Construction Accidents – Managing the Risks The construction industry has had a disproportionately high rate of accidents for its size. According to Department of Labor (DOL) 2006 statistics, construction accounted for 7% of the U.S. workforce, but claimed 21% of all occupational fatalities and 10% of all disabling occupational injuries. NIOSH, the National Institute for Safety and Health released statistics showing that one of every five workplace fatalities in the U.S. is a construction worker. Since construction workers handle dangerous equipment and situations on a daily basis, these accident statistics may not come as a surprise. In 2006, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation received reports on 10,055 construction-related injuries. Despite extensive federal and state regulations designed to maintain safe worksites, 21 construction workers suffered fatal injuries in 2006 in Pennsylvania, an increase from 14 fatalities of the previous year. This presentation will review root causes of construction accidents, OSHA’s role of “the work place safety gatekeeper” and the various duties of care for contractors and sub contractors. Identification of hazard factors affecting managing safety in assembly, erection, excavation and demolition operations in order to analyze their effect to the risk of accident occurrence. Additionally the design professional’s opportunity and obligation to design for safety will be reviewed. This presentation will demonstrate by review of case histories how risks can be managed and if not what liabilities can be incurred.

1. Construction Accidents Managing Risks Johann F. Szautner, P.E., P.L.S. Cowan Associates, Inc.

13. Ability to manage Risk in Construction

15. Scaffolds and Arial Lifts Scaffold Capacity: 4 times the maximum intended load Hoist Capacity: 4 times the tipping moment from operating load

16. Fall Protection – same level

17. Falling from Elevation

18. Falling Objects

21. Trench Excavation

24. Masonry & Concrete Construction

25. Demolition

27. Liability Exposure

28. Darwinian Award Candidates

29. Analyze Cause & Effect = Root Cause