Construction industry and civil engineering - 2,110 entries found

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2009

CIS 11-0694 Jardine R.J.
Review of technical issues relating to foundations and geotechnics for offshore installations in the UKCS
Foundation design and especially pile design and analysis are currently undergoing an important stage of technical development, with new methodologies and recommendations coming into practice. This literature review contains detailed guidance on technical issues and recommendations with respect to best practices. Consideration is also given to possible monitoring and strengthening of foundations systems. The report also provides lists of relevant publications and useful references to background material and guidance on specific topics.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2009. ii, 92p. Illus. Bibl.ref.
RR_676.pdf [in English]

CIS 11-0485 Cheng A.S., Chan E.P.
The effect of individual job coaching and use of health threat in a job-specific occupational health education program on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal back injury
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of individual job coaching and use of health threat in a job-specific occupational health education programme in preventing work-related musculoskeletal back injuries during manual materials handling in construction labourers. Two hundred five Hong Kong labourers were recruited by 3-stage cluster sampling process and randomly assigned to receive different education programmes on manual materials handling. The control group was given a conventional programme, whereas the experimental group received a job-specific programme. A statistically-significant group difference was found in the knowledge and practical skills on manual materials handling after training. Furthermore, the results from 1-year cumulative incidence revealed a significantly lesser number of first-time reports of work-related musculoskeletal back injuries in the experimental group. These results indicate that job-specific education is an effective preventive strategy for work-related musculoskeletal back injury.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dec. 2009, Vol.51, No.12, p.1413-1421. 62 ref.

CIS 10-0809 Crépy M.N.
Occupational skin diseases among painters
Dermatoses professionnelles chez les peintres [in French]
Painters are exposed to a wide variety of products, including scouring agents, detergents, solvents, biocides, resin monomers and their hardening agents. Occupational skin diseases observed among painters essentially consist of irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. Contents of this information sheet on occupational skin diseases among building contractor painters: composition of products and exposures; aetiology; epidemiology; diagnosis in occupational settings; diagnosis in specialized medical institutions; prognosis; prevention; compensation.
Documents pour le médecin du travail, 3rd quarter 2008, No.115, p.413-426. Illus. 67 ref.
TA_79.pdf [in French]

CIS 10-0856 Jolly H., Féron L.
Chemical hazards: Improved evaluation in view of substitution
Risques chimiques: mieux évaluer pour substituer [in French]
This collection of articles focuses on the control of exposure to chemicals in the construction industry in which two out of three workers are concerned. Topics addressed: health hazards; welding fumes; bitumen; hazard evaluation; REACH regulations; Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals; substitution; occupational safety and health efforts of a small painting contractor in France.
Prévention BTP, June 2009, No.119, p.30-41. Illus.

CIS 10-0667 Jolly H.
Occupational cancers: Their prevention in the construction sector
Cancers professionnels: les prévenir dans le BTP [in French]
This article reviews the main substances that may cause the incidence of occupational cancer among workers of the construction sector: asbestos; welding fumes; wood dust; paints, solvents and pigments. It also addresses the issues of labeling, the traceability of occupational exposures, the recognition of occupational cancers and post-employment medical supervision.
Prévention BTP, 2009, No.123, p.48-51. Illus. 1 ref.

CIS 10-0571 Breslin P.
National harmonisation: designers' duties of care in the Australian building and construction industry
Poor design and planning are contributing factors in a significant number of deaths and injuries in the Australian building and construction industry. This article examines the economic and social costs of failing to eliminate hazards at the design stage of a construction project. It provides an overview of the design profession's statutory duties when designing a building or structure under the current OSH legislative frameworks. It also discusses whether national harmonization of OSH legislation will improve performance in Australia.
Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, Dec. 2009, Vol.25, No.6, p.495-504. 55 ref.

CIS 10-0465 Bahn S., Barratt-Pugh L.
What's a life worth? The value placed on safety
This study examines the safety values of managers in the civil construction sector in Western Australia and their impact on workplace safety. Following a literature review of the topic, a survey was taken between 2005 and 2007 among managers, allowing a safety values inventory to be developed identifying the importance placed on specific values according to company size. The safety values included ensuring safe workplaces, providing training, taking care of colleagues, conducting hazard evaluations and being conscious of the responsibility for the safety and health of all persons working on the site. Findings are discussed.
Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, Oct. 2009. Vol.25, No.5, p.393-403. Illus. 38 ref.

CIS 10-0462 Ferguson A.
Trade unions and OHS
This article discusses the role of Australia's largest construction sector union in promoting OSH. The union advocates improved working conditions through better consultation, workplace inspections, improved cooperation with employer groups and raised community awareness.
Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, Aug. 2009. Vol.25, No.4, p.305-318. 42 ref.

