Manual handling of highway kerbs—focus group findings

The manual handling of concrete highway kerbs remains commonplace in the construction industry despite obvious risks to operatives. A study was commissioned to find out why the operation still includes manual handling, what alternatives exist and how the organisation of the work affects exposure to risk. Although this study involved a literature review and visits to examine manufacture, supply and installation of kerbs, the focus groups which were held with industry professionals to discuss manufacture, installation methods, design and training are reported here. Related published research was very limited and the visits confirmed manual handling to be widespread for installation but eliminated or controlled in other areas of the process. Risks to health of construction workers remained as they were not considered in the design of the product, design of the work or identified and controlled through risk assessments. Focus group findings highlighted manufacturer’s myopia, lack of installation knowledge of designers and shortfalls in training of installation work. Recommendations from the research are that a pro-active approach to health needs to be adopted by the manufacturers of heavy construction products. Designers of work 2 requiring the use of heavy products need to have more experience of site operations, and training of manual handling awareness should be performed at all levels in construction organisations

Managing the unknown; the health risks of nanomaterials in the built environment

The application of nanomaterials, containing particles 1000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, is increasing but uncertainties persist regarding their potential health effects. An ongoing study to identify where nanomaterials are used in construction and to assess the impact of demolition processes on particle release has identified difficulties which arise when dealing with the unknown: assessing, and managing the risks of these, and other, new materials. The widespread use of materials whose risks are inadequately understood is clearly unsatisfactory. However, the timing of a detailed health evaluation for a new product or process is not straightforward - a focus on these aspects too early in a developmental lifecycle may derail potentially promising innovations. It is also necessary to carefully balance benefit and risk. A product with moderate risk potential may be tolerated provided there are significant benefits, and adequate control measures are available. Questions also arise regarding who should carry out and fund health risk assessments for new materials. Manufacturers clearly have responsibilities, but there are also advantages in centrally funded, objective assessment. Particular complications arise when assessing the health risks for nanomaterials in view of their wide variability and the lack of adequate exposure data. There is no requirement to label nano-enabled building materials. This makes it difficult to assess the extent of their usage, and hence also to determine the health risks to those working with them, or exposed to them due to demolition or recycling at the end of the product or building life. Manufacturers, researchers, governments and wider society share responsibility for addressing these challenges. However, there are steps which constructors can take in the interim to minimise the impact on those working with these uncertainties

How can we prevent construction accidents? Outcomes from a stakeholder consultation: societal and industry-wide influences

This paper presents some of the findings from a time-limited, independent research project that reviewed evidence about underlying causes of construction accidents and levers within and beyond health & safety systems to make further improvements. The triangulated method incorporated national and international expert consultations with a total of 72 participants from across the industry, plus a literature review. An initial ‘sounding out’ exercise was also undertaken to gather feedback on the practical strategies developed during the consultation process. Perspectives on the underlying causes identified: broader societal and industry-wide influences (macro); project and process factors (mezzo); and worker/supervisor/workplace causes (micro). A number of improvement strategies were suggested, some of which have been summarised in this paper

Managing the unknown: addressing the potential health risks of nanomaterials in the built environment

Nanomaterials offer significant potential for high performing new products in the built environment and elsewhere. However, there are uncertainties regarding their potential adverse health effects and the extent to which they are currently used. A desk study and interviews with those working across the construction, demolition and product manufacture sectors (n=59) identified the current state of knowledge regarding nanomaterial use within the built environment. Some nanomaterials are potentially toxic, particularly those based on fibres; others are much less problematic but the evidence base is incomplete. Very little is known regarding the potential for exposure for those working with nano-enabled construction materials. Identifying which construction products contain nanomaterials, and which nanomaterials these might be, is very difficult due to inadequate labelling by product manufacturers. Consequently, those working with nano-enabled products typically have very limited knowledge or awareness of this. Further research is required regarding the toxicology of nanomaterials and the potential for exposure during construction and demolition. Better sharing of the information which is already available is also required through the construction, demolition and manufacture / supply chains. This is likely to be important for other innovative products and processes in construction, not just those which use nanomaterials

Health, safety and welfare of migrant construction workers in the South East of England

This report summarises the findings of a research project commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)/Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors Management Board in response to the growth of the inflow of migrant workers in the construction industry in London and the South East. The aim of the research was to examine the impact on health and safety of the increasing number of migrant workers being employed on construction sites in London and the South East, and to develop evidence-based policy recommendations to enable ICE to help to inform the industry of how to safely integrate the growing numbers of migrant workers now operating in the sector

