Impact of Construction Machinery and Tools on Non-Fatal Injuries in the Building Processes

Abstract

Factors contributing to construction machines, hand tools and power tools in building multistory buildings have been investigated. 212 non-fatal injuries have been analyzed in terms of identification of type of machine and tool used, indirect cause of injury, the way in which injury has occurred, severity, injured body parts and the role of the injured worker in the work process. Research has shown that trucks and tower cranes are the riskiest machines while circular saw, grinder and drilling machine are the riskiest mechanical tools. Wheelbarrow and hammer are the riskiest hand tools. Most of the injuries happen due to the "Incorrect realization of work operation". Operators are the most injured workers considering all types of machines except tower cranes. Severity levels are higher when machines and mechanical tools are used. Hand-arm and foot-leg are the most vulnerable body parts but body-torso and other multiple injuries are right behind. "Struck by an object", "Struck against", "Caught in, under or between", "Fall to level below" and "Excessive physical strain and exhaustion of the organism" are the most probable ways for an injury to occur while using construction machinery and tools.

Keywords

• construction
• health and safety
• machines
• severities
• tools