World Cup accidents: Belo Horizonte bridge collapses at construction site

World Cup Bridge collapse in Brasil

At least two people were crushed to death when an overpass under construction collapsed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, one of the host cities of the 2014 World Cup.
The bridge, located about three kilometres from the Mineirao Stadium, scene of last night's shock Brazil exit at the hands of Germany, collapsed on Thursday 3rd July as vehicles were passing on the expressway underneath.
Witnesses said the metal structure supporting the overpass gave way and snapped, leading to the collapse of the bridge onto passing vehicles, destroying a bus, a car, and two trucks parked in the nearby construction site. 
Two people were killed in the crash and 19 people were reported injured.

UNDERSTANDING CONFINE SPACE

CONFINE SPACE

Any area that is completely or partially enclosed, limited or restricted entry and exit which is not ordinarily designed for human continuous occupancy .e.g. a reservoir, a silo, a vat, a hopper, a chamber, a vault, a ditch, a pipe, a chimney, an access shaft, a truck or freight car tank. It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of confined spaces. Some places may become confined spaces when work is carried out, or during their construction, fabrication or subsequent modification.

Non-permit required confined spaces do not contain additional hazards such as the potential of a hazardous atmosphere or the potential for workers to become engulfed or trapped by materials. Non-permit required confined spaces must still be continually accessed by workers, because some are still associated with inherent difficulties stemming from the tight spaces. Examples could be equipment closets, crawl spaces under houses, machinery cabinets, ventilated tunnels, and drop ceilings.

                                             PART I – Is this space a confined space?

1. Does the space have limited or restricted means of entry and exit?

2. Is the space large enough with no obstructions so an employee can perform his/her work?

3. Is the space not designed for continuous occupancy i.e. hazard of biological, chemical, and atmospheric present?

If the answer is no to any of the items in the above Part I, the space is not considered a confined space.

If the answer is yes to all items in Part I, continue to Part II.

PART II – Is it a Permit-Required Confined Space?

A permit–required or permit-to-work ensures a formal check is undertaken to make sure all the elements of a safe system of work are in place before people are allowed to enter or work in the confined space. If a particular space has been determined to be permit required, you should identify it with the proper confined space signs, or some other communication tool to prevent unauthorized entry. You may also use a barricade system to supplement your safety sign.

CONFINED SPACE IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST

Below is an example of a checklist to help identify and classify a space. The checklist should be revised to best fit the type of construction being performed.

1. Does the space contain or potentially contain a hazardous atmosphere?

2. Does the space contain any chemicals or chemical residues?

3. Does the space contain any flammable/combustible substances?

4. Does the space contain or potentially contain any decomposing organic matter?

5. Does the space have any pipes which bring chemicals into it?

6. Does the space have any materials that can trap or potentially trap, engulf, or drown an entrant?

7. Is vision obscured with no illumination or by dust at 5 feet or less?

8. Does the space contain any mechanical equipment servicing the space thereby generating heat with or without CO exhaust?

9. Does the space have converging walls, sloped floors or tapered floor to smaller cross-sections which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant?

