1.

0 ABSTRACT

Statistic has shown that the number of fatality and permanent disablement cases due to

accident at the Malaysia construction sites is one of the highest as compared to the other

sector. Hence, there is an urgent need to mitigate this problem. There are three basic steps that

should be taken namely identifying the hazard, assessing the risk and controlling the risk to

ensure a safe and conducive working condition. Implementation of effective hazards control

methods may require different approaches due to changing of working environment at the

construction sites. Therefore, this paper is intended to identify and highlights the hazards that

are most commonly found at the selected construction sites of North South Expressway Third

Lane Widening Project From Rawang To Bukit Beruntung. The study determine twelve (12)

safety hazards and six (6) health hazards with regards to working at pavement construction

sites such as working with materials, machinery, working near live traffic and in open area.

From the risk assessment made, mishandling of diesel and other combustible materials is

identified as the most serious safety hazards at site while hazards from long exposure to

sunlight is identified as the most severe health hazards. This is due to the nature and the work

process of pavement construction that exposed the workers to these hazards. Engineering

control, administrative control and the use of personal protective equipment is the best control

measure to minimise the impact of the safety hazard while administrative control and the use

of personal protective equipment is the best alternatives to minimise the impact of health

hazards. It is recommended that the management practise the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)

cycle to ensure safety and health at site.

1
2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 PROJECT BRIEF: NORTH SOUTH EXPRESSWAY THIRD LANE

WIDENING PROJECT FROM RAWANG TO BUKIT BERUNTUNG

The Third Lane Widening Project of the North-South Expressway comprises the design and

construction of the pavement widening project for 21 km from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung.

Works involves, the third lane pavement widening and resurfacing the existing pavement. The

location of the proposed project is shown in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: Location Plan – Third Lane Widening Project from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung.

2
The Third Lane Widening Project of the North-South Expressway is being carried out by

UEM Construction Sdn. Bhd. (UEMC) for United Engineers Malaysia Bhd. (UEM). The

client is Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan Bhd (PLUS). Contract information and scope of

work of the Third Lane Widening Project from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung is shown in Table

2.1 and Table 2.2.

Table 2.1: Contract Information of Third Lane Widening Project from Rawang to Bukit
Beruntung

Contract Information
Government Representative Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM)
Client Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan Bhd (PLUS)
Main Contractor United Engineers Malaysia Bhd.
Type of Contract: Design And Build
Cost RM136.4 million
Letter of Award (LOA) 11 August 2006
Site Possession 8 September 2006
Date of Completion 8 September 2008 (Duration 24 month @ 2 years)
Defect Liability Period (DLP) 1 years

3
Table 2.2: Scope of Work of Third Lane Widening Project from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung.

Scope of Work
Pavement length: 21.0 km
Volume of cut 430,000 m3
Volume of fill 506,000 m3
Piled embankment (RC pile) 2,800 m
Stone column 35,000 m
Removal & replacement 130,000 m3
Bridges widened 4 nos
Culverts to extend 60 nos (Including CMP = 17 nos)
New culverts ( Pipe Jacking) 9 nos
VBC 9 nos
Retaining Wall 2869 lin.m
Utilities relocations Fibre Optic, Water Supply, Street Lightings,
Road furniture and Signboard Emergency Telephones, Guardrails, Kilometer posts,
Billboards, Traffic signs, Hectometre poles, High
Mast

2.2 SITE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION CHART

The project team headed by Project Manager and supported by Project Engineer, QAQC

Coordinator, Safety Officer, Planner, Quantity Surveyor, Land Surveyor, Supervisors and

administration staffs. The site organization chart of the proposed project is shown in Figure

2.2.

4
 Figure 2.2: Project site organization chart.

2.3 CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY

Construction for Third Lane Pavement Widening Project is of the Multi-layer Construction,

where works will take place in a sequence from bottom to top. It begins with utilities, ground

treatment, drainage culverts, earthworks, bridgeworks, pavement works, road furniture and

signage works. Figure 2.3 shows the typical detail of pavement design.

5
 Figure 2.3: Typical detail of pavement design.

The anticipated and intended sequence of pavement works is detailed by stages as indicated

below. At all stages, requests for inspection will be set in place to allow inspection and

approval by the consultants prior to the subsequent stage of the works commencing.

a) Construct both the new slow lane and the new emergency lane and flush to match to the

edge level of the existing CRCP. Plan the regulating and overlaying works (say 1000m

long per day per lane).

b) Prepare TMS such as traffic barriers, cones, temporary post, blinkers, etc. and divert the

traffics into the new slow and emergency lane. (Refer to Figure 2.4).