CIS 10-0460 Rodríguez C.A.
The ILO conventions on occupational safety and health: An opportunity to improve working conditions and work environments
Los convenios de la OIT sobre seguridad y salud en el trabajo: una oportunidad para mejorar las condiciones y el medio ambiente de trabajo [in Spanish]
The purpose of this publication is to explain and promote ILO international labour standards for occupational safety and health in Latin America. It examines various ILO conventions on different subjects of interest. The history of each convention is reviewed, its contents discussed, and the situation concerning its application in various Latin American countries is examined. A CD-ROM which contains the publication in PDF format, as well as the texts of the conventions and of all the documents cited, is included.
Publications of the International Training Centre of the ILO, Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10, 10127 Torino, Italy, 2009. 337p. + CD-ROM .
Los_convenios_de_la_OIT.pdf [in Spanish]

CIS 10-0170 Ensinger W.
Specialized underground engineering in Europe - Analysis of accidents having occurred between 1998 and 2008
Spezialtiefbau in Europa - Analyse des Unfallgeschehens in den Jahren 1998 bis 2008 [in German]
This article analyses approximately 4000 accidents having occurred between 1998 and 2008 in specialized underground engineering work in 13 European countries, on the basis of accident reports. The results are expressed by sector of activity, age group, hour of day, day of the week, shift duration, type of job and accident cause. Data on the location of injury and the severity rate by age group are also presented.
Tiefbau, Apr. 2009, Vol.121, No.4, p.220-224. Illus.

CIS 10-0102 Dufresne A., Drolet D., Perrault G., Lemay F., Viau S., Dion C.
Relationship between the materials' asbestos content and the fibre concentration in the ambient air during dismantling work
Relation entre la teneur en amiante dans les matériaux et la concentration de fibres dans l'air ambiant lors de travaux de démantèlement [in French]
The dismantling of asbestos-containing materials generates significant concentrations of fibres, including in the workers' breathing zones. The objective of this study was to document the sources of fibre emissions in air when carrying out specific tasks, by analyzing material and air samples collected during the various phases of dismantling work. Based on the findings, several recommendations are made concerning the sampling of workers' breathing atmospheres, as per the requirements of Quebec regulations.
Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2010. vii, 71p. Illus. 70 ref. Price: CAD 10.50. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge.
http://www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/R-600.pdf [in French]

CIS 10-0054 Barruyer C.
Safety and health of expatriates: A major issue
Santé et sécurité des expatriés: un enjeu majeur [in French]
This article gives an overview of the safety and health risks faced by construction industry personnel involved in supervising construction sites abroad. The policy adopted by a major French cement producer having subsidiaries in several African countries is presented in a box.
Prévention BTP, Mar. 2009, No.116, p.51-52. Illus.

CIS 09-1393 Occupational well-being of construction site foremen. Findings of a survey in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region
Le bien-être au travail chez les conducteurs de travaux. Résultats d'une action menée en Languedoc-Roussillon [in French]
Although the taking into account of psychosocial hazards is a difficult issue, it does appear an attractive option for the case of middle management personnel: such an exercise enables anticipating the compounding effect of prevention measures, especially for risks conventionally confronted by operators whose work is organized by these middle managers. This article describes an approach set up for building and civil engineering general foremen, stemming from the so-called wellbeing approach developed at INRS. An action was developed based on a health/well-being questionnaire designed for integration into healthcare service routine activity. This effectively provided data on group health and organizational aspects. These data were subsequently exploited within a group discussion framework, in this case involving health services representatives and prevention professionals of the sector at the regional level.
Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 3rd Quarter 2009, No.216, p.41-51. Illus. 13 ref.
http://www.hst.fr/inrs-pub/inrs01.nsf/IntranetObject-accesParReference/ND%202315/$File/ND2315.pdf [in French]

CIS 09-1333 Gaul M.
Asbestos in rehabilitation and demolition operations - Identifying asbestos: The weak link
L'amiante dans les opérations de réhabilitation et de démolition. Repérage amiante: le maillon faible [in French]
Rehabilitation and demolition are very high risk operations given the potential presence of asbestos in numerous materials and products, and thus require a comprehensive search for any asbestos-containing products and materials concerned by the work prior to its being undertaken. In the Manche Department in northwest France, the labour inspectorate has been carrying out a targeted campaign since 2005 to check the reliability of asbestos identification reports. The results are particularly worrying in that an absence, unsuitability or poor quality of identification was highlighted in 70 to 80 % of the cases. They confirm that asbestos identification currently constitutes the weakest link of on-site asbestos treatment. The article presents the various types of asbestos identification and how they are adapted to rehabilitation and demolition operations. It then goes on to examine the statistical study undertaken in 2005 and 2006 in the Manche Department, and includes practical examples.
Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail, 3rd Quarter 2009, No.216, p.3-10. Illus. 12 ref.
http://www.hst.fr/inrs-pub/inrs01.nsf/IntranetObject-accesParReference/ND%202311/$File/ND2311.pdf [in French]

