RISK ASSESSMENT IN A WELDING AND CONSTRUCTION

SITE.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
A safety risk assessment was conducted in the afore stated site (welding and
construction site), several hazards were observed at the site, these hazards
ranges from fire hazards (absence of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems
makes this case life threatening considering the facts that possible gas leaks
were likely at the site) to heat hazards, mental stress, poor posture, eye
strain, noise discomfort , awkward design of workplace and location of
equipment, presence of sharp edges and improper use of personal protective
equipment amongst others.
The persons at risk were determined and a safety and effective evaluation
have been done, safety measures were prescribed such as serious training,
full implementation of the personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, proper
and improved administrative and engineering procedures etc. These
measures were reviewed and found to suite health, safety and environmental
standards provided strict adherence to the precautionary measures is
ensured. This will enable workers and residents around the site work and live
safely.

INTRODUCTION

This is a report of safety assessment of a welding and construction site which

took place on the 17th day of January 2015 and was reviewed on 20th
February 2015. Activities like metal joining, filling, brazing, and shielding
takes place at the site of assessment.
Other welding activities included professional welding, these welding
amongst others included ; shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), metal arc
welding (MAW), gas tungsten metal arc, oxy-fuel arc, carbon arc etc.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Inadequate supply of appropriate and effective personal protective
equipment (PPE)
Improper usage of the personal protective equipment (PPE)
Improper storage of compressor gas, oxygen cylinders, fuel and gas
cylinders, welding and other highly combustible materials located close
to electrical spark (ignition) point.
Poor engineering constructions design at workstations for work at
elevated heights.
Poor posture on certain welding tasks.
Poor electrical installations poorly insulated and protected cables, poor
socketing, flexible wire, electrical fittings etc.
Protective provisions for other welding and cutting hazards like zinc,
cadmium, beryllium, mercury, lead, carbon monoxide ozone nitrogen
oxides, fluorides, chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents and other
destructive gaseous fumes which could have long term effect on
welding and cutting workers are not in place.
Noise discomfort and ultraviolet radiations problems.

CONTROL MEASURES

The following safety control measