Construction Safety
Workplace safety policies and procedures protect employees from potential injuries and accidents. These safety measures are particularly important in the construction industry. Electrocution, dangerous equipment, and falls are some of the inherent risks in the construction sector. Therefore, implementing key safety standards would manage and prevent these incidents on construction sites. Apart from protecting the workers’ health and well-being, safety protocols shield the company from legal issues in case of a workplace hazard. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards guide the development of systems and products (Kalina et al. 166). Typically, these standards ensure the safety, efficiency, and durability of built structures. Construction companies should prioritize workplace safety to increase productivity and improve financial performance.
Approach
ASTM is globally renowned for its set standards that guide various construction operations and safety. Following ASTM’s standards, construction safety should be approached by implementing measures that minimize potential risks related to construction activities. Among the standards developed by ASTM include ASTM F1554, E329, C31, and F2676. ASTM F1554 particularly outlines the specifications for anchor bolts widely used during construction while ASTM E329 specifies the procedure for determining outward leakages that can result in energy waste and structural damage (Chiera et al. 1; Reid 2). Scarpitti et al. outlined that ASTM C31 essentially assesses the strength of concrete structures (4). Therefore, the multifaceted nature of ASTM’s approach to construction safety protects workers, employers, and the public.
Findings
The ASTM standards guarantee the safe and efficient design and operation of construction sites. These standards cover a diverse range of areas, from equipment installation to concrete strength. For example, ASTM F1554 can be applied in the construction of bridge piers to ensure that the structure’s weight is well supported. Moreover, constructors employ the ASTM E329 standard to identify any defects in the concrete. Similarly, in the design of a highway overpass, ASTM C31 can be applied to determine whether the chosen concrete meets strength requirements. Kalu et al. implied that the ASTM F1487-21 standard can be considered when installing playground equipment to minimize the risk of injury (5). Therefore, construction professionals can verify the quality and safety of their projects by following ASTM standards.
Application and Significance of Technologies
The dramatic rise of technological applications has improved construction safety over the years. For example, technologies such as virtual reality (VR), drones, and building information modeling (BIM) have enhanced the safety of construction sites. Liao et al. demonstrated that BIM digitally represents construction projects allowing contractors to work collaboratively in real time (1). Additionally, BIM allows for activity simulation and identifies safety hazards. Similarly, VR is instrumental in the practice of workplace protocols in simulated environments. On the other hand, drones can be used to monitor and inspect all construction activities, allowing for effective management of safety threats (Lee et al. 3923). With the continuous evolution of technological solutions, construction safety will improve.
Recommendation
Construction companies must adhere to ASTM protocols to ensure workers’ safety. However, training employees on ASTM standards regarding the use of tools and equipment is crucial to preventing accidents and injuries. Conducting safety audits regularly can further help identify safety hazards on the sites. The audits can include a review of procedures and materials to guarantee compliance. Moreover, it is important to ensure that employees get training on the handling of all construction materials, from concrete to protective gear. Most importantly, every construction procedure must be within the ASTM framework. Construction safety is critical for individual workers and the public and ASTM standards help achieve this goal.
Works Cited
Chiera, Silvia, et al. “A simple method to quantify outward leakage of medical face masks and barrier face coverings: implication for the overall filtration efficiency.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 6, 2022. Web.
Kalina, Ryan D., et al. “False Positives in ASTM C618 Specifications for Natural Pozzolans.” ACI Materials Journal vol. 116, no. 1, 2019, 165-172. Web.
Kalu, Paul, Charlie Suskin, and Suhul Kebede. “MEMS 411: Rotational Inertia Demo.” Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class, 2022. Web.
Lee, Suk Bae, et al. “Change Monitoring at Expressway Infrastructure Construction Sites using Drone.” Sens. Mater, vol. 32. Web.
Liao, Longhui, Evelyn Ai Lin Teo, and Ruidong Chang. “Reducing Critical Hindrances to Building Information Modeling Implementation: The Case of the Singapore Construction Industry.” Applied Sciences, vol. 9, no.18, 2019. Web.
Pantelides, C. P., and Thapa, D. Self-Centering Bridge Bent for Accelerated Bridge Construction (No. MPC-545). Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2021. Web.
Reid, David J. “Ultrasonic Testing of Anchor Bolts.” FOCUS, vol. 19, no. 1, 2020. Web.
Scarpitti, Nicholas, et al. “Recycling Unrecycled Plastic and Composite Wastes as Concrete Reinforcement.” Journal of Composites Science, vol. 7, no.1, 2023. Web.