Risk Assessment: Construction and Civil Works
Workers Affected by Works Hazards
RISK
90 Blows/cuts caused by objects or tools.
RISK FACTORS
- Knocks and cuts due to handling wood, rebars, material shapes (slabs of prefabricated concrete, bricks, etc.) and when using hand tools (radial cutters/grinders, drills, hammers, spanners, etc.), circular saws, cement mixers and vibrators.
- Blows to the hand when nailing shuttering.
- Being hit by the chute of the cement mixer during in-service manoeuvres.
- Knocks and cuts due to handling photovoltaic cells and solar panels, as well as the structure that supports them.
- Being hit by the hose of the pump during concrete-laying tasks.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Rules for acting
- Use each tool only for the job it is designed for.
- Use machinery and tools with the CE mark.
- Permanent alertness to carry out work safely.
- Carry out maintenance of machinery and tools prior to the job.
- Check the earthing and safety elements of circular saws: protective guard and cut-dividing blade (board splitter).
- Store and transport tools in an appropriate manner.
- Keep tools well ordered.
- Training in their use and information on their inherent hazards.
- Use tools in a perfect state of repair, immediately replacing those that have deteriorated during work for others in good condition.
- Whenever possible, protect the corners and parts that may be sharp of parts or materials to be handled.
- Check that the cleaning ball is ejected from the pump hose.
- Two people are to hold the hose when laying concrete.
- For more details on Health and Safety Regulations regarding the handling of tools, machinery and vehicles, consult Appendix III of the present Assessment.
Circular saws:
- Circular saws are to be handled only by expressly authorised personnel with knowledge of safe work procedures.
- Saws are to be in a perfect state of repair, as are their guards.
- An element is always to be used to push small parts.
- The bench area and its surroundings are to be free of obstacles.
- A crate or the equivalent is to be used to collect the cut-offs and remains that are generated, not piling these up directly on the ground.
Personal protection
- Gloves, goggles and safety footwear (with metal toecaps).