Figure 2.4 : TMS Preparation

6
c) Preparation work - Set up sensor wire, joint dipping, and demarcation of regulating area.

d) Spray PMB and lay reinforcement membrane along groove line of exiting CRCP.

e) Regulate on the fast lane up to the planned length beside the edge of the reinforcement

membrane at middle lane.

f) Regulate on the middle lane up to the planned length to the edge of the reinforcement

membrane at middle lane and to match to the edge at the slow lane.

g) Regulate for subsequent layers if any, on the fast lane, with a staggered edge along the

longitudinal joints. Regulate for subsequent layers if any, on the middle lane, with a

staggered edge along the longitudinal joints. (Refer to Figure 2.5).

Figure 2.5 : Subsequent Layers Regulation

Overlay SMA on the fast lane 4.45m width up to the planned length. (Refer to Figure 2.6).

Figure 2.6 : Overlay SMA

7
h) Taper the start of overlaying works for the purpose of opening to through traffic.

i) Overlay SMA on the middle lane 2.65m width up to the planned length.

j) Taper the start and end of overlaying works for the purpose of opening to through traffic.

k) Carry out all the necessary coring test on the fast and middle lanes.Carry out rolling

straight edge test and the 3-m transverse straight edge test for the final layer only.

l) Carry out permanent line marking works on the completed fast and middle lanes for the

final layer only.

m) Prepare TMS to divert traffic to the fast and middle lanes.

n) Prepare and plan to start regulating and overlaying works on the widened area.

2.3 MATERIALS

The material requires for resurfacing work are as follows (Table 2.3):

Table 2.3 : Material required for resurfacing work

No Type Supplier/Manufacturer

1 Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) 14. PATI Quarry Matang Pagar, Sg.
Buloh.
2 Reinforcement fabric membrane - Polyfelt Geosynthetics.
Polyfelt PGM-G100/100
(high tensile strength – 100Kn/m
membrane).
3 Tack coat i) ACP-DMT Sdn. Bhd.
i) Elastor Modified Bitumen ii) Petronas Dagangan Bhd. /
Emulsion Tack coat (Neomad). Kemaman. Bitumen Company
ii) Polymer Modified Binder(PMB) – Sdn. Bhd.
PMB PG76.
4 Regulating material ACWC14,ACBC i) Black Top Industries Sdn. Bhd.,
28,DBM 25&40 Rawang
ii) Quang Rock Products Sdn. Bhd.,
Sg. Buloh
i) Sq Long Industries Sdn. Bhd.,
Kajang

8
2.4 MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENTS

The construction of pavement work requires a set of equipment as follows (Table 2.4):

Table 2.4 : Equipment required for pavement work

No of
No Type Description
unit

1 Paver The paver should be self propelled equipped with a hopper

(ABG – Titan at the front designed to receive the paving mix from tip-
273) trucks and shall have a mechanical distribution system for
spreading the mixture evenly and without segregation over 1 no
the surface to be paved in front of a screeding and
compacting unit which shall be equipped with suitable
heating device. The paver shall be capable of laying the
bituminous mixture in paving width in the range of 2.5 to
5.0 meters and of finishing the pavement layer to the
required grades, levels, dimensions and cross sections
subject to compaction by rolling.

2 Steel wheeled Rollers used to compact the hot mix on site after laying by
tandem Roller the paver. The steel wheeled tandem roller shall be self
: Dynapac propelled and capable of reversed without backlash. The
(6 tone – 1 no rollers shall be equipped with water tanks, sprinkler system 2 no
& 10 tone 1 no and scrapper blades to keep drum roller wetted and clean
) during operation. The speed of the rollers should be control
to max 5km/h since too fast speed will not get the
compaction and too slow create dragging.

3 Power Broom Power Broom used to sweep and clean the surface on which 1 no
material to be laid. The clean surface shall be free from dust
and loose material.

4 PMB/Neomad To apply PMB/Neomad on dry surface of pavement by 1 no

Distribution using a distributor spray bar machine.
Tanker

5 Hand Pressure To apply Neomad on dry surface of pavement by using a 1 no

Sprayer hand pressure sprayer shall be used only in locations where
the truck cannot reach.

6 Water Tank Stand by filling water for roller. 1 no

7 Pavement Pavement cutter to cut back the exposed edge to vertical 1 no

Cutter face where longitudinal /transverse joints have to be made
in bituminous course.

9
2.5 POTENTIAL HAZARD

Accidents do not simply result from “bad luck”. They are generally caused by the existence of

unsafe conditions or by unsafe work practices. Most accidents can be prevented by forward

planning of safe work procedures to minimise risks and to control the identified hazards.

Generally the potential hazards of resurfacing of pavement works are as follows (Table 2.5):

Table 2.5 : Hazards associated with activities at site

Activities
Item Potential Hazard Category
Task I Task II
1 Unloading of - Unloading premix - Physical: Hit by moving object. - Safety.
materials material from truck to - Mechanical: Punching. - Safety.
paver machine - Physical: Hit by falling object. - Safety.

2 Working with - Manual handling of -Health: Fumes of tar and bitumen. - Health.
material premix material. -Physical: Heat injury to body - Safety
exposed to materials.
-Health: Dehydration due to over - Health.
heating of materials.
-Health: Mineral dust. - Health.
- Physical: Heat injury to body due - Safety
to inappropriate insulation of hand
tools. - - Safety
-Physical: Burnt injury due to
mishandling of diesel or other
combustible materials. - Safety
-Physical: Struck of hit by moving
object (hand tools or machinery).

3 Working - Working on premix -Physical: Traffic collision. - Safety

environment -Physical: Vehicles collapse during - Safety
unloading.
-Physical: Material falls onto public - Safety
vehicles or live road.
- Working on paver -Physical: Fall into loading tray. - Safety
-Physical: Fall into paver grader - Safety
with rotating equipment.
-Physical: Noise - Safety
-Working on -Physical: Noise. - - Safety
compactor roller / -Physical: Fall from vehicle. - - Safety
pneumatic roller

10
 3 Working - Working at open -Electrical:Lighning during rainy or -
environment area. stormy weather
(cont’d) -Physical: Material lifting
interrupted by windy condition.
-Working beside or -Physical: Traffic collision with - - Safety
near live traffic public vehicle.
-Physical: Material falls onto public
- - Safety
vehicles.
-Physical: Material falls onto live - - Safety
lane/roads.
-Environment: Space constraint. - - Safety
-Economy: Damage or loss -to - Safety
property.
-Physical: Communications- - Safety
interrupted by noisy condition.

-Working at night -Physical: Traffic collision with - Safety

public vehicle.
-Physical: Lighting. - Safety
-Physical: Communications - Safety
interrupted due to dark
environment.

The figures shown in Appendix A will give further information and a closer look on the

potential hazards associated with activities at site of this pavement construction.

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3.0 OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this report is to identify safety and health hazards, risk assessment and risk

control measure at selected workplace. The study area of selected workplace is the

construction of pavement works at North-South Expressway Third Lane Pavement Widening

Project from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung. The objectives of the report are as follows:

a. To identify safety and health hazards for construction of pavement works and evaluate

risk based on the current methods of working, resources, facilities and work environment.

b. To conduct risk assessment and risk analysis of the identified critical hazards.

c. To develop control measures to eliminate or minimize risk from hazards of the

construction of pavement resurfacing work.

d. To further enhance the level of awareness towards safety to the employees and enhance

safety accountability of the management to their workers.

12
4.0 METHOD

Hazard identification involves the identification and documentation of all the hazards that

may impact on the project during its life cycle that can be realistically predicted at the time.

4.1 IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDS

Methods used to identify hazards at the work place are described as follows:

i) Inspection and observation

This method place emphasis on inspection and observations made on work procedure

activities in the workplace and identify hazard in any part of the work process. Inspection and

observation can be done periodically, formal or informal to check for any unsafe act or unsafe

conditions. Statutory inspection will be conducted to check if the used machineries or

equipments meet the legal requirements for example the use of cranes and hoist. All

observations made were recorded in the checklist and inspection worksheet for

documentation. The inspection activity usually involves the workplace supervisors, managers

and employees. The outcome of inspection includes the actions to be taken and the timeframe

allowed for the action. A follow up on the action are taken to ensure its effectiveness.

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ii) Review of documents

The employee injury and illness record and workers compensation data must be reviewed to

check any incidence and mechanism of injury and the cost to the organization. The statistics

can be analyzed to alert the organization to the presence of hazards. Document review must

also be done on reports of accidents, accident investigation and audits since it provides

information on the type of hazards at workplace. References are made to OSHA Act, Standard

Operating Procedure, Code of Practice, Standards and Data. For example, an unknown

chemical cannot be identified as hazardous unless reference has been made to the Chemical

Safety Data Sheet (CSDS).

iii) Measurement

Measurement of the atmosphere, monitoring of the environment or medical surveillance of

workers to measure and monitor the level of noise, heat, radiation, air contaminants and

chemicals have reached a hazardous level. There are two types of monitoring, the area and

personal monitoring. In personal monitoring, the worker themselves at the workplace do the

monitoring, for example an X-Ray operator wears a badge to detect levels of exposure for

three days. Noise monitoring can be done to identify areas or equipments in the workplace

that are noisy and to identify workers with exposures above the action level or Permissible

Exposure Limit (PEL) using Dosimeter.

