LECTURE 4: CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
• A fire plan should be established prior to
HAZARDS AND CONTROLS
DEMOLITION – Complete or partial dismantling of
a building structure by pre-planned and
controlled methods or procedures.
DEMOLITION TECHNIQUE
SEQUENTIAL – gradual reduction of height in
reverse order to its construction.
INDUCED – key structural members are weakened
or removed, causing the whole part of the
structure to collapse.
ENGINEERING SURVEY
• Survey determines the condition of
framing, floors, and walls to prevent
premature collapse of any portion of the
structure.
• Helps contractor plan the activity.
o Methods of Wrecking
(equipment needed)
o Man Power
o Protection of the Public
UTILITIES LOCATION
• Coordination with service providers prior
to the scheduled demolition
MEDICAL SERVICES AND FIRST AID
• Provisions should be made for prompt
medical attention.
• Make sure first aid kits are properly
stocked and accessible.
• Emergency phone numbers should be
readily accessible.
SHORING AND BRACING
• Brace or shore walls and floor structures
that have been damaged and may
require employee entry.
• No work is permitted where structural
collapse hazards exist until they are
corrected by shoring, bracing, or other
effective means.
• Demolition of exterior walls and floors
must begin at the top of the structure
and proceed downward.
• Structural or load supporting members or
any floor must not be cut or removed
until all stories that floor have been
removed.
FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
demolition.
• Fully charged portable fire extinguishers
should be provided throughout the
operation.
• Electrical wiring and equipment for
providing light, heat, or power should be
installed by a competent person and
inspected regularly.
• Local fire departments are often willing
to assist in pre-demolition structure
assessments.
DEMOLITION CHECKLIST
• Make sure workers are using the right
PPE for the job (noise &dust exposures)
• Dispose of all materials properly
• Ensure that workers are not exposed to
energized power sources.
• Educate workers on the special hazards
they may encounter.
• Educate workers on the application and
use of fall protection.
RULE 1417 DEMOLITION
1417.01:
All demolition operations of building or other
structure over six (6) meters high shall be under
supervision of a competent person. No person
except the workers who are directly engaged in
the demolition shall enter a demolition area to
within a distance equal to 1 1/2 times the height
of the structure being demolished, where this
distance is not possible the structure shall be
fenced around, and no unauthorized person shall
be allowed within the fenced area.
1417.02: DEMOLITION WORK
(1) On every demolition work, danger signs shall
be posted around the structure and all doors
and opening giving access to the structure shall
be kept barricaded or guarded.
(2) Demolition work shall not commence until:
(a) all necessary steps have been taken
to prevent injury to any person or
damage to adjoining property, and
(b) all existing gas, electrical and other
services likely to endanger a worker shall
have been shut off or disconnected.
(3) Prior to demolition all glass shall:
(a) be removed from windows and other
locations, or
(b) otherwise shall be protected so that
there is no possibility of breakage at any
stage of the demolition.
 (4) Shoring or other necessary measures shall be
taken to prevent the accidental collapse of
any part of the building or structure being
demolished or any adjacent building or structure
endangering the workers.
(5) Demolition shall proceed systematically,
storey by storey, in a descending order and the
work on the upper floors shall be completely over
before removing any of the supporting members
of the structure on the lower floor. This shall not
prohibit the demolition on section, in the same
descending order if means are taken to prevent
injury to workers and damage to property.
(6) All precautions shall be taken to avoid
damage from collapse of a building being
demolished or any part of it when any part of the
framing is removed from a framed or partly
framed building.
(7) No building or any part of the structure shall
be overloaded with debris or materials to
render it unsafe and hazardous to persons
working.
(8) Adequate precautions shall be taken to avoid
danger from any sudden twisting, springing
or collapse of any steel or ironwork cut or
released.
(9) No workers shall stand on top of wall, pier or
chimney more than six (6) meters (18 ft.) high
unless safe flooring or adequate scaffolding or
staging is provided on all sides of the wall, three
(3) meters (9 ft.) away from where he is working.
(10) A truss, girder, or other structural member
shall not be disconnected until it has been:
(a) relieved of all loads other than its
own weight, and
(b) provided with temporary supports.
(11) Stairs and stair railings, passageways and
ladders shall be demolished last.
(12) When demolition is suspended or
discontinued all access to the remaining part of
the building shall be fenced or barricaded.