CIS 09-1204 Waché O.
Europe: Raising the level of occupational safety and health
Europe: la prévention tirée vers le haut [in French]
This feature article analyses country-to-country differences between European Union Member States with respect to occupational safety and health in the construction industry, together with efforts undertaken in view of gradually attaining harmonization. Topics addressed: statistics of occupational accident and disease fatalities in Europe; European campaign "Healthy workplaces. Good for you. Good for business"; interview of the representative of the European confederation of building trades; regulations and legal aspects.
Prévention BTP, Oct. 2009, No.122, p.38-47. Illus. 2 ref.

CIS 09-1093 Jolly H.
Nanomaterials: what health hazards?
Nanomatériaux: quels risques sanitaires? [in French]
Nanotechnologies are already widely used in the construction industry and some enterprises have ambitious plans to develop nanoparticle-based paints and varnishes or to incorporate carbon nanotubes into concrete mixes. Given the uncertainties surrounding their toxicity, nanoparticles should be considered as potentially dangerous and the precautionary principle should apply. The working group of the French Agency for sanitary health of the work environment (Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l'environnement et du travail - Afsset) has published "nanosafety" recommendations which emphasize substitution, followed by collective protection and finally personal protection.
Prévention BTP, Sep. 2009, No.121, p.40-42. Illus.

CIS 09-1078 Díaz Aramburu C., de la Orden Rivera M.V., de Vicente Abad M.A., González Través C.
Trends in occupational accidents in construction from 2003 to 2007
Evolución de la siniestralidad laboral en la construcción en el período 2003-2007 [in Spanish]
Construction is among the sectors with the highest rate of accidents in Spain. This article summarizes the main findings of a survey of the construction sector undertaken by the INSHT. It analyses accidents having occurred in 2007, together with trends in accidents from 2003 to 2007. A gradual decline in the rate of accidents can be observed during this period.
Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo, July 2009, No.53, p.37-47. Illus. 5 ref.

CIS 09-1125 Young-Corbett D.E., Nussbaum M.A.
Dust control technology usage patterns in the drywall finishing industry
A telephone survey was conducted among 264 enterprises to quantify the usage rates of dust control technology in the drywall finishing sector and explore employers' perceptions of risk. Responses were analyzed using content analysis procedures. Firm owners rated the risk of dust to productivity and customer satisfaction as low-moderate. Half rated the dust as having some impact on worker health, with higher impacts indicated by owners of small firms. Among the available control technologies, respirators were used most frequently. Several barriers to implementation of more effective control technologies were identified and should be addressed to improve dust control in this sector.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, June 2009, Vol.6, No.6, p.315-323. Illus. 18 ref.

CIS 09-1074 Carmody M., Winder C.
Use of personal protective equipment in the wet cement trades in the NSW construction industry
This article presents observational data regarding the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by 612 workers observed across 84 residential construction sites throughout the Greater Sydney, Australia, area during the 18 months leading up to the Sydney Olympic Games. Bricklayers, floorlayers, renderers and concreters demonstrated a greater than 60% level of compliance in the wearing of PPE. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, June 2009, Vol.25, No.3, p.197-208. Illus. 23 ref.

CIS 09-1148 Gilliver M., Williams W.
Noise exposure and the construction industry
This study looked at the perceptions of and attitudes to noise exposure reduction at several large construction sites in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 98 workers to identify what is currently being done and what could be improved. Although workers generally demonstrated good awareness of OHS and noise-related issues, knowledge of the problem does not necessarily translate into effective behaviour change. Workers' behaviour was explored with respect to the Health Belief Model, and suggestions are made on how to build on an existing safety culture to further reduce noise exposure.
Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, June 2009, Vol.25, No.3, p.187-196. 19 ref.

