloves
➢ Earplugs/earmuffs
➢ Safety belts

Types of fires:

There are 4 types of fires namely Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D

Type A: When solids such as sand, leaves, etc. catch fire, it is categorized as type A fire. This type of fire can be resolved by using water.
▪ Type B: When liquids such as gasoline catch fire, it is categorized as type B fire. This type of fire can be resolved by using a fire extinguisher of type B.
▪ Type C: When gases catch fire, it is categorized as type C fire. This type of fire can be resolved by using a fire extinguisher of type C.
▪ Type D: When a fire erupts due to electrical faults, it is categorized as type D fire. This type of fire can be resolved by switching off the main supply.

Types of fire extinguishers:

i. Type A: It is a dry chemical powder fire extinguisher.
ii. Type B: It is a foam fire extinguisher.
iii. Type C: It is a carbon monoxide fire extinguisher.

All construction staff, including employees, managers, and supervisors, should get training on EHS procedures and safe work practices. To keep everyone informed about potential risks and emergency procedures, regularly update and reinforce safety training.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in Construction Site

Recommended Books:-

1. Construction Safety and Health” – https://amzn.to/4h95p2v
2. Construction Safety Management and Engineering – https://amzn.to/3QIWhqw
3. Handbook of OSHA Construction Safety and Health – https://amzn.to/3QJGHuI
4. Environmental and Health and Safety Management: – https://amzn.to/4btYO1q