1418: MECHANICAL DEMOLITION
The demolition area where work is done by
mechanical devices such as weight balls or
power shovels shall:
(a) be barricaded for a minimum
distance of 1 1/2 times the height of the
structure.
(b) not allow entrance of unauthorized
persons.
(c) arranged and maintained so the
mechanical devices used shall not
cause any
damage to adjacent structures, power
lines or public road.
EXCAVATION
• EXCAVATION – a man-made cut, cavity,
trench, or depression formed by earth
removal.
• TRENCH – a narrow excavation. The
depth is greater than the width, but not
wider than 15 ft.
• SHIELD – A structure able to withstand a
cave-in and protect employees (also
called box).
• SHORING – A structure that supports the
sides of an excavation and protects
against cave-ins.
• SLOPING – A technique that employs a
specific angle of incline on the sides of
excavation. The angle varies based on
assessment of impacting site factors.
EXCAVATION HAZARD
Cave-ins are the greater risk
Other hazards include:
• Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen
• Inhalation of toxic materials
• Moving machinery near the edge of the
excavation (can cause collapse)
• Accidental severing of underground
utility lines
• Fire
• Excavating is one of the most hazardous
constructions operations.
• Most accidents occur in trenches 5-15 ft
deep.
• There is usually no warning before a
cave-in.
The fatality rate for cave-ins is fifteen times greater
than for other construction accidents.
EXCAVATION REMINDERS
• The greatest risk at an excavation
• How to protect employees from cave-ins
• Factors that pose a hazard to
employees working in excavations
• The role of a competent person at an
excavation site
PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES
• Employees should be protected from
cave-ins by using an adequately
designed system.
• Protective systems must be able to resist
all expected load the system.
PROTECTIVE SYSTEM
A well-designed protective system
 Correct design of: STEEL TRENCH SHEETING
- Sloping and benching systems Trench
- Support systems Sheeting has
- Shield Systems the
- Other protective systems advantage
+ of easy
Appropriate handling of materials and equipment driving in
+ poor ground
Attention to correct installation and removal prior to an
= excavation being commenced in stiffer ground. It
Protection of employees at excavations. can be part driven initially then further driven as
the excavation proceeds.
SLOPING
For each foot of trench depth, the ratio of slope TRENCH BOXES
measured from the trench edge at ground height Consist of
must be: solid side
Soil Type A: ¼ to 1 (53 ̊ ) panels
Soil Type B: 1 to 1 (45 ̊ ) which are
Soil Type C: 1 ½ to 1 (34 ̊ ) kept apart
by
BENCHING adjustable
integral
hydraulic
struts. The
bottom of the side panels has a tapered cutting
edge, which allows them to be dug in or lowered
by a crane into a trench. Trench boxes can be
fitted on top of each other if the trench is quite
deep.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
• Employee Training
SHORING
• Excavated materials shall be kept from
Shoring is the part of a support system for trench
the edge of the excavation to provide a
faces. It is used to prevent movement of soil,
clear berm of a distance not less than
underground utilities, roadways, and foundations.
one third of the depth of the
TYPES:
excavation.
• Tool or materials shall be kept a
minimum of 1 m (3 ft) away from the
HYDRAULIC SHORING – a
edge and no vehicle or other machinery
pre-fabricated strut and/or
shall be driven, operated, or located
wale system made from
near the edge of an excavation at least
aluminum or steel.
a distance one-third (1/3) of its depth.
• The top of the walls of an excavation
more than 2.0 m (6 ft) deep shall be
barricaded to a height of at least 1 m (3
ft) to prevent the fall of workers.
• A competent person must test an
PNEUMATIC SHORING –
excavation deeper than 4 ft or where an
pneumatic shoring used air
oxygen deficiency or hazardous
pressure.
atmosphere is present or could
reasonably be expected before an
employee enters the excavation.
• Every excavation over 1 m (3 ft) deep
shall be provided with means of access
 and escape in case of flooding or
collapse of the excavation work.
• Every excavation shall have at least one
(1) ladder in every 16.6 m (50 ft) of
length or fraction thereof, of a length,
which shall extend at least 0.83 m (2’6”)
about the top of the excavation to
provide a form handhold when stepping
on or off the ladder.