10. Does the tank or vessel contain rusted interior surfaces?

11. Does the space contain thermal hazards (e.g. cold, hot)?

12. Does the space contain excessive noise levels which could interfere with communication with an attendant?

13. Does the space present any slip, trip, or fall hazards?

14. Are there any operations conducted near the space opening which could present a hazard to the entrant?

15. Are there any hazards from falling objects?

16. Are there lines under pressure servicing the space?

17. Are cleaning solvents or paints going to be used in the space?

18. Is welding, cutting, brazing, riveting, scraping, or sanding going to be performed in the space?

19. Is electrical equipment located in or required to be used in the space?

20. Does the space have poor natural ventilation which would allow an atmospheric hazard to develop?

21. Are there any corrosives which could irritate the eyes in the space?

22. Are there any conditions which could prevent any entrant’s self-rescue from the space?

23. Are there any substances used in the space which have acute hazards?

24. Is mechanical ventilation needed to maintain a safe environment?

25. Is air monitoring necessary to ensure the space is safe for entry due to a potential hazardous atmosphere?

26. Will entry be made into a diked area where the dike is 5 feet or more in height?

27. Are residues going to be scraped off the interior surfaces of the vessel?

28. Are non-sparking tools required to remove residues?

29. Does the space restrict mobility to the extent that it could trap an entrant?

30. Is respiratory protection required because of a hazardous atmosphere?

31. Does the space present a hazard other than those noted above which would make it a permit space?

If any other questions in PART II have been checked yes, the confined space is a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS). Entry into these spaces must be performed under the protection of your confined space procedure.

I will be detailing you contents of a Permit-to-Work on subsequent post.

BASICS OF SCAFFOLDING

GENERAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENT

A. CREATE AWARENESS: Post the organization scaffolding safety guidelines in a conspicuous place and be sure that all persons who erect, dismantle, or use scaffolding are aware of them, and also use them in tool box safety meetings.

B.CONSTANT SITE/ERECTED SCAFFOLD INSPECTION: A survey shall be made of the job site (where the scaffold is meant to be erected) by a competent person (before erection and while in use) for any unsafe act and conditions including hazards, such as uncompacted earth fills, ditches, debris, high tension wires, contact with cables with bad insulation, unguarded openings, and other hazardous conditions created by other activities.

C. INSPECT ALL EQUIPMENT BEFORE USING. Never use any equipment that is damaged or defective in any way. Mark it or tag it as defective. Remove it from the job site.

D. DO NOT ERECT, DISMANTLE OR ALTER A SCAFFOLD unless under the supervision of a competent person.

E. DO NOT WORK UNDER THE INFLUENCE of alcohol or illegal drugs.

F. COMPETENT KNOWLEDGE OF WORKING AT HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS.

G. APPROPRIATE TAGGING MUST BE APPLIED.Indicating the purpose, status and other       information on the scaffold.

     

.

                                        GUIDELINES FOR ERECTION AND USE OF SCAFFOLDS

A. SCAFFOLD BASE MUST BE SET ON BASE PLATES AND USE ADEQUATE SILL OR PAD to prevent slipping or sinking and fixed thereto where required. Any part of a building or structure used to support the scaffold shall be capable of supporting the maximum intended load to be applied.

B.  BRACING, LEVELING & PLUMBING OF FRAME SCAFFOLDS-

1. Plumb and level all scaffolds as erection proceeds. Do not force frames or braces to fit. Level the scaffold until proper fit can be easily made.

2. Each frame or panel shall be braced by horizontal bracing, cross bracing, diagonal bracing or any combination thereof for securing vertical members together laterally. All brace connections shall be made secure, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

C. BRACING, LEVELING & PLUMBING OF TUBE & CLAMP AND SYSTEM SCAFFOLDS-

1. Posts shall be erected with plumb in all directions, with the first level of runners and bearers positioned as close to the base as feasible.

2. Plumb and level all scaffolds as erection proceeds.

3. Fasten all couplers and/or connections securely before assembly of next level.

4. Vertical and/or horizontal diagonal bracing must be installed to guarantee stability.

D. A FREE STANDING SCAFFOLD TOWER must not exceed a height of three (3) times their minimum base dimension especially in the case of a mobile or access scaffold without the use of outrigger or braces for support.

E. TIE CONTINUOUS (RUNNING) SCAFFOLDS TO THE WALL OR STRUCTURE at each end and at least every 30 feet / 9m of length in between when scaffold height exceeds the maximum allowable free standing dimension. Install additional ties on taller scaffolds as follows:

On scaffolds 3 foot/ 0.9m or narrower in width, subsequent vertical ties shall be repeated at intervals no greater than every 20 foot / 6.1m.

On scaffolds wider than 3 foot/ 0.9m, subsequent vertical ties shall be repeated at intervals not greater than 26 feet/ 7.9m. The top tie shall be installed as close to the top of the platform as possible; however, no lower from the top than 4 times the scaffold’s minimum base dimension.