CIS 09-854 Im H.J., Kwon Y.J., Kim S.G., Kim Y.K., Ju Y.S., Lee H.P.
The characteristics of fatal occupational injuries in Korea's construction industry, 1997-2004
This study compared the characteristics of the fatal occupational accidents in the Korean construction sector with those of other sectors. There were 10,276 fatal occupational injury victims in Korea from 1997 to 2004. There were 4333 fatalities (42.2%) in the construction sector. The one-year mortality risk was higher (23.7/100,000 workers) than in non-construction industries (10.4). Falling was the most frequent (52.7%) cause of fatal injuries. In addition, deaths due to structural collapse and electric shock were significantly higher than in other industries. Other findings are discussed.
Safety Science, Oct. 2009, Vol.47, No.8, p.1159-1162. 29 ref.

CIS 09-952 Kramer D., Bigelow P., Vi P., Garritano E., Carlan N., Wells R.
Spreading good ideas: A case study of the adoption of an innovation in the construction sector
A health and safety association collaborated with two research centres to examine the dissemination of knowledge of an ergonomic intervention by opinion leaders in the construction sector. The intervention was a hydraulic ladder lift that aided in the loading and unloading of ladders off van roofs. Thirteen companies, with five to 900 employees, were involved. The van operators informed workmates not employed by their companies but who worked on the same site as them about the intervention. The opinion leaders informed decision makers within their companies which led to commitments to purchase similar units. They also gave presentations at prearranged health and safety meetings, where attendees indicated that they thought the intervention sounded like a good idea. In this way, knowledge of the innovation reached at least 32 more companies and potentially several thousand other employees. The study showed the potential for workplace change to be exponential.
Applied Ergonomics, Sep. 2009, Vol.40, No.5, p.826-832. Illus. 30 ref.

CIS 09-853 Waché O.
Induction training of new workers
L'accueil de nouveaux collaborateurs [in French]
Topics addressed in this collection of articles on the prevention of occupational hazards among newly-hired workers in the construction industry: summary of accident statistics highlighting the increased risks among newly-hired workers, in particular young workers; proposals for a successful induction programme; set of tools for safety and health training of newly-hired workers developed by the French professional body for safety and health in the construction sector (OPPBTP).
Prévention BTP, July-Aug. 2009, No.120, p.30-39. Illus.

CIS 09-696 Guérit G.
Work at height - Some improvements, yet...
Travaux en hauteur: des progrès, mais... [in French]
Falls from heights continue to be one of the main causes of fatal accidents in the construction industry. This collection of articles on the prevention of falls from heights addresses the following issues: causes of accidents; French regulations; scaffolds; safety by design.
Prévention BTP, Jan. 2009, No.114, p.38-47. Illus.

CIS 09-601 Richez J.P., Larcher C., Ravallec C.
Future construction sites - Building occupational safety and health on common ground
Chantiers de demain - Bâtir la prévention sur un socle de mesures communes [in French]
Topics addressed in this collection of articles on safety on construction sites: design of safer construction sites; description of the INRS mission on construction site safety; selection of vehicle-pedestrian anti-collision detectors; safety information sheet system developed by a concrete building contractor; scaffolds that can be safely erected and dismantled; inherently safe platforms; tool for the lifting and positioning of carpentry beams; INRS multimedia training course on construction site safety; taking safety into account in calls for tenders.
Travail et sécurité, Apr. 2009, No.694, p.24-41. Illus.
http://www.travail-et-securite.fr/ArchivesTS/ArchivesTS.nsf/(allDocParRef)/TS694page24_1/$File/TS694page24.pdf?OpenElement [in French]

CIS 09-623 Morelli P.
Construction equipment: Higher tech
Matériel de chantier: plus haute la technologie [in French]
Topics addressed in this collection of articles on new technologies presented at an exhibition on construction equipment: alarms; cameras for improving the field of vision; sensors for detecting the proximity of overhead electric lines; reduction of noise of earthmoving equipment; limitation of vibrations.
Prévention BTP, Apr. 2009, No.117, p.38-47. Illus.

CIS 09-704
Health and Safety Executive
Protecting the public - Your next move
Members of the public continue to be killed or seriously injured from construction activity in accidents which could have been prevented. This guidance is aimed at all parties involved in the construction sector, including the principal contractor, the client and the designer. It contains practical advice on how to minimize the risks to the public. This second edition has been updated in light of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. Contents: what the law says; site perimeter and other boundaries; developing authorization procedures; specific hazards, risks and their control; vulnerable groups and premises which require special attention. An appendix outlines an approach for identifying and analyzing hazards on construction sites. Replaces CIS 97-790.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2nd ed., Mar. 2009. vi, 29p. Illus. 20 ref. Price: GBP 9.95.

