Evaluation of Safety Program in HP Binondo Builders Basis for New Safety Program

Development

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Presented to
the Faculty of Engineering and Aviation
UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP SYSTEM LAGUNA
Biñan City, Laguna

In partial fulfilment
of the course requirements for the degree of
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Members:
Bartolay, Franco Noah
Ednalaga, Peter George
Gregorio, John Paulo
Guab, John Henry
Sanchez, Rommel
 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Settings

Introduction

Misbehaviour of safety & health control is the main reason for construction industry

accidents & injuries (Arante, 2011). Construction works contribute to the large-scale statistics of

occupational accidents in the world. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health

Administration), it is ascertained that there are at least 60,000 fatal accidents on construction

sites annually around the world. It continues to have the worst record in the area of occupational

accidents compared to other sectors of economic activity. Construction sites are one of the

industries that is susceptible to occupational accidents due to its complexity, dynamic and

decentralized nature (Li, Lu, Hsu, Gray, & Huang, 2015).

As a result, corporations recognized that their staff and fellow workers' security, health & 

safety deserve the highest priority (OSHA, 2011). Department Order 13 series of 1998, the

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mandates all construction projects to have a plan

for building safety and health. According to Bienvenido E. Laguesma, DOLE Secretary, it is

necessary to take into account the protection and welfare of workers employed in the

construction industry, the protection and welfare of the public within and around the immediate

vicinity of any construction site and the promotion of harmonious employer-employee relations

in the construction sector (Arante, 2011).

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

According to (Choudhry, 2014), there was a specific study study that have been carried

out from different points of view in order to reduce the accident rates in construction sites.

Construction accidents poses a threat in the construction workers' health and safety as a result of

the dynamic nature of the industry combined with diverse but dangerous operations carried out in

their job (Asan & Akasah, 2015).

Safety management program take accounts of all risks and accidents that are expected in

a construction site. It is imperative to identify appropriate safety actions and strategies to address

potential serious health & safety problems.

This study aims to evaluate the safety program of a certain company to reduce such risk

of injuries and accidents and control hazardous risks in construction workers.

Background of the Study

According to [ CITATION Sae17 \l 13321 ] , accidents are defined as an undesired event that

results in physical harm to people or damage to property. Accidents are mostly incurred by

workers while doing construction and demolition works, during site investigation, project survey

and project items implementation.

Workers need a safe and healthy environment to protect them from harm that would

affect their health and efficiency while working. There are factors that affects safety on

construction site which includes poor safety awareness, lack of training, poor safety awareness of

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

safety engineers and reluctance to input resources to safety and reckless operations. Three

elements are needed by workers in behaving safely, it is the knowledge, equipment on works and

motivation on how to operate safely. The elements must be carried out by workers all the time to

enhance safety in the construction site.

Developing a project culture that would support safety in construction site was

thoroughly based on good working relationships and clear communication between the workers

and safety engineers. It is also important to have a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) hazard

assessment and training on how to use the equipment properly. It should apply a set of standard

operating procedure for personnel and train employees on the limitations of the PPE and its

maintenance. After the procedures, it is up to the workers' responsibilities in executing their

work by having a clear mind while doing work. The workers should also express their concerns

and ideas to the management and safety engineer. Besides that, it is crucial for the workers to

have a sense of responsibility to comply with all the rules and regulations effective in the

company's disposal.

HP Binondo Builders is the chosen company that the researchers will evaluate due to

factors regarding the workers' behavior towards working in a construction site that would result

in accidents.

The company is located in Putingkahoy, Silang, Cavite. It is a small-scale construction

firm that started in a small shop that focuses on glassworks until it became a construction

company that builds swimming pools, residential houses and water tanks.

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

The ongoing construction of H.P. Binondo Builders is a swimming pools that located at

(specific location –di pa sinasabi ni riri busy siguro-). The observation will do 2 to 4 times a

week depending on the researcher's free time. The site visit contains 5 to 6 hours a day is enough

to observe the construction workers about how they concern with their safety using PPE during

construction.

Conceptual Framework

Lack of
attention
from
leaders
Poor
Reckless
information
flow action

Factors
Affecting
Safety
Non-
effective Poor safety
conscientious
operation -ness of
on safety managers
regulation

Lack of
training

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework

Discussion of the conceptual framework

From the chart above, the discussion of conceptual framework about factors affecting

safety were divided into six factors. Lack of attention from leaders, poor information flow,

reckless action, non-effective operation on safety regulation, poor safety conscientiousness of

managers. These factors are the ones that the construction workers risk their safety & health. The

safety officer must guide the workers to reduce the risk. Workers just do their work to finish the

project, but the risk of work doesn't matter at all.

Another reason is that some workers are ignoring their safety officer's command of their

personal protective equipment gear wear. They're not using it or some safety gear has been worn

out. Safety officers must check the workers safety gear (PPEs) every week or every day. And

also some safety officers have forgotten how to manage their construction workers. They don't

know how risky construction could be for their workers. So the workers are just doing their job

without any safety awareness.

