Adapted, in part, from “Dead Certain: Eleven lethal workplace sins – plus one – pose consequences too big to risk,” originally published in WorkSafe Magazine, May / June 2009, p. 16-17.

In the mid-80s WorkSafeBC identified “11 deadly sins” or unsafe work practices that should be avoided at all costs. They are not necessarily responsible for the highest number of injuries, but as safety violations can lead to the most life-shattering injuries and disease – or even death.

Even though it is almost 30 years later, many employers and workers still forget the deadly sins. Today’s owners face a variety of risks when they undertake a construction project. Not only must they be concerned with potential risks to their employees, tenants, or property, but they must also be concerned about the risks that the contractor bears. Safety is a critical item on all construction projects for multiple reasons including protecting the welfare of employees, providing a safe work environment, and controlling construction costs.

In an effort to reduce the number of injuries and accidents, more employers across the province are focusing on training employees in basic workplace safety. Safety training is important not only at the worker level, but at all levels within the organization. This is where the Construction Safety Association of BC (CSABC) can play an important role, as the association offers courses for supervisors, owners/managers, and workers, that include a specific focus on meeting due diligence requirements.

The following are seven lethal workplace sins specifically related to construction:

Asbestos Exposure Risks

Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs, and mesothelioma, a tumor, result from exposure to asbestos that occurred many decades earlier and are two of the most frequent causes of fatalities in the construction industry. Asbestos is well-recognized as a health hazard and is highly regulated. Nearly 42 percent of the fatal claims accepted by WorkSafeBC in 2007 were the result of exposure to asbestos and each year an average of 19 construction workers in BC die of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases representing $14.9 million in claims.

Confined Space Risks

These risks involve exposing workers to situations or conditions that are immediately dangerous to life or to health. Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. Entry into confined spaces can be very dangerous. Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are in place, workers must not be allowed to enter such spaces.

Unsafe Excavation

This includes working in an excavation over four feet without adequately supporting or sloping the sides of the excavation or adopting other safeguards allowed by the regulation. An example is a worker who recently entered an unshored, unsloped, 14-foot excavation, which collapsed on his head, killing him instantly.

Lack of Fall Protection

Falls are the most frequent and most costly across the construction sector. They represent one quarter of all claim volumes and 44 percent of all claim costs. According to WorkSafeBC, lack of fall protection produces 20 times the serious injury rate and the highest number of penalties and orders issued of any other workplace situation.

Roll Over Dangers

Roll over dangers occur when operating mobile equipment while failing to have rollover protective structures where required by regulation and failing to install or use seatbelts as required.

Lockout Violation

Lockout is the use of locks to prevent machinery or equipment from being started accidentally when maintenance work is being done. Every year, workers are seriously injured because machinery or equipment was not properly locked out. This could result in crushed limbs, severed fingers, or death.
Unsafe Practices Near Powerlines

This refers to working within specified minimum distances from unguarded overhead energized high voltage electrical conductors without complying with regulation.

The Construction Safety Association of British Columbia is the construction industry’s trusted partner in construction safety training. A non-profit organization owned and operated by the construction industry of British Columbia, CSABC builds safety through training, offering a range of safety courses that provides safety training at all levels — owner, manager, supervisor, and worker, and includes the Certificate of Recognition Program, a WorkSafeBC incentive rebate program. For more information, visit <www.csabc.ca>.