14
4.2 RISK ASSESSMENT METHODS

Risk assessment may be undertaken to vary degrees of detail depending on the risk, the

purpose of the analysis and the information data and resources available. Assessment may be

qualitative or quantitative depending on the circumstances. Methods used to analyze

identified hazards at the work place are described as follows:

i. Semi Qualitative Method

This method is suitable for risk assessment on safety hazards. Risk matrix with hazard

identification is a semi quantitative methodology that is very useful for prioritizing risk

issues and a rating is being assigned to give some quantitative value. The Risk Matrix is

based on:

a) Likelihood of an occurrence

This value is based on the likelihood of an event occurring, worker experience, analysis

and measurement. Likelihood levels range from almost certain to rare as described in

Table 4.1 (Edwards and Bowen, 2005).

Table 4.1: Ranking Of Likelihood Levels of an Occurrence

LIKELIHOOD EXAMPLE RATING

Almost Certain (AC) Expected to occur in most circumstances 5

Likely (L) Likely to occur in most circumstances 4

Possible (P) Might occur at some time 3

Unlikely (U) Could occur in certain circumstances 2

Rare (R) May only occur in exceptional circumstances 1

15
b) Severity of hazard

Severity of hazards is based upon an increasing level of severity to an individual’s health

environment, or to property. The degree of severity is described in Table 4.2 (Edwards

and Bowen, 2005).

Table 4.2: Ranking Of Severity of an Impact

SEVERITY OF EXAMPLE RATING

AN IMPACT

Severe (S) Death occurs, toxic off-site release with detrimental 5

effect, huge financial loss

Major (M) Extensive injuries, loss of production capability, off-site 4

release with no detrimental effect, major financial loss

Moderate (Mo) Medical alert and light injuries, on site containment 3

requires outside assistance, high financial loss

Minor (Mi) Minor injuries, rapid containment on site, medium 2

financial loss

Insignificant (I) No injuries, minor abrasion, low financial cost 1

b) Categories of hazard probability

Probability is the relative likelihood that a particular outcome or event will occur. The

categories of hazard are as extreme, high, medium and low.

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c) Risk Assessment

Risk assessment will be presented to communicate the result of analysis to make

decisions on risk control. After the analysis that uses likelihood and severity in qualitative

method, risk matrix will be present throughout a plant and area in workplace.

Relative Risk = L x S ,
Equation 1

Where, L = Likelihood and S = Severity

The combination of Table 4.1 and Table 4.2: results in Table 4.3: Risk Matrix Develop

Using Severity and Likelihood Parameters and Table 4.4: Risk Ranking Categories.

Table 4.3: Risk Matrix Develop Using Severity and Likelihood Parameters

LIKELIHOOD SEVERITY

1 2 3 4 5

5 5 10 15 20 25

4 4 8 12 16 20

3 3 6 9 12 15

2 2 4 6 8 10

1 1 2 3 4 5

17
 Table 4.4: Risk Ranking Categories

RISK RATING DESCRIPTION HAZARDS MITIGATION ACTION

Extreme risk, immediate action required.
20 - 25 E Extreme Before the project commences or
immediately as they arise during project
execution
High risk, will jeopardise project if not
12 - 19 H High managed. Appropriate actions
implemented during project execution.
Medium risk, will impact time, cost or
5 - 11 M Medium quality if not managed.
Low risk, acceptable project management
1-4 L Low risk, monitor only. To be noted; no action
is needed unless grading increases over
time.

ii. Qualitative Method

This method is suitable for risk assessment on health hazards. Qualitative risk analysis is

made based on the existing current information that has been recorded by the risk

assessor. This information can be obtained from accident statistics. Due to its qualitative

nature, the analysis done is qualitative. The parameters being used are very subjective to

the level of risk produced. It is possible that if two different people conduct qualitative

risk analysis on a same work activity, their assessment of the risk levels will be different.

18
a) Likelihood of an occurrence

This value is based on the likelihood of an event occurring, worker experience, analysis

and measurements. Likelihood levels range from rare, unlikely, possible, likely and

almost certain as described in Table 4.5 (Edwards and Bowen, 2005).

Table 4.5: Ranking Of Likelihood Levels of an Occurrence

LIKELIHOOD EXAMPLE

Almost Certain (AC) Expected to occur in most circumstances

Likely (L) Likely to occur in most circumstances

Possible (P) Might occur at some time

Unlikely (U) Could occur in certain circumstances

Rare (R) May only occur in exceptional circumstances

b) Severity of hazard

Severity of hazards is based upon an increasing level of severity to an individual’s health,

environment, or to property. Severity levels range from severe, major injuries, moderate,

minor and significant injuries as described in Table 4.6 (Edwards and Bowen, 2005). The

result of combination of Table 4.5 and Table 4.6 is Table 4.7: Risk Matrix Develop Using

Severity and Likelihood Parameters.