Ties must prevent the scaffold from tipping either into or away from the structure.

F. DO NOT ERECT SCAFFOLDS NEAR ELECTRICAL POWER LINES. Consult a qualified person for advice.

G. ACCESS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO ALL PLATFORMS. Do not climb cross braces or diagonal braces.

H. PROVIDE A GUARDRAIL SYSTEM, FALL PROTECTION AND TOE BOARDS WHERE REQUIRED.

I. ALL SCAFFOLDING COMPONENTS shall be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommended procedure. Components shall not be altered. Scaffold frames and their components manufactured by different companies shall not be intermixed, unless the component parts readily fit together and the resulting scaffold’s structural integrity is maintained by the user after being certified by a competent person.

J. OVERREACHING. Do not stretched out climb on guard rail

K. DO NOT USE. Notice of out of use must be placed on an Incomplete, deformed or under construction scaffold

L. USE Personal Fall Arrest, Must use safety harness. Life line to be used where required.

M. AVOID OVERLOAD, Never overcrowd scaffold with people, supplies materials and equipment.

 

                                                             SAFE USE OF SCAFFOLD

1. Prior to use, inspect scaffold to insure it has not been altered and is in safe working condition.

2. Erected scaffolds and platforms should be inspected continuously by those using them.

3. Exercise caution when entering or leaving a work platform.

4. Do not overload scaffold. Follow manufacturer’s safe working load recommendations.

5. Do not jump onto planks or platforms.

6. DO NOT USE ladders or makeshift devices to increase the working height of a scaffold. Do not plank guardrails to increase the height of a scaffold.

7. Climb in access areas only and use both hands in holding the Stairs guard rail..

                    WHEN DISMANTLING SCAFFOLDING THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL                                                            GUIDELINES APPLY:

A. Check to assure scaffolding has not been structurally altered in a way which would make it unsafe and, if it has, reconstruct and/or stabilize where necessary before commencing with dismantling procedures. This includes all scaffold ties.

B. Visually inspect planks prior to dismantling to be sure they are safe.

C. Do not remove a scaffold component without considering the effect of that removal.

D. Do not accumulate excess components or equipment on the level being dismantled.

E. Do not remove ties until scaffold above has been dismantled to that level.

F. Lower dismantled components in an orderly manner. Do not throw off of scaffold and its components.

G. Dismantled equipment should be stockpiled in an orderly manner.

H. Adequate use of Fall Arrest must be used. Safety Harness. 

                                                       PLANKING

1. Working platforms shall cover scaffold bearer as completely as possible. Only scaffold grade wood planking, or fabricated planking and decking meeting scaffold use requirements shall be used. Planks and platforms should rest on bearers only.

2. Check each plank prior to use to be sure plank is not warped, damaged, or otherwise unsafe.

3. Planking shall have at least 12" overlap and extend 6" beyond center of support, or be cleated or restrained at both ends to prevent sliding off supports.

4. Solid sawn lumber, LVL (laminated veneer lumber) or fabricated scaffold planks and platforms (unless cleated or restrained) shall extend over their end supports not less than 6" nor more than 18". This overhang should be guard railed to prevent been used as working platform.

  

Basics of Working Safely: BASIC OF SCAFFOLDING

Basics of Working Safely: BASIC OF SCAFFOLDING:                                                       INTRODUCTION Scaffolding , also called  scaffold  or  staging , is a tempora...

BASIC OF SCAFFOLDING

                                                      INTRODUCTION

Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other manmade structures. Scaffolding is also used in adapted forms for formwork and shoring, grandstand seating, concert stages, access/viewing towers, exhibition stands, ski ramps, half pipes and art projects.

Scaffold has to fulfil a diverse set of requirements:
- creation of safe and productive working areas
- providing access to working areas at higher levels
- carrying area and/or point loads

                                    COMPONENT OF SCAFFOLD

                                                          HAZARD OF SCAFFOLD

Employees working on scaffold are exposed to so many hazards, some of which are;

        1.       Falls from Elevation: Caused by Slip, Trip, unsafe access, and lack of fall protections e.g Guard                   Rails, or use of PPE (Personal Fall Arrest-Safety Harness).

