GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE

Introduction

In this chapter, some concepts and methods in the prevention of occupational injuries are introduced.

The aim of the chapter is to provide a general understanding of the concepts of occupational injuries and work-related diseases as well as occupational accidents and injuries due to long-term impact. In the chapter, the responsibility of employers and employees is also stated related to the safety and health of the workplace.

It is also the aim of this chapter to introduce the methods provided for workplace assessment and accident analysis with a view to preventing occupational injuries and work-related diseases.

This chapter provides an overview, whereas the following chapters, chapters 2-5, give detailed descriptions of the risks in road works and rescue work. These chapters examine more closely what safety measures can be taken to prevent accidents and injuries. Serious accidents that involve the vehicles that are in the road are of main concern for the road workers.

Building projects in connection with road works also imply a number of other hazards such as injuries from lifting, poisoning by inhalation of hazardous substances, cauterization/corrosion, burns and being worn-out after long-term impact. These hazards have not been included in this module. Instead, we refer to the modules directly relating to this type of work such as Module 7 on construction work.

The provisions for traffic regulation and marking of road works are to be found in the Road Traffic Act as well as consolidation acts and circulars pertaining to it.

Occupational injuries – definitions

• Road accidents where the injured person is at work is an occupational accident
  
• A hearing impairment caused by an explosion is an occupational accident whereas a hearing impairment resulting from long-term work in an environment of loud noise is an occupational disease
  
• A back injury resulting from a fall is an accident whereas a back injury caused by long-term work in the wrong working position is an occupational disease
  
  

Prevention of occupational injuries

• Gather information about factual incidents in connection with the accident
  
• If possible, take photos or draw sketches
  
• Do it as fast as possible after the accident
  

Clear up the accident

• Carry out a step-by-step analysis of the events leading to the accident
  
• Base the analysis solely on the facts collected during the mapping
  

Find safe solutions that are preventive

• Go through each step of the analysis for possible preventive measures
  
• Estimate the sequence of preventive measures and decide what should be carried out immediately and what should be carried out later
  
• Agree on deadlines and determine who is responsible that the measures are implemented
  
  

Duties and responsibilities in the work environment

As a principal rule, the employer is responsible for workplace safety and for compliance with the legislation. Thus, it is also the employer’s duty to take on an active role in safety and health on the job.

The employer does not however bear full responsibility. Also managers and supervisors at various levels, the employees and suppliers of machines, equipments and aids bear their share of responsibility.

The employer’s responsibility

• The work – including work with machines, technical aids, chemicals, other substances and equipments – must be planned and executed in complete accordance with safety and health regulations
  
• The workplace must be arranged securely in relation to ventilation, cold and draught, dangers of crash or collapse, etc.
  
• The employees should have the necessary training in a safe manner of working
  
• There should be supervision that the work is carried out according to given instructions
  

Managers and supervisors act as the employer’s representatives and have – each one at his/her own level – the same responsibility as the employer.

The employees’ responsibility

• Assist in working conditions being in complete accordance with safety and health regulations
  
• Use the personal appliances for protection distributed to them
  
• Report flaws and defects to the supervisor if they cannot repair them immediately
  

Suppliers

• Machines must be supplied with the necessary protective equipment and simple instructions
  
• Scaffolds must be suited for the work they have been ordered for, and they should be set up in a safe manner according to regulations
  

Furthermore, the builder and the constructors are also responsible that the work is carried out in the most appropriate way regarding health and safety during work.

Prevention in practice

Workplace assessment is one of the best tools for systematising the work on the occupational environment and the prevention of injuries. Workplace assessment must cover the entire work environment of the company or the building site. I.e., the estimate should comprise as a minimum:

• Physical impacts (e.g. light, noise, cold and draught)
  
• Chemical impacts
  
• Biological impacts (e.g. risks of infection)
  
• Ergonomic impacts (e.g. work positions and heavy lifting)
  
• Mental impacts (job satisfaction)
  
• Risks of accidents
  

The workplace assessment must be revised when there are changes in the work environment, e.g. when introducing new working procedures, new machines, or when new risks or dangers occur which have not yet been taken into account. This may occur if there is an accident or a missed accident.

In a construction site, the conditions of the workplace change from day-to-day, or even from hour-to-hour. As a result, there is a need for good planning and co-ordination, as well as cooperation between the different sub-contractors and the main contractor, in order the working environment to remain safe.