19
 Table 4.6: Ranking of Severity Levels of an Occurrence

SEVERITY OF EXAMPLE
AN IMPACT

Severe (S) Death occurs

Major (M) Extensive injuries, normally irreversible injury or damage to health

Moderate (Mo) Medical alert and light injuries, normally reversible injury or damage
to health requiring days off work

Minor (Mi) Minor injuries, normally only required first aid

Insignificant (I) No injuries, near misses accident

Table 4.7: Risk Matrix Develop Using Severity and Likelihood Parameters

LIKELIHOOD SEVERITY

Insignificant Minor (Mi) Moderate Major (M) Severe (S)

(I) (Mo)

Almost Certain Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme

(AC)

Likely (L) Low Medium High High Extreme

Possible (P) Low Medium Medium High High

Unlikely (U) Low Low Medium Medium Medium

Rare (R) Low Low Low Low Medium

20
 Table 4.8: Risk Ranking Categories

RATING DESCRIPTION HAZARDS MITIGATION ACTION

Extreme risk, immediate action required.
E Extreme Before the project commences or immediately as
they arise during project execution
High risk, will jeopardise project if not managed.
H High Appropriate actions implemented during project
execution.
Medium risk, will impact time, cost or quality if not
M Medium managed.
Low risk, acceptable project management risk,
L Low monitor only. To be noted; no action is needed
unless grading increases over time.

21
5.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Hazards need to be given a structured description using the following mantra:

Source of hazard has a likelihood of causing an event which depending on the context will

have an impact (Pritchard, 2005).

Figure 5.1 : Profile of A Risk

Construction has four leading causes of death. These are often referred to as the four high-

hazard areas such as fall, struck by, caught in and electrical hazards. According to OSHA,

one in every five workplace fatalities occurs in the construction industry. Accident and

incidents are caused by a variety of factors, most of which fall into one of two categories:

unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Unsafe acts and conditions can cause damage, injury and

death. Unsafe acts can mainly be prevented through behaviour change such as using defective

equipment, disabling a safety device, loading or placing equipment or supplies improperly or

dangerously etc. Unsafe conditions are sometimes outside of your control such as noise,

extreme heat or cold, poor lighting, poor housekeeping etc.

22
5.1 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Hazard identification is the crucial first step of risk assessment. Only significant hazards,

which could result in serious harm to people, should be identified. Thus, from the hazards

identified at the project’s site, these hazards will be put accordingly to the hazard register of

safety and health hazards as shown in Table 5.1 and Table 5.2 respectively.

Table 5.1: Safety Hazards Register

SAFETY HAZARDS

Code Source of Hazard Impact

S1 Falling of the machinery when climbing on Cause injury for example broken body
or off. parts, disability and fatality.

S2 Contact with the moving parts of the Heat through contact with hot parts,
engine electric shock and causing burnt
injuries or amputations.

S3 Traffic collision/Accident with public Cause injury for example broken body
vehicle during unloading parts, disability and fatality.

S4 Possible hazards of crushing or manual Being struck by moving and falling

handling when loading a machine onto a parts of machinery causing the fatality.
transporter/low loader truck

S5 Struck by lightning during rainy or stormy May cause death, a varying degree of
weather damage and cause of fires, damages to
equipments and materials.

S6 Materials falls onto public vehicles Damages to property and people being
struck by objects falling.

S7 Insufficient lighting to work at night Slips, trips and falls on the same level
or falls from height.

S8 Material falls onto live lane/roads Damages to property and cause of

injury and fatality.

23
 S9 Inappropriate insulation of hand tools Electrocution or burns using
incorrect/damaged tools for electrical
work.

S10 Mishandling of diesel or other combustible Fire and explosion risk with diesel and
materials cause of burnt injuries and fatality.

S11 Struck or hit by moving objects (hand tools Can cause of head injuries (hammer
or machinery) head), amputations and damaged eyes.

S12 Contact with hot parts of tarmac/bitumen Fires and explosions from the use of
in hopper fire if highly flammable liquids flammable and explosive substances.
used as fuel

Table 5.2: Health Hazards Register

HEALTH HAZARDS

Code Source of Hazard Impact

H1 Health hazards from long exposure to sunlight Heat stress which will cause heat
stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps.

H2 Noise hazards from the action of a compactor Exposure to harmful noise levels.
roller/pneumatic roller

H3 Possible health hazards from exhaust gases Oxygen depletion.

and hot tarmac/asphalt

H4 Overheating of material Dehydration where body fluids are

lost through heavy sweating.

H5 Mineral dust and fume Inhalation and absorption through

the skin.

H6 Possible health hazards from lubricants or Long-term health and can cause
fuels in the engine serious health problems.

