Identification and assessment of hazards posed by dangerous and harmful factors at workstations in the construction industry, and the development of prevention recommendations

Project manager: Witold Mikulski Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

"While identifying hazards at construction sites, the 4 most common harmful factors were considered: noise (audible and infrasonic), mechanical vibrations (general and local), chemical factors and dusts. Construction of housing and of roads were studied. Pilot studies concerned harmful factors at workstations in the construction industry, with view to include them in developing and in verifying the method of conducting research proper (measurement and assessment of exceeded Maximum Admissible Concentrations and Maximum Admissible Intensities). Physical and chemical factors affect human in different ways; that is why they were considered separately, especially that they were usually present at different workstations. A commonly used method was used to study harmful factors at workstations (excluding noise). To assess noise (both audible and infrasonic), it was necessary to adapt an existing method to the specificity of work at construction sites: long-term changes in exposure to noise, which result from seasonal character of work. On the basis of the results a prototype database on hazards was developed. It is a computer program written in DELPHI. It includes databases indispensable for testing; they contain information on the occurrence of hazards posed by dangerous factors at workstations in the construction industry and recommendations for prevention in reducing hazards."

Unit: Department of Vibroacoustic Hazards

Duration: 01.01.2002 – 31.12.2004