           2.  Workers being struck by fallings tools, equipment, materials or debris.

    3.   Electrocution: Contact with overhead power lines, exposed or defective insulation on cables                            carrying current .

     4.    Scaffold Collapse: Caused by instability or overloading

              

     5.   Bad Planking Giving way.

          

6.    Scaffold collapse: Caused by being struck by machinery e.g. crane boom, lifted materials, moving                  heavy duty vehicles etc.

LIFTING AND RIGGING: SPOT THE HAZARD IN THIS OPERATION

RIGGING AND LIFTING HAZARD

          What Unsafe act and Conditions can you identify in the Picture above?

           The much you can identify and implement control against, the less the occurrence of accident in the                    above rigging and lifting operation.

ACCIDENT AND NEARMISSES NEWS

SCAFFOLD FATALITY

Scaffold Collapse at Cooling Tower Contruction in Fengcheng China

November 24, 2016

Scaffolding at a construction site in eastern China collapsed into a deadly heap on Thursday, as iron pipes, steel bars and wooden planks tumbled down and crushed nearly all 70 workers in the country's worst work-safety accident in over two years.

At least 67 people were killed by the collapse of a work platform at a power plant's cooling tower that was under construction, state media reported. Two others were injured and one worker was missing.

The reported death toll suggested that nearly all the construction workers at the cooling tower perished. Close to 70 people were working at the site when the scaffolding collapsed, according to local media reports.

About 500 rescue workers, including paramilitary police officers, were digging through the debris with their bare hands, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Footage showed debris strewn across the floor of the cavernous concrete cooling tower.

Investigation has revealed lax in compliance with safety standard including neglect of scaffold design, erection, usage and dismantling requirement to be overseen by a competent person as the reason for the fatalities.

http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/number-of-deaths-in-construction-accident-in-china-rises-to-74-1629956

Basic of Hazard Management System

                                                     HAZARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

           

There are four steps used to management of Accident prevention at work:

1.     Spot the Hazard (Hazard Identification)

             A hazard is anything that could hurt you or someone else, damage equipment or material                                  and ultimately make that environment unsafe for her inhabitants. 

2.     Assess the Risk (Risk Assessment)

           Assessing the risk means working out how likely it is that the already identified hazard will harm                        someone and how serious  the harm could be. (This details of this section will be discussed further in            a later post.)

3.    Make the Changes (Risk Control)

           The best way to fix a hazard is to get rid of it altogether. This is not always possible, but your employer              should try to make hazards less dangerous by looking at the following options (in order from most                      effective to least effective):

·         Elimination - Sometimes hazards - equipment, substances or work practices - can be avoided entirely. (e.g. Clean high windows from the ground with an extendable pole cleaner, rather than by climbing a ladder and risking a fall.)

·         Substitution - Sometimes a less hazardous thing, substance or work practice can be used. (e.g. Use a non-toxic glue instead of a toxic glue.)

·         Isolation - Separate the hazard from people, by marking the hazardous area, fitting screens or putting up safety barriers. (e.g. Welding screens can be used to isolate welding operations from other workers. Barriers and/or boundary lines can be used to separate areas where forklifts operate near pedestrians in the workplace.)

·         Engineering - Safeguards can be added by modifying tools or equipment, or fitting guards to machinery. These must never be removed or disabled by workers using the equipment.

·         Administrative / Management Control  - This means developing and enforcing safe work procedures. Workers must be given information and instruction and must follow agreed procedures to ensure their safety.

·         Using personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) - If risks remain after the options have been tried, it may be necessary to use equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, helmets and ear muffs. PPE can protect you from hazards associated with jobs such as handling chemicals or working in a noisy environment.

 4. Monitoring control Implementation ( Control Re-Evaluation) 
         

       This part of the process ensures that the introduced control is archiving it's objective and not introducing an

      an unaware hazard. It ensures that feedback is given to measure the effectiveness of the control implemented       to the initially identified hazard.