24
The process of hazard recognition, evaluation and control is the foundation of an effective

safety programme. When hazards are identified and assessed, they can be addressed quickly,

reducing the hazard potential. Health and safety go hand in hand when it comes to the

construction industry. Staying healthy involves staying safe. Accidents and unsafe work

practices can cause long-term damage to our overall health.

5.2 HAZARD ANALYSIS AND RATING

The next step is to analyze the hazard and then to put these hazards into ranking according to

their risk value. As explained in the methodology, this hazard assessment are based on two

key factors :

i) the likely severity of any injury or illness from the hazard and

ii) the probability that the injury or illness will actually occur

Table 5.2: Safety Hazards Analysis and Rating

Code Source of Hazard Likelihood Severity Risk Risk

Rating Rating Value Ranking
S1 Falling of the machinery when 2 2 4 6
climbing on or off

S2 Contact with the moving parts of 3 4 12 2

the engine

S3 Traffic collision/Accident with 2 3 6 5

public vehicle during unloading

25
S4 Possible hazards of crushing or 3 3 9 3
manual handling when loading a
machine onto a transporter/low
loader truck
S5 Struck by lightning during rainy or 2 4 8 4
stormy weather

S6 Materials falls onto public 2 2 4 6

vehicles

S7 Not enough lighting to work at 3 3 9 3

night

S8 Material falls onto live lane/roads 2 2 4 6

S9 Heat injury to body due to 4 3 12 2

inappropriate insulation of hand
tools
S10 Mishandling of diesel or other 4 4 16 1
combustible materials
S11 Struck or hit by moving objects 2 4 8 4
(hand tools or machinery)

S12 Contact with hot parts of 4 3 12 2

tarmac/bitumen in hopper fire if
highly flammable liquids used as
fuel

Table 5.3 : Risk value on Safety hazards in semi qualitative risk matrix

LIKELIHOOD SEVERITY

1 2 3 4 5

4 S9,S12 S10

3 S4,S7 S2

2 S1,S6,S8 S3 S5,S11

26
The most critical safety hazard for this project is (S10) mishandling of diesel or other

combustible materials as shown in Table 5.2: Safety Hazards Analysis and Rating and Table

5.3 : Risk value on Safety hazards in semi qualitative risk matrix.

Next, health hazards will be assessed using the qualitative method as explained in

methodology.

Table 5.4: Health Hazards Analysis and Rating

Code Source of Hazard Likelihood Severity Risk Risk

Rating Rating Value Ranking
H1 Health hazards from long AC M Extreme 1
exposure to sunlight

H2 Noise hazards from the action of a L Mo High 2

compactor roller/pneumatic roller

H3 Possible health hazards from P Mo Medium 3

exhaust gases and hot
tarmac/asphalt
H4 Dehydration due to overheating of U Mo Medium 3
material

H5 Exposure to mineral dust U M Medium 3

H6 Possible health hazards from U M Medium 3

lubricants or fuels in the engine

27
 Table 5.5 : Risk value on Health hazards in qualitative risk matrix

LIKELIHOOD SEVERITY

Insignificant Minor (Mi) Moderate Major (M) Severe (S)

(I) (Mo)

Almost Certain (AC) H1

Likely (L) H2

Possible (P) H3

Unlikely (U) H4 H5,H6

Rare (R)

The most critical health hazard for this project is (H1) Health hazards from long exposure

to sunlight as shown in Table 5.3: Health Hazards Analysis and Rating and Table 5.4 : Risk

value on Health hazards in semi qualitative risk matrix.

5.3 THE IMPACT OF THE MOST CRITICAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RISKS

i. (S10) mishandling of diesel or other combustible materials.

The impact of mishandling of diesel or other combustible materials is fire and

explosion risk with diesel and cause of burnt injuries and fatality. The financial costs

associated with serious fires are very high including, in many cases the failure to start

up business again (Hughes & Ferret, 2005). The small fire in a waste bin, if not dealt

with can quickly spread through a project became raging infernos, resulting in many

28
deaths and serious injuries. Some construction site fires have caused many Ringgit

Malaysia in losses.

If it will burn it can be fuel for a fire. The things which will burn easily are the most

likely to be the initial fuel, which then burns quickly and spreads the fire to other

fuels. The most common things that will burn in a typical workplace is diesel. Most

flammable liquids give off vapours which are heavier than air so they will fall to the

lowest levels. A flash flame or an explosion can occur if the vapour catches fire in the

correct concentration of vapour and air.

Fire transmits heat in several ways by convection, conduction, radiation and direct

burning. Hot air becomes less dense and rises drawing in cold new air to fuel the fire

with more oxygen. The heat is transmitted upwards at sufficient intensity to ignite

combustible materials in the path of the very hot products of combustion and flames.

