Health and Safety and Welfare
in Construction
Causes of accidents in construction
Here are a few examples of what are the causes of many accidents in
the workplace:
• Excessive haste in order to get the job done.
• Lack of preparation in making the work area safe to do the work in hand.
• Taking shortcuts in order to get the job done and not observing safe working.
• Distraction by others.
• Lack of concentration due to lack of interest in the job.
• Failure to observe the health and safety rules
.
• Horseplay, acting irresponsibly, creating a danger and a hazard to yourself and
others.
• Personal protective equipment or clothing not used or worn.
• Inadequate training and supervision.
• Inadequate lighting/heating or excessive noise.
• Poor storage of materials.
• Unsafe methods of handling and lifting.
• Defective tools and equipment.
• Failure to comply with instructions.
• Poor weather conditions.
• Electrical faults.
• Failure to use guards provided.
, Health and Safety and Welfare
in Construction
• Working under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Hazards in construction
Types of hazards include the following:
Falls, falling objects, transport, electricity, manual handling,
chemicals, machinery, fire and explosions.
The list below shows the proportion of fatal accidents for each type of
accident.
Type of Accident Percenta
ge
Struck by falling objects 15%
Trapped or squashed 12%
Machinery 6%
Electricity 5%
Drowning and Asphyxiation 4%
Fire and Explosion 3%
Exposure to harmful substances 3%
Falls 24%
Transport 17%
Others 11%
It can be seen that falls and falling objects
accounted for about 40% of all fatal accidents.
in Construction
Causes of accidents in construction
Here are a few examples of what are the causes of many accidents in
the workplace:
• Excessive haste in order to get the job done.
• Lack of preparation in making the work area safe to do the work in hand.
• Taking shortcuts in order to get the job done and not observing safe working.
• Distraction by others.
• Lack of concentration due to lack of interest in the job.
• Failure to observe the health and safety rules
.
• Horseplay, acting irresponsibly, creating a danger and a hazard to yourself and
others.
• Personal protective equipment or clothing not used or worn.
• Inadequate training and supervision.
• Inadequate lighting/heating or excessive noise.
• Poor storage of materials.
• Unsafe methods of handling and lifting.
• Defective tools and equipment.
• Failure to comply with instructions.
• Poor weather conditions.
• Electrical faults.
• Failure to use guards provided.
, Health and Safety and Welfare
in Construction
• Working under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Hazards in construction
Types of hazards include the following:
Falls, falling objects, transport, electricity, manual handling,
chemicals, machinery, fire and explosions.
The list below shows the proportion of fatal accidents for each type of
accident.
Type of Accident Percenta
ge
Struck by falling objects 15%
Trapped or squashed 12%
Machinery 6%
Electricity 5%
Drowning and Asphyxiation 4%
Fire and Explosion 3%
Exposure to harmful substances 3%
Falls 24%
Transport 17%
Others 11%
It can be seen that falls and falling objects
accounted for about 40% of all fatal accidents.