Most of the workers have a lack of training, knowledge, experience in their field of work,

particularly in construction work sites. This is the main reason why workers are involved in

accidents / injuries. There is no special training or seminar on how to do this kind of risky work.

Workers must be trained before they get to work.

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

Operational Framework

Input Process Output

Current Safety Observation Improved
Program Site Inspection Safety Program
Implentation of Reduction of
New Safety Risks and
Program Accidents

Figure 1.2 Operational Framework

The operational framework shows how the implementation of the New Safety Program

will reduce the risks and accidents from the current safety program.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the safety program in HP Binondo Builders

basis for new safety program development. This study aims to know the following sub-problems.

1. What are the problems encountered with the current safety program?

2. What is the level of effectiveness of current safety program of the company?

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

3. What safety programs can be developed from the problems encountered?

4. What is the level of effectiveness of proposed safety program?

5. Is there any significant difference between current safety program & proposed safety

programs in terms of level of effectiveness?

Significance of the Study:

1. This study will provide proposed safety program to the construction workers about

the dangerous risks in the building process.

2. This study will provide protocols that will ensure the workers’ safety.

3. This study will provide information for future researchers regarding the problems and

possible solutions for awareness among construction workers.

4. This study will help H.P Binondo Builders to minimize the accidents during
construction.

5. This study will serve as a guide for workers to prevent accidents and avoid problems

in the company and their respective families.

Scope and Delimitation

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

The focus of this research is to evaluate how the company’s safety program manage their

construction workers and to search for possible way to reduce injuries and accidents on

construction sites even though it has their own protocol when it comes to safety management

program.

In this study the researchers will evaluate the current situation of the safety program that

has been applied in their company to know and conclude that their protocol has been a great

factor on their construction workers.

The focus of this research is to evaluate how the company’s safety management program

to ensure their worker’s safety while working and to search for alternate ways in reducing

injuries and accidents on construction sites.

Definitions of Terms:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – is an equipment to protect the person against injuries and

accidents at work.

Safety Management Program – a methodical approach to managing safety, including the

necessary organizational structures, policies and procedures.

Accident – an event that happens involuntarily that may cause fatal damage and death.

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

Injury -  an unnecessary cause of movement that can inflict strain in the body and may lead to

pain.

Evaluation – a method for collecting, analyzing and using information to answer some questions.

Basis – an option which where you can choose.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

State of the Art

This chapter presents the review of related literature and studies pertaining to the safety

programs of the construction companies. accidents

Construction Accidents

The OSHA’s Fatal Four in construction are falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions

and being caught in or between objects. These accidents can lead to the death of employees in

the workfield each year. Leading source of accident injuries in construction workplace are

building materials such as structural metals materials, pipes, ducts and tubing, and wood and

lumber. Nails and screws, which are used as fasteners, are also one of the causes of accidents.

Motion and position of the workers are self-inflicted accidents caused by their unmindfulness

while performing a certain task. Additionally, the rate of accidents due to the use of nonpowered

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

hand tools such as knives, boxcutter shovels, and hammers is much higher than the powered

tools like drills, power saws, grinders, and sanders. Irregularity of the surfaces in the construction

sites can also be hazardous for workers who roam around the workplace. As per the usage of

machineries, excavating machines, heating and cooling machines, and material and personnel

handling machines are also considered as one of the major causes of accidents in construction

sites (Jones, 2017).

Safety Measures in Construction Accidents

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a set of protective gears and garments that ensure

the safety of the wearer from the hazardous accidents caused by blunt impacts, electrical hazards,

extreme heat, poisonous chemicals, and infections. OSHA requires the workers to use the

personal protective equipment to avoid accidents and exposure of worker to hazards in the

workplaces. The implementation of PPE in workplace would require trainings of employees on

how to select, maintain and properly use of the equipment. In construction sites, the workers are

required to wear PPEs such as eye protection and face protection hearing protection, respiratory

protection, hand and arm protection, foot and leg protection, head protection, and body and fall

protection mechanisms. The result of the survey shows that construction workers on the site has

a lack of appropriate protective equipment when performing a task in the workplace. They are

not wearing protective equipment when carrying out highly hazardous activities such as painting,

excavations, etc. (G. Muiruri, 2014).

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

A badly planned and untidy site is the underlying cause of many accidents. This results

from falls of material and collisions between workers and plant or equipment. Space constraints,

particularly in urban work sites, are nearly always the biggest limiting factor and a layout which

caters best for the safety and health of workers may appear to be difficult to reconcile with

productivity. Proper planning by management is an essential part of preparation and budgeting

for the safe and efficient running of a construction operation. There are many accidents due to

tripping, slipping or falling over materials and equipment which have been left lying around, and

stepping on nails which have been left projecting from timber [ CITATION GMu14 \l 13321 ].