Raising awareness of the occupational health of older construction workers

Background Due to demographic, political and economic pressures, there are now real benefits to be gained from retaining older workers within the construction industry. However the health of such workers, and its consequences for continued working, needs to be more widely appreciated. Aims The aim of the research project being undertaken by the Innovative Manufacturing and Construction Research Centre (IMCRC) at Loughborough University, UK, is to identify the key health issues affecting older construction workers and, from there, develop wearable devices which will simulate these health effects and their consequential impacts on both working and home life. When worn, such devices will enable other industry members (managers, architects, equipment designers, etc) to better appreciate the challenges faced by older workers and, through this improved awareness, contribute to an attitude-shift within the industry. This paper discusses the need to raise awareness of older construction worker health; the rationale for an approach using simulation and the research undertaken to date as well as presenting analogous case studies. Methods A triangulated approach combining: a review of current knowledge in this area, worker interviews and health professional consultations is proposed. From the resultant data a specification will be developed which will detail which health conditions, and what aspects of them, are to be developed into simulation devices. The devices will developed to meet the specification as closely as is possible within technological, ethical, cost and other constraints. The intention is to then pilot the devices with key groups within the industry to confirm proof-of-concept. Results/conclusions Whilst there are no results to date, a case study demonstrating the benefits to be obtained from changing attitudes through increased awareness, which is brought about by enabling third parties to directly experience a heath condition for themselves, will be presented

Learning to adapt health and safety initiatives from mega projects: an Olympic case study

Finding new ways to improve health and safety management in construction continues to generate much interest. Despite a reduction in deaths, injuries and ill health in recent years, UK construction still has high rates of fatal and major injuries compared to other industries. One of the key concerns is the difficulty of organisational learning in construction manifested as reactive responses to health and safety issues. The Olympic Delivery Authority launched a learning legacy programme in conjunction with industry, government and academia to capture important lessons learnt in a number of areas, including health and safety. Communication has long been considered an important factor in the implementation of health and safety initiatives. Previous research has typically focused on programmes run by single organisations. The London 2012 Olympic Park construction project offered a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of safety initiatives and communication across a range of organisations working side by side. It also offered an exciting opportunity to track health and safety messages as they are communicated to the workforce. The main aim of this research project was to evaluate the range of health and safety initiatives used at the Olympic Park in terms of messages communicated to workers, workers’ awareness, attitude and behaviour, and the transfer of knowledge within and outside the Park. A semistructured inventory was used to survey the workforce (managers, supervisors and workers) using interviews and focus groups on seven Park sites. A follow-up survey was conducted after three months, at which time interviews and focus groups were also held at non-Olympic comparison sites. Data were also collected through the observation of meetings and document review. The data were analysed using template analysis in line with the communication–human information processing (C–HIP) model. The transfer of knowledge into and out of the Olympic Park, and the impact of the communication processes on workers, were key issues identified from the analysis. The results were used to produce industry recommendations that are applicable beyond the realm of a mega project. Important recommendations include, but are not limited to, the important role of the client, the need for planning and the focus on workers’ comprehension and safety behaviour. The most important recommendation was that methods used at the Olympic Park should be used on more traditional projects

Designing for safe demolition - the hazard potential of nanomaterials

When specifying products, designers should consider the health and safety of those working with the materials, either during construction or during decommissioning and demolition of a building or facility at the end of its life. The use of nanomaterials (those with at least one dimension less than 100 nm) in construction is reported to be on the increase, but it is difficult to identify exactly which products contain them; and there are uncertainties regarding their hazard potential. This paper is based on an ongoing IOSH-sponsored study to catalogue nano-enabled construction products through review of the literature, and consideration of manufacturers' data; and interviews with construction professionals to assess how widely they are used. The study is also using material characterisation techniques to identify the nanomaterials involved and assess the potential for particle release from products at end of life. The study has found wide variation in the hazard profiles of the different materials and products currently available. Some specialist concretes for example, are enhanced with silica fume which has been widely used for around 40 years and is a relatively low-risk nanomaterial. Other forms of nanosilica are used in insulation materials and surface coatings. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a nanomaterial which are hazardous in some forms. CNTs are not yet used commercially in concrete but are forecast to appear in the marketplace in a limited capacity by 2016. They are also used in very specialised surface coatings. Further information is needed to assess whether they could pose a health risk at end-of life from the combined impacts of material degradation over time and the destructive techniques commonly applied in building demolition and recycling (e.g. crushing, cutting, drilling etc)

Nanotechnology– balancing accident reduction with potential health risks in construction

Nanotechnology involves working at a sub microscopic level with particles or structures which are 1-100 nm in size – one nanometre being a billionth of a metre. Nanotechnology has the potential to reduce certain health and safety risks in the construction industry. It also offers improved material functionality and performance. However, there are unresolved concerns regarding the health risk from some nanomaterials. It is important that the adoption of these new materials does not increase the risk of occupational ill-health, described by Gibb et al (2006) as a ‘slow accident’. The IOSH-funded research on which this paper is based is assessing the use and benefits of nanomaterials in construction through literature review and interviews with industry stakeholders. The research is also exploring the potential for harm, particularly during demolition and recycling at end of life, by testing nano-enabled construction products in a laboratory environment

Wearable simulations for ill-health conditions in construction

Occupational ill-health and wellbeing is a significant challenge for workers in the civil engineering and construction sectors. The symptoms of many ill-health conditions become more severe over time and minor aches and pains in a young worker can develop into serious problems the older they get. Health and safety training has increased in recent years and site inductions are now ubiquitous. However, formal training methods seem to have little effect. Evidence-based, wearable simulations for common construction ill-health conditions have been developed from over 20 years of universitybased research. The LUSKInS simulations provide experiential learning experience for dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, noise induced hearing loss and respiratory disorders and are being trialled with young apprentices aiming to change their attitudes and behaviours