Importance of OSH

in Construction Site

Dr. Neil B. Dayan, MBA, LL.B.

Accredited OSH Consultant

Module Objectives
a. Discuss why construction safety is important;
b. Enumerate the direct and indirect costs as well as
the potential costs of an accident;
c. Discuss the overview on how to manage OSH in the
construction site;
d. Discuss the importance of building a Culture of
Safety in Construction Site.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

1
Introduction
A safe jobsite is one of the most important responsibilities of a
construction safety officer. Aside from the obvious ethical concerns of
keeping workers injury-free, there are significant costs associated with an
unsafe worksite.

Construction worker injuries and illnesses have cost implications attached

which, arguably, can have a major impact on a construction organization.
However, it is possible to prevent accidents from occurring. Consequently,
the costs of accidents can be avoided, time and money saved and harm to
people prevented.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why Is Construction Site Safety Important?

The construction industry is one the most dangerous in terms of
workplace fatalities. In layman’s point of view, construction has
three (3) Ds – that is Dirty, Difficult and Dangerous. As a safety
officer, you have an obligation to understand the risks and keep
workers safe on the job.

Some of the most common hazards in construction site are:

• Falls from height
• Falling objects
• Exposure to dangerous substances
• Dust inhalation
• Working in confined spaces
• Motor vehicle accidents

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

2
Why Is Construction Site Safety Important?
Construction safety is also important due to the Occupational Safety
and Health Standards and the recently passed law (RA 11058) and
which is currently implemented through DOLE’s DO 198-18.

Under these laws and related issuances, workers have a right to a

safe workplace. They also require employers to provide sufficient
training, as well, to ensure worksite safety. Along with this comes
the consequences and corresponding penalties of violating these
laws.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why Is Construction Site Safety Important?

Safety on Construction Sites Protects the Public

Not only does safety on construction sites protect your

workers, but it also keeps the general public
safe. Construction sites are usually located in busy areas
where the general public is coming and going.

Inadequate safety protocols can allow objects to fall on

innocent bystanders, putting people not even connected to the
project at high risk.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

3
Why Is Construction Site Safety Important?

Safety Reduces Work-Related Accidents

Not only does construction site safety decrease the risk of

injuries to the public, but it also reduces the risk of work-
related injuries and accidents. Having a culture of safety
reduces the risk of these types of accidents.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

Why Is Construction Site Safety Important?

Decrease Time and Money Lost After an Accident
When an accident occurs that causes an injury or death, work stops. The
severe nature of these accidents require investigation, and work cannot
continue while the instigation is underway.
Construction site accidents also drive up the overall cost of your project.
Often equipment or supplies are damaged, and your overhead will
increase. For injured workers, worker’s compensation claims can increase
total operating costs. If the person injured is not part of the construction
company, a lawsuit is likely. Keeping the construction site safe helps limit
this risk, so your project can finish on time and budget.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

4
Why Is Construction Site Safety Important?
Increase OSH Compliance

Even if accidents do not occur, an unsafe workplace is a risk. DOLE and

other regulatory agencies require specific standards of safety and health.

If you do not adhere to these regulations, you are putting your company
at risk because an unsafe work environment can lead to fines and
penalties if your failures come to light. Following and exceeding current
safety guidelines protects you against this genuine risk.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

What Are the Potential Costs?

Construction companies spend a huge costs
per year associated with occupational injuries
and illnesses — expenditures that come
straight out of company profits.

The report shows 63.7 percent of

construction-related fatalities were caused by
the “Fatal Four” — falls, struck by object,
electrocution, and caught-in/between.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

5
What Are the Potential Costs?

DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS

The costs of accidents can be categorized into direct and

indirect costs. Various direct and indirect costs are associated
with any accident and the extent of these varies with the
severity of the consequences of an accident. Severity can
range from minor accidents involving little or no absence from
work to fatalities.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

6
What Are the Potential Costs?

Direct costs tend to be those associated with the treatment of

the injury arising from the accident and any unique
compensation offered to workers as a consequence of being
injured.

These easily-identified expenses are known as the ‘direct costs’

associated with accidents. The direct costs are by and large
covered by workmens’ compensation insurance.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

What Are the Potential Costs?

Indirect Costs

Less evident expenses associated with accidents are known as "indirect" or "hidden"
costs and can typically be several times greater than the value of the direct costs.

Indirect costs include:

• Overtime costs
• Time lost by injured employee
• Idle workers lost time
• Remedial work/correction
• Injured employee’s productivity loss costs
• Supervision and management lost time

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

7
What Are the Potential Costs?
Indirect costs include:

• Incident investigation costs

• Production loss and process delays
• Transportation costs
• Training of replacement employee
• Additional medical costs
• Damage to equipment, plant, tools, or other property
• Idle plant and equipment
• Legal expenses
• Reduced morale
• Overhead cost borne by injured employee/family and Negative image

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

Impact of severity on cost

The costs associated with construction-related accidents can vary radically
depending on the severity of the consequences of the accident and other
influencing conditions.

Severity can range from minor accidents involving little or no absence

from work to fatalities. The more severe the accident the longer the time
typically required to recover and return to normal occupational duties.
Consequently, the associated costs are much higher. The more intensive
the medical treatment required the higher will be the costs associated
with the accident.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

8
 How Do You Manage for Site Safety?
Worker safety should be a priority throughout any construction firm, regardless of its
size. Managing a team that embodies this concept will be beneficial to the organization
as a whole. Effective company’s OSH leadership and management will:

• Make worker safety and health a core organizational value.

• Ensure full commitment to eliminating hazards, protecting workers, and
continuously improving safety and health on job sites.
• Provide sufficient resources to implement and maintain the safety and
health program.
• Visibly demonstrate and communicate their safety and health
commitment to workers and others.
• Set an example through their own actions.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

Building a Culture of Safety in Construction Site

With the benefits of a focus on safety being quite obvious, it is
time to take a closer look at your construction site to see if you
are doing all you can to protect your company.

To build a culture of safety;

• Make safety requirements a condition of employment.

• Host regular training to ensure everyone understands your safety
recommendations, and
• Reward workers who regularly make safety a priority.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

9
In summary

Safety on the construction site is vital to protecting

workers, protecting the public, and keeping the job
running on time.

By creating a culture of safety in your company, you

can protect the workers and other stakeholders from
these risks.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

End of Module.

COSHEMAP ACADEMY OF SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY

10