Accident Prevention

Project performance is enhanced with the safety improvements. There are several

publications highlighting various methodologies about upgrading the safety standards. Safety

enhancements should be proposed at the design stage of the project unless the designers have

adequate knowledge of the risk identification at design stage. Human resource development has a

significant effect on safety enhancements. The highest organizational level influence towards

accident is insufficient inspection, the second highest is training and the third is a lack of training

plan. Supervisors are key persons in any safety management system as they are the immediate

management staff for the workers. Their roles and responsibilities are vital for proper

implementation and maintaining of safety. Forming a psychologically safe environment for

humans has positive influence on safety enhancements. Proper planning and monitoring has

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

significant effect on SMS, IT based Safety related practices are found to be effective not only

safety but quality construction as well [ CITATION Asa15 \l 13321 ].

On the site, we need to ensure that it provides clear visibility for the workers. We should

install bright lights that are adequate and working. Check signage to prevent accidents and

ensure that it is properly installed. A tidy workplace would also help improve the work quality.

Remember that spills, breaks and unnecessary objects are cleaned up quickly to avoid slips and

trips (Liddle, 2017).

Synthesis of the State of the Art

The researchers believes that the guides acquired from OSHA, Safety Engineering

manuals, Safety Engineers interviews and on-site investigations will help improve the former

safety program. The advice of safety engineers and as well as the observations on workers of HP

Binondo Builders will also be important in designing the improved research program.

The collective resources gathered will be critically analyse during or as the research

progresses. Also, on-the-site visits will be conducted by the researchers regularly.

Gaps bridged by the Study

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

The researchers found out that construction sites accidents continues to happen on HP

Binondo Builders. As an example, a case wherein one of their workers injured himself while

crafting a glass furniture. Accidents like this urged the researchers to provide an effective safety

program that will help lessen the number of construction sites accident here in HP Binondo

Builders. The former Safety Program will be re-evaluated to minimize such accidents, by

designing an effective safety program for HP Binondo Builders the researcher are optimistic that

this will be key on improving the safety of HP Binondo Builders workers.

CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A. Research Design

The researchers will evaluate the company’s safety management program for their

workers while doing construction works. The researchers will conduct an interview on one of the

safety engineers/officers assigned to manage the workers’ safety. The researchers will also

conduct historical events that will determine whether the company has experienced accidents and

injuries. This study will focus on evaluating the safety management program of the company to

improve workers’ awareness towards safety protocols.

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

B. Sources of Data

1. Primary Sources

 Company’s Data

2. Secondary Sources

 Internet

 Journals

 Interviews

 Newspapers

C. Data Gathering Procedure

The data gathering procedure in this research will be conducted to evaluate the safety program

of the company. Hence, the following steps will be carried out: 

1. Determining the safety management program that the company implements.

2. Determining the major and minor accidents and injuries in the working

environment. 

3. Determining the hazardous accidents which may lead to fatality and death. 

4. Interview 

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

 The researchers will ask the safety engineer/s or safety officers on how they

manage their worker’s safety during working hours.

 The researchers will seek an advice to a Safety Engineer/Officer.

4. Supporting Statistical Data 

 The researchers will request historical data on the company about injuries and

accidents that happened in their company. 

 The researchers will ask historical data about accidental events that happened in

the history of their company. 

References

Asanka, W., & Ranasinghe, M. (2015). Study on the Impact of Accidents on Construction

Projects. 6th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction

Management, 58-67.

G. Muiruri, C. M. (2014). Health and Safety Mangement on Construction Projects Sites in

Kenya. FIG Congress 2014, 14.

Jones, K. (2017, June 14). Top Causes of Construction Accident Injuries and How to Prevent

Them. Retrieved from Top Causes of Construction Accident Injuries and How to Prevent

Them: https://www.constructconnect.com

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 University of Perpetual Help System Laguna
City of Biñan, Laguna
College of Engineering, Architecture & Aviation
(+632) 520-8290 local 3006 / (+63) 9228900917

Kadiri, Z. O., Nden, T., Avre, G. K., Oladipo, T. O., Edom, A., Samuel , P. O., & Ananso, G. N.

(2014). Causes and Effects of Accidents on Construction Sites (A Case Study of SOme

Selected Construction Firms in Abuja F.C.T. Nigeria). IOSR Jounral of Mechanical and

Civil Engineering, 66-72.

Nadhim, E. A., Hon, C., Xia, B., Stewart, I., & Fang, D. (2016 ). Falls from Height in the

Construction Industry: A Critical Review of the Scientific Literature. International

Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Pillay, J., Ryan, R., & Charles, M. (2007). Guide to best practice for safer construction:

literature review. CRC Construction Innovation, Building Our Future.

Saeed, Y. S. (2017). Safety Management in Construction Projects

Arante, B. S. (2011). The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program of Construction

Companies Contracted by Educational Institutions. UIC Research Journal.

https://doi.org/10.17158/192

OSHA. (2011). Routes of Exposure How Employers Can Protect Workers. Formaldehyde-

Factsheet.

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