CIS 09-349 Cuéllar Sastoque C.A., Hernández Ramírez A.
Safety during excavation work and work in confined spaces in the construction of road infrastructures in Bogota
Trabajo seguro en excavaciones mecánicas y espacios confinados en obras de infraestructura vial en Bogotá [in Spanish]
This article describes a project aimed at designing and validating a manual of safe procedures for excavation work and work in confined spaces during road work in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Following a literature survey, the study involved a descriptive investigation of the safety characteristics in mechanical excavations and confined spaces of six works by means of observations, check lists and interviews. The resulting manual was submitted for review to a group of experts who proposed several improvements.
Protección y seguridad, Jan.-Feb. 2009, Vol.55, No.323, p.58-68. Illus. 26 ref.

CIS 09-447 Technical regulations for safe work at height
Reglamento técnico de trabajo seguro en alturas [in Spanish]
This article describes the Columbian technical regulations for safe work at height. Contents: definitions; responsibilities of employers; obligations of workers; qualifications; minimum requirements for the prevention and protection against falls; minimum requirements protective equipment against falls; personal protective equipment for work at height; minimum requirements for access systems for work at height; guidelines for the safe use of access systems for work at height; rescue; abseiling; vigilance, enforcement of regulations and sanctions.
Protección y seguridad, Jan.-Feb. 2009, Vol.55, No.323, p.26-44. Illus. 1 ref.

CIS 09-421 Johannes Geier J., Lessmann H., Reinecke S.
Occupational airborne allergic contact dermatitis in a concrete repair worker
This article describes a case of contact dermatitis in a 31-year-old bricklayer involved in the repair of concrete structures and exposed daily to epoxy systems. Despite the use of personal protective equipment including goggles, a face mask and nitrile gloves, he developed a dermatitis on the forearms, and later an eczema on the face which were diagnosed as a work-related airborne dermatitis. Patch tests resulted in positive reactions to several epoxy systems. The dermatitis ceased within weeks after he stopped working in the construction industry.
Contact Dermatitis, Jan. 2009, Vol.60, No.1, p.50-51. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 09-446 Lan A., Daigle R.
Development and validation of a method for evaluating temporary wooden guardrails built and installed on construction sites
Wooden guardrails are usually installed on construction sites to protect workers against falls. It is however extremely difficult to verify whether they are safe and comply with existing regulations. The present study describes the development and validation of an evaluation method and a test protocol for verifying whether these guardrails are safe and meet the requirements of the Quebec Safety Code for the construction industry in order to ensure that workers have adequate fall protection. It was found that some guardrails did not comply with the requirements. The evaluation method and test protocol are reproducible and easily applicable on construction sites and can easily be adapted to international regulations.
Safety Science, Feb. 2009, Vol.47, No.2, p.215-226. Illus. 25 ref.

CIS 08-1455 The safe use of vehicles on construction sites: A guide for clients, designers, contractors, managers and workers involved with construction transport
Guidance to the avoidance of traffic-related accidents on contruction sites. Contents: relevant legislation in the UK; safe workplaces (planning, separation of pedestrians and vehicles, loading and storage areas, public protection); safe vehicles; safe driving and work practices; managing construction transport. In appendices: construction vehicle accident statistics; safety legislation relating to vehicle construction; risk assessment and safety management. Previous edition: CIS 99-1000.
HSE Books, P.O.Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, 2009. 30p. Illus. 26 ref. Price: GBP 9.95.

2008

CIS 11-0568 Lunt L., Bates S., Bennett V., Hopkinson J.
Health and Safety Executive
Behaviour change and worker engagement practices within the construction sector
Behaviour change and worker engagement (BCWE) practices were qualitatively investigated in a sample of United Kingdom construction contractors and consultants. These were compared with the contemporary scientific evidence for BCWE. Practices demonstrated an overall shift towards an integrated approach to behaviour change, tackling the physical, social work environment and individual determinants of risk taking behaviour. Where safety culture is least mature, emphasis is upon installing effective safety management systems, before targeting safety leadership and culture and finally operatives' behaviour on more mature projects. By tackling root causes of accidents in this way, programmes should be able to overcome a tendency that traditional behavioural safety programs have in being too symptomatic. Strategies for managing the workforce transience that characterizes the industry included managing BCWE project by project, "influencing the influencer" and including sub-contractors in BCWE training.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2008. xiii, 271p. Illus. 114 ref.
RR_660.pdf [in English]

CIS 11-0247 Williamson J., Daniels C.
Health and Safety Executive
Third party major accident hazard pipeline (MAHP) infringement : A case study
Third party damage to underground services of all types continues to be a source of danger and financial loss to workers, members of the public, utility companies and contractors. When the underground service is a Major Accident Hazard Pipeline (MAHP) such as a high-pressure gas main or a petrochemical pipeline then the consequences of a rupture can be devastating to people and the environment. This report highlights the underlying issues that contributed to a third party MAHP infringement in February 2007, detailing the factors that contributed to that incident.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2008. x, 37p. Illus. 12 ref.
RR640.pdf [in English]