Conduction it the transmission of heat through a material with sufficient intensity to

melt or destroy the material and ignite combustible materials which come into contact

or close to a hot section.

Radiation is the direct transmission of heat through the emission of heat waves from a

surface can be so intense that adjacent materials are heated sufficiently to ignite. And

the direct burning is the effect of combustible materials catching fire through direct

contact with flames which causes fire to spread, in the same way that lighting an open

fire, with a range of readily combustible fuels is spread within a grate. The main

consequences of fire are:

29
 a. death

b. building damage

c. flora and fauna damage

d. loss of business of jobs

e. transport disruption

f. environmental damage

ii. (H1) Health hazards from long exposure to sunlight

The impact of health hazards from long exposure to sunlight is heat stress which occurs

when abnormally hot air and/or high humidity or extremely heavy exertion prevents your

body from cooling itself fast enough (Contren Safety Learning Series, 2004). When this

happens, we may suffer a heat stroke, heat exhaustion or heat cramps. Heat cramps are

muscular pains and spasms caused by heavy exertion. Any muscles can be affected, but

most often it is the muscles have been using most. Loss of water and electrolytes from

heavy sweating causes these cramps. Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people

exercise heavily or work in warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy

sweating. When it’s humid, sweat does not evaporate fast enough to cool the body

properly.

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The human body is very sensitive to relatively small changes in external temperatures.

Food not only provides energy and the build-up of fat reserves but also generates heat

which needs to be dissipated to the surrounding environment. The body also receives

heat from its surroundings. The body temperature is normally around 37° and will

attempt to maintain this temperature irrespective of the temperature of the

surroundings. Therefore, if the surrounding are hot, sweating will allow heat loss to

take place by evaporation caused by air movement over the skin. On the other hand, if

the surroundings are cold, shivering causes internal muscular activity, which generates

body heat. .

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6.0 RECOMMENDATION

Based on the analysis on safety and health hazards, the result showed that mishandling of

diesel or other combustible materials is the top safety hazard. Health hazards from long

exposure to sunlight is the top rank of health hazards.

In identifying the proposed control measures (preventive and corrective) for each critical

health and safety hazards as mentioned above, the risk control hierarchy will be used to rank

risk control measures in decreasing order of effectiveness. Risk control measures should

always aim as high in the list as practicable.

6.1 Proposed Control Measures (preventive and corrective) for Safety Hazards

The Risk Control Hierarchy for mitigation of safety hazards due to mishandling of diesel or

other combustible materials is shown in Table 6.2 below:

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 Table 6.2 : The Risk Control Hierarchy for Mitigation of Safety Hazards

S10 Mishandling of diesel or other combustible materials

No. Risk Control Mitigation Measures Possible

Hierarchy (√ / X )
- -
A Elimination of - Connecting services to the demolition X
hazard -
- Ensuring there are no sparks or ignition
- sources, where a risk of fire or explosion exists
-
-
B Substitution of Using power shears in place, where a risk of fire X
hazard exists

C Engineering controls Modification of tools or equipment √

D Administrative Responsibility of the management √

controls

E Personal protective Fumigate personal protective equipment √

equipment

The safety hazard due to mishandling of diesel or other combustible material is impossible to

eliminate, substitute or isolate the hazard since the nature and work process of pavement

construction needs to utilise diesel and other combustible materials such as tarmac and

asphalt. Thus, an engineering control is the next preferred measure, by means including the

following:

a) Modification of tools or equipment

b) Provision of guarding to machinery or equipment

c) Provision of falling object protective structures (FOPS) and roll-over protective

structures (ROPS) on vehicles and plant

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 d) Installation of static lines and anchor points for fall arrest system

For the administrative control, includes the introduction of reduced risk work practices are

important, including the following:

a) Responsibility of the management

b) No smoking area to be imposed

c) Implementing and documenting safe working procedures for all hazardous tasks

d) Implementing safe procedures for handling hazardous substances

e) Training and instructing all personnel

f) Consulting with all workers on the site

Personal protective equipment is the last effective management control because it needs

almost constant supervision and enforcement. The advice of a specialist may be required

when selecting personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment should only be

considered when other control measures are not practicable or to increase the protection given

to a person. Personal protective equipment includes:

a) Safety helmets

b) Safety boots

c) Gloves

d) Goggles

e) Respirators

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6.2 Proposed Control Measures (preventive and corrective) for Health Hazards

The Risk Control Hierarchy for mitigation of health hazards from long exposure to sunlight

is shown in Table 6.3 below:

Table 6.3 : The Risk Control Hierarchy for Mitigation of Health Hazards

H1 Health hazards from long exposure to sunlight

No. Risk Control Mitigation Measures Possible

Hierarchy (√ / X )
A Elimination of Not possible X
hazard
B Substitution of Not possible X
hazard
C Engineering controls Not possible X

D Administrative Limit working hours √

controls
E Personal protective To use personal protective equipment √
equipment

For this risk of health hazard of long exposure to sunlight, the elimination, substitution and

the engineering control are not possible for mitigation measure. The nature and the work

process is pavement work is once against become the limitations to implement elimination,

substitution and engineering control. For that reason, the best control measure is the

administrative control and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Other than limiting the amount of time a person is exposed to a particular hazard, the

management or administrative have to make sure the workers take the following precautions:

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 a) Drink plenty of water

b) Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks

c) Wear lightweight, light- coloured clothing

d) Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing if it does not create a hazard

e) Do not overexert

f) When possible, perform the most strenuous work during cooler parts of the day

g) Keep the head covered and face shaded

h) Take frequent, short breaks

i) Rest in the shade whenever possible

Personal protective equipment is responsible to protect the workers from personal injury even

though PPE is the last line of defence against injury (Hislop, 1999). The health hazard for

long exposure to sunlight can be minimised by using the PPE which includes:

a) Safety helmets

b) Clothing must comply with good work and safety practices

6.3 Recommendation on Overall Safety and Health Hazards Management at Site

No single section or department of an organization can develop a positive health and safety

culture on its own (Hughes & Ferret, 2005). There needs to be commitment by the

management, the promotion of health and safety standards, effective communication within

36
the organization, cooperation from and with the workforce and an effective and developing

training programme.

As mentioned earlier, there needs to be a commitment from the very top of the organization

and this commitment will, in return, produce higher levels of motivation and commitment

throughout the organization. Probably the best indication of this concern for health and safety

is shown by the status given to health and safety and the amount of resources (money, time

and people) allocated to health and safety.

The PDCA technique should be used in implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of the

suggested control measures for safety and health hazards.

1. Plan what to do : The top management must made early plan

2. Do the experimentation : Come out with the instruction for workers

3. Check the solution : Check the workers to make sure the work done is produced in

accordance with the plan.

4. Act on the result : The project completed with zero accident or if accidents happened,

the appropriate control measure is taken accordingly.

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 Figure 6.1 : PDCA cycle

The followings give some suggestions to managers on the improvements that may be made to

health and safety issues at site which will be seen by the workforce as a clear indication of

their commitment. Among others are to:

a) review the status of the health and safety committees and health and safety

practitioners. Ensure that any recommendations are acted upon or implemented

b) ensure that senior managers receive regular reports on health and safety

performance and act on them

c) ensure that any appropriate health and safety actions are taken quickly and are seen

to have been taken

d) any action plans should be developed in consultation with employees, based on a

shared perception of hazards and risks, be workable and continuously

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7.0 CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that this construction site of North South Expressway Third Lane

Widening Project From Rawang To Bukit Beruntung had a common hazards as follows (as

the top ranked in the risk assessment according to its likelihood and severity of the impact):

i) Safety hazards: Mishandling of diesel and other combustible materials

ii) Health hazards: Health hazards from long exposure to sunlight

It was observed that most of the project site workers within the case study had a low level of

awareness toward using the personal protective equipment and other safety and health

procedure. Even for the employer, the supply for this equipment is seen to be quite inadequate

compare to the quantity of workers at sites. This situation still required an enormous

improvement to catch up to the acceptable level of safety and health practice at site. The

employer or the management played a crucial role to implement good health and safety

management systems in place. The principles of good and effective management provide a

sound basis for the improvement of health and safety performance. Increase awareness of

management and that of the site personnel towards safety and health in the industry, via

systematic safety and health awareness courses, would be useful in further reducing the

number of accidents in the constructions industry.

In conclusion, safety and health plan in the construction industries should be a prime concern

of all parties especially the planner, architect, engineers, builders and regulatory bodies. With

proper design, proper selections of materials, strict compliance with the specification and

awareness on safety, there should be no failure at all except an act of God.

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8.0 REFERENCES / SOURCES

Carl L. Pritchard, Risk Management : Concepts and Guidance. ESI International, 2005.

Contren Safety Learning Series, Safety Orientation Participant Guide. Pearson Education

Publishers. 2004

Malaysia (1994). Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994. Act 514.

Peter J. Edwards and Paul A. Bowen, Risk Management in Project Organisations. Elsevier

Butterworth- Heinemann Publishers. 2005

Phil Hughes & Ed Ferrett, Introduction to Health and Safety In Construction. Elsevier

Butterworth- Heinemann Publishers. 2005

Richard D. Hislop, Construction Site Safety : A Guide for Managing Contractors. Lewis

Publishers. 1999.

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