• Every part of an excavation over 2 m (6
ft) deep where workers work shall be
inspected by the person in charge at
least once every day.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• All employees working in trenches or
excavations shall wear approved hard-
hats at all times. All employees working
in trenches or excavations shall wear
approved steel toed shoes or boots.
WATER IS HAZARDOUS
When water is present in an excavation it is
extremely hazardous to enter.
RULE 1413: EXCAVATION
1413.01: SHORING AND TIMBERING
(1) The walls of every excavation over 1 m. (3 ft.)
deep shall be supported by adequate shoring
and timbering to prevent collapse, provided that
this shall not apply to an excavation:
a. in which a worker is not required to
enter for any purposes.
b. cut in solid rock.
c. the walls are sloped to forty-five-
degree (45) angle from the vertical or
cut to the angle of repose.
d. in which a worker is engaged in
timbering or other work for the purpose
of compliance with this Rule if
precautions are taken to ensure his
safety.
(2) Shoring or timbering in excavation over 6.6 m.
(29 ft.) deep and those installed to prevent
the movement, collapse of an adjacent structure
shall be designed by a structural engineer and
approved by the proper authority
(3) No excavation in an adjacent building or
structure shall be undertaken unless steps are
taken to prevent danger to workers.
(4) Before shoring or timbering, the walls of an
excavation shall be stripped of loose rocks or
other materials that might slide, roll or fall on
workers.
(5) Every excavation over 1 m. (3 ft.) shall be kept
free of water at all times.
1413.02: MINIMUM BERM
(1) Excavated material shall be kept from the
edge of the excavation to provide a clear berm
of a distance not less than one third of the depth
of the excavation.
(2) Where the disposal area is limited, a berm of
reduced width of not less than 1 m. (3 ft.)
may be allowed, provided the materials being
excavated are stable, the shoring is designed to
carry the additional load, and barriers are
provided to prevent roll back of the excavated
materials.
1413.03: TOOLS MATERIALS AND MACHINERY
(1) Tools or materials shall be kept a minimum of 1
m. (3 ft.) away from the edge of the
excavation to prevent their being knocked down
into the excavation.
(2) No vehicle or other machinery shall be driven,
operated or located near the edge of an
excavation at least a distance one-third (1/3) of
its depth.
1413.04: PROVISION FOR BARRICADES
The top of the walls of an excavation more than
2.0 m. (6 ft.) deep shall be barricaded to a height
of at least 1 m. (3 ft.) to prevent the fall of workers.
1413.05: MEANS OF ACCESS AND ESCAPE
(1) Every excavation over 1 m. (3 ft.) deep shall
be provided with means of access and escape in
case of flooding or collapse of the excavation
work.
(2) Every excavation shall have at least one (1)
ladder in every 16.6 m. (50 ft.) of length or
fraction thereof, of a length, which shall extend at
least 0.83 m. (2’6”) above the top of the
excavation to provide a firm handhold when
stepping on or off the ladder.
1413.06: INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION OF
EXCAVATION
Every part of an excavation over 2 m. (6 ft.) deep
where workers work shall be inspected by the
person in charge at least once every day.
1413.07: SUPERVISION AND EXECUTION OF
TIMBERING AND OTHER WORK
(1) Timbering or support for any excavation shall
be erected, added, altered, or dismantled only
under the direction of the project supervisor.
(2) Timbering and other support for any
excavation shall be of good construction, sound
materials, and of adequate strength for the
purpose for which it is used and properly
maintained,
 (3) All struts and bracings shall be properly
secured to prevent displacement.
(4) Timber giving off toxic saps or substance
soluble in water shall not be used for timbering

1413.08: HARMFUL DUST, GASES, FUMES

(1) When harmful dusts, gases and fumes are
present in an excavation to such a degree
hazardous to the safety and health of the workers,
all measures shall be taken either by exhaust
ventilation or by other means to free the area of
such contaminants.
(2) Internal combustion engine shall only be
operated in an excavation when provision is
made to ensure that the exhaust gases and
fumes are rendered harmless or discharged to
a point away from the excavation.

1413.09: SIZES AND SPACING OF MEMBERS

Sheeting shall not be less than 5 cm. x 15 cm. (2” x
6”) in section, wales not less than 10 cm. x
15 cm. (4”x 6”) in section and struts not less than
10 cm. x 15 cm. (4” x 6”) in section; the length,
section and spacing of timbering members shall
be designed considering the nature of soil, depth,
and the surroundings.