CIS 11-0122 Kaskutas V.K., Dale A.M., Lipscomb H.J., Evanoff B.A.
Development of the St. Louis audit of fall risks at residential construction sites
This article describes the development and pilot of a worksite audit system to assess fall prevention safety practices on residential construction sites. The audit was tested at sixteen residential construction sites in the city of St. Louis, United States, showing excellent inter-rater reliability. Results suggest that the audit has good face and content validity and is a reliable instrument for measuring fall safety risks at residential construction sites. It is practical, easy, and safe to administer, making it a potentially useful instrument for field research as well as regular safety monitoring by foremen and crew.
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 4th quarter 2008, Vol.14, No.4, p.243-249. Illus. 24 ref.

CIS 10-0831 Gottesfeld P., Nicas M., Kephart J.W., Balakrishnan K., Rinehart R.
Reduction of respirable silica following the introduction of water spray applications in Indian stone crusher mills
Respirable crystalline silica dust generated during stone crushing operations has been linked to chronic lung disease and increased risk of tuberculosis. In India, most stone crushing mills operate without any dust control or containment systems. This investigation in an Indian district demonstrated a reduction in respirable particulate mass following the application of a fine mist of water. Average respirable quartz and cristobalite levels declined 82% and 69%, respectively, after water spray controls were installed. This finding suggests that relatively inexpensive modifications that are available in the local market can be effective at reducing silica exposures. Although average exposure levels, particularly during the dry season, may exceed the permissible exposure limit for silica, the overall reductions observed were substantial. Widespread adoption of this simple control technology by stone crushers in India could have a positive public health impact.
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2nd quarter 2008, Vol. 14, No.2, p.94-103. Illus. 21 ref.
Reduction_ of_respirable_silica.pdf [in English]

CIS 10-0722 Lan A., Daigle R., LeBoeuf D., Chaallal O.
Survey of shoring and shielding systems for excavations and trenches
Recensement des systèmes d'étançonnement et de blindage pour les excavations et les tranchées [in French]
Designing shoring and shielding systems that effectively meet the needs of municipalities is a major challenge. In consulting the information supplied by the manufacturer, it is not easy to find or adapt an existing system. Several factors are involved: the diversity of the types of work, the significance of the operating and financial constraints, the complexity of the parameters of each case, etc. This study identifies and catalogues 26 prefabricated systems offered on the market and classifies them into four categories. It presents a detailed description of each, mainly indicating its geometric properties, advantages and disadvantages. The researchers also developed a grid to facilitate the selection of a shoring and shielding system that better meets the user's requirements. The statistics included in their report provide an overview of the use of these systems in different Quebec cities. See also ISN 111145.
Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2008. ix, 84p. Illus. 11 ref. Price: CAD 11.55. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge.
Rapport_R-583.pdf [in French]

CIS 10-0721 Lan A., Daigle R., LeBoeuf D., Chaallal O.
Reduction of the stand-off distance at the top of trenches shored by a pipe made of galvanized corrugated steel sheet
Réduction de la distance de garde en tête des excavations étançonnées par un tuyau en tôle d'acier ondulé galvanisé (TTAOG) [in French]
The Safety Code for the construction industry imposes a stand-off distance at the top of excavations for depositing materials and for the movement of machines, which is particularly restrictive in an urban environment. The objective of this study was to determine whether a pipe made of galvanized corrugated steel sheet used as temporary shoring would allow this distance to be reduced in the presence of machinery and heavy vehicles. The report indicates that on-site and laboratory measurements have shown that this can be done safely, due to the robustness of the galvanized corrugated steel sheet pipe. The measurements also showed that the mechanical response of tubular shoring is complex, which raises questions about the interaction between the ground and the structure that cannot be explained by classical theories. The results of the measurements are published in a separate annex. See also ISN 11146.
Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2008. xv, 66p. Illus. 19 ref. Price: CAD 10.50 (report); vi, 84p. Illus. Price: CAD 12.60 (annexe). Downloadable versions (PDF format) free of charge.
Rapport_R-582.pdf [in French]
Annexe_RA-582.pdf [in French]

