The fatality and injury rates in the construction industry continue to rise. Too many workers are being killed and injured on construction sites. Falls, in particular, have increased 8% from 2003 to 2004. Steel erection, as a result of new regulations and industry concentration, reduced its fall rate by 33% from 2003 to 2004. These regulations impacted all segments of the industry. Engineers and contractors now have specific requirements for numbers of anchor bolts at columns, certification of footing concrete, and design of double connections in steel beams are severely restricted. Specific requirements have also been placed on the controlling contractor (GC/Prime). Continuing development of regulations, consensus standards, industry practice, and training requirements will have significant future effects on all segments of the industry and subsequently impact on how these sectors, including engineers, will function in the future.
The Construction Site Safety Committee is a continually-developing repository of knowledge of current developments in construction site safety management techniques, regulations, industry standards, and best practices. Through its participation and communication with all sectors of the industry, the committee makes available this knowledge base to CI through programs, Web site and emails. The committee desires to increase the awareness of the need for construction site safety by working with other organizations in the construction industry with the overall objective of reducing and/or eliminating injuries and fatalities on jobsites.
Recognizing the Engineer’s Code of Ethics’ requirement for working for the benefit of mankind, the committee feels all in the construction industry and the public in general will benefit if injuries and fatalities are reduced and/or eliminated. In addition to the traumatic personal losses caused by death and injury, numerous studies indicate that injury/fatality rates are directly correlated to the cost of construction. By reducing accidents and injuries, everyone will share in the financial benefits. Owners will see lower insurance rates, contractors will have better experience modification rates and workers and their families will benefit by being able to work in a safe environment. These efforts will benefit all members of CI by increasing the safety and profitability of construction.
To learn more about what the Construction Site Safety committee is doing and learn how you can get involved, contact Marvin Oey at moey@asce.org or 703-295-6397. In addition, the Construction Site Safety Committee will be showcased at the CI Annual Membership meeting in Dallas, TX June 22, 2007.
Construction Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers