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t’s an iconic image — 11 men on a beam over Rockefeller Center with a hazy New York skyline in the back- ground. They wear newsboy caps and knit hats, share cigarettes, casually juggle lunchboxes, and display bare
ankles, arms, and even one chest. Though widely accepted now as a staged publicity shot, for generations the image has evoked a sense of American resiliency, pride, and work ethic. Today it’s also an image that may cause
cringes and concerns for the implied lack of safety precautions and concern for workers’ health and protection. Human safety is the biggest risk in construction. According to OSHA statistics, 4,764 workers died on the job in 2020, and workers in transportation and material moving occu- pations and construction and extraction occupations accounted for nearly half of all fatal occupational injuries (47.4%), representing 1,282 and 976 workplace deaths, respectively. Many factors affect risk on constructions sites, including: • Mistakes made by workers, such as not following proper procedures, taking shortcuts, or being careless.
• Insufficient training or lack of proper knowledge, when workers are not adequately trained in operating machinery, handling hazardous materials, or using safety equipment.
• Communication breakdowns between workers, supervisors, and contractors which lead to misunderstandings and unsafe practices.
• Lack of safety protocols including inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of safety signage, insufficient safety barriers, and inadequate safety training programs.
• Unsafe working conditions such as unstable structures, uneven terrain, falling objects, hazardous materials, and heavy machinery.
• Fatigue and stress impair workers’ judgment and concentration, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Malfunctioning or poorly maintained equipment resulting in failures such as crane collapses, scaffolding failures, or faulty electrical systems.
• Poor site organization – such as inefficient site layout, cluttered work areas, and inadequate storage or disposal of materials making it difficult for workers to move safely.
• Inadequate supervision leads to workers not adhering to safety protocols and missing potential hazards. Over the past 60 years, technology has
significantly evolved and transformed construction sites, bringing about numer- ous advancements and improvements. From the beginnings of computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) in the late 1950s and early 1960s to current advances in augmented and virtual reality, technology has long played a key role in advancing both the abilities and efficiencies of construction. For instance, construction machinery
has become more advanced, efficient, and safer over the years. Equipment such as excavators, cranes, bulldozers, and loaders has undergone technological advance- ments, including GPS and automation features, enhanced operator controls, improved safety systems, and better fuel efficiency. Robotic automation – such as automated brick-laying – increases effi- ciency, reduces labor-intensive tasks, and minimizes worker exposure to safety risks. Stronger and lighter helmets, high-vis- ibility clothing, fall protection systems, respiratory protection, and improved hearing protection devices not only re- duce the human risk for death and injury but also corporate liability. Advancements in communication technology have enabled real-time mon- itoring and control of construction sites
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
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