CIS 10-0274 National Code of Practice for precast, tilt-up and concrete elements in building construction
The National Code provides practical guidance for employers and employees on ways to effectively manage the risks associated with using tilt-up and precast concrete elements in building construction. Contents: introduction; duty holder responsibilities; risk management; design considerations; fabrication and casting; handling, storage and transport; erection process.
Safe Work Australia, GPO Box 641, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia, 2008. 89p. Illus.
http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Documents/245/CodeOfPractice_PrecastTiltUpandConcreteElementsBuildingConstruction_2008_PDF.pdf [in English]

CIS 09-1096 Seldén A.I., Lundholm C., Johansson N., Wingfors H.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), thyroid hormones and cytokines in construction workers removing old elastic sealants
The objective of this study was to estimate the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) level among workers specialized in PCB abatement in buildings and to measure possible effects of PCBs on their thyroid function and immune system. Thirty six workers removing old elastic sealants containing PCBs and 33 control construction workers unexposed to PCBs provided blood samples. The PCB exposed group was reinvestigated after 10 months for a trend assessment. The concentrations of PCB congeners from the exposed group were twice those of controls (580 vs. 260 ng/g lipid). No statistically significant increase in overall PCB levels was observed in the abatement workers at follow-up and some congeners even declined, suggesting that the high concentrations were essentially due to historical exposures. Thyroid function was not associated with PCB exposure. Other findings are discussed.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Oct. 2008, Vol.82, No.1, p.99-106. 29 ref.

CIS 09-1077 Katsakiori P., Manatakis E., Goutsos S., Athanassiou G.
Factors attributed to fatal occupational accidents in a period of 5 years preceding the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
The objective of this study was to determine the causes of occupational fatalities in the Greater Athens region of Greece during the five years preceding the 2004 Olympic Games. Questionnaires were completed by labour inspectors and were analyzed with principal component analysis. The results showed that most accidents occurred in the construction industry due to large-scale civil works. Poor work practices arising from lack of orientation and job training, performance pressure and workers' inexperience were revealed by the questionnaire as the most common factors attributed to fatalities. These findings help to identify areas where prevention efforts should be directed to effectively manage safety in Greece.
International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2008, Vol.14, No.3, p.285-292. Illus. 24 ref.

CIS 09-871 Safety and health in construction - Code of practice
Segurança e saúde na construção: Código de boas práticas da OIT [in Portuguese]
The objective of this code (for the 1992 original, see CIS 92-894) is to provide practical guidance on a legal, administrative, technical and educational framework for safety and health in construction. It applies to building activities, civil engineering, erection and dismantling of prefabricated buildings and structures, manufacturing and erection of oil rigs and of offshore installations while under construction on shore. Aspects covered: general duties of workers and employers; safety of workplaces; scaffolds and ladders; lifting appliances and gear; transport and earthmoving equipment; machinery and equipment; work at heights, including roof work; excavations; work in compressed air; concrete work; pile-driving; work over water; electricity; explosives; health hazards and first aid; protective equipment; welfare; information and training; reporting of accidents and diseases.
Escritório da OIT em Lisboa, Rua Viriato, 7 - 7^o e 8^o andares, 1050-233 Lisboa, Portugal, 2008. x, 150p. Illus. 94 ref.
http://www.ilo.org/public/portugue/region/eurpro/lisbon/pdf/seguranca_saude.pdf [in Portuguese]

CIS 09-753 Safety, health and welfare on construction sites - A training manual
Higiene, segurança e saúde em estaleiros de construção - Manual de formação [in Portuguese]
This training manual is the Portuguese-language translation of the English-language manual published in 1995 and analysed as CIS 95-473. It is aimed essentially at readers in developing countries. Contents: safety organization and management; site planning and layout; excavations; scaffolding; ladders; hazardous processes (roof work, steel erection, work over water, demolition, confined spaces, piling); vehicles; movement of materials; working positions, tools and equipment, the working environment (hazardous substances, noise and vibration, exposure to heat and cold); personal protective equipment; welfare facilities.
Escritório da OIT em Lisboa, Rua Viriato, 7 - 7^o e 8^o andares,1050-233 Lisboa, Portugal, 2008. x, 127p. Illus.
http://www.ilo.org/public/portugue/region/eurpro/lisbon/pdf/higiene_manual.pdf [in Portuguese]

CIS 09-699 Lipscomb H.J., Nolan J., Patterson D., Dement J.M.
Prevention of traumatic nail gun injuries in apprentice carpenters: Use of population-based measures to monitor intervention effectiveness
Nail gun injuries were evaluated over three years among carpenters enrolled in two apprenticeship programs in the Midwest (2.3 million work hours observed) following initiation of training and a voluntary ANSI standard calling for safer sequential triggers. Injury rates, based on hours of tool use, were calculated yearly. Rates and adjusted rate ratios were calculated with Poisson regression. Attributable risk percent and population-attributable risk were calculated yearly for independent risk factors of injury including lack of training in tool use and type of trigger mechanism on tools being used. As apprentices received training and safer trigger mechanisms became more widespread, injury rates decreased significantly (31%). While school training and hands-on mentoring were both important, injury rates were lowest among apprentices who received both.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Oct. 2008, Vol.51, No.10, p.719-727. Illus. 28 ref.

CIS 09-550 Durcy M., Féron L.
MSDs: Work organization is implicated
TMS: l'organisation du travail en cause [in French]
Topics addressed in this collection of articles on the prevention of musculoskeletal diseases in the construction sector: key statistics; interviews of occupational physicians; good ergonomic and organizational work practices aimed at masons, carpenters, electricians and painters.
Prévention BTP, Nov. 2008, No.112, p.36-46. Illus.

CIS 09-695 Féron L.
Maintenance: Required thinking before starting work
Maintenance: une réflexion nécessaire avant les travaux [in French]
The taking into account of future maintenance interventions during the design phase of a construction project enhances the safety of the personnel involved, provided that the design is based on the consultation of all parties. This feature presents the document on future maintenance operations which is required by law in France, together with several practical cases and lessons learned, as reported by several enterprises and safety experts.
Prévention BTP, Dec. 2008, No.113, p.38-47. Illus.

CIS 09-717 Bates G.P., Schneider J.
Hydration status and physiological workload of UAE construction workers: A prospective longitudinal observational study
The objective of the study was to investigate the physiological responses of construction workers under thermally stressful environments in the United Arab Emirates using Thermal Work Limit (TWL) as a method of environmental risk assessment. Body temperature, fluid intake and urine specific gravity were recorded, and continuous heart rate monitoring was used to assess fatigue. Subjects were monitored over three consecutive shifts. TWL and WBGT were used to assess the thermal stress. The results indicated that the workers were not physiologically challenged despite fluctuating harsh environmental conditions. Core body temperatures were not elevated suggesting satisfactory thermoregulation. The data demonstrate that people can work, without adverse physiological effects in hot conditions if they are provided with the appropriate fluids and are allowed to self-pace.
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Sep. 2008, Vol.3, No.21, 10p. Illus. 29 ref.
http://www.occup-med.com/content/pdf/1745-6673-3-21.pdf [in English]

CIS 09-506 Schaper R.
Sagrada Familia - Under construction for 125 years: Antoni Gaudí's unique monument in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia - Seit 125 Jahren im Bau: Antoni Gaudís einzigartiges Monument in Barcelona [in German]
Construction of the Sagrada Familia cathedral, the unfinished work of Antoni Gaudi, continues. There are currently 140 workers on the construction site. The monument being open to the public, it is also important to ensure the safety of visitors. Two safety engineers are assigned the task of inspecting the construction site each week.
BG Bau aktuell, 2008, No.4, p.16-19. Illus.

CIS 09-600 Kaiser J., Khodawandi D.
Application of development processes used in the automotive industry to the construction sector
Applikation der Automobilentwicklungsprozesse in der Bauwirtschaft [in German]
This article presents the findings of a research project aimed at transposing the processes used in the automotive industry to the construction sector. It describes lean construction together with the tools required for its implementation.
Tiefbau, Dec. 2008, Vol.120, No.12, p.757-761. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 09-505 Papendick R.
To understand the present, study the past
Wenn du die Gegenwart verstehen willst, studiere die Vergangenheit [in German]
Based on archeological documents, this article presents a feasibility study for the construction of a pyramid similar to that of Cheops. It discusses statics, solidity and scaffolding, the number of cranes and their positioning to replace the ramps used in ancient times for loading the stones, construction costs, required manpower and construction time. The mystery surrounding the construction of the Egyptian pyramids remains nonetheless total.
Tiefbau, Dec. 2008, Vol.120, No.12, p.722-730. Illus. 9 ref.

CIS 09-684 Phan Chan The E.
Falls on the level at work
Les accidents de plain-pied au travail [in French]
Review article on the prevention of falls on the level. Topics addressed: definition of falls on the level accidents according to INRS; key figures on accidents having occurred in France; physiology of walking and balance; risk factors of loss of balance; systemic aspects of fall on the level accidents; preventive measures (housekeeping, communication ways, lighting, state of surfaces, maintenance of flooring, safety shoes, personal hygiene, state of health).
Préventique-Sécurité, Nov.-Déc. 2008, No.102, p.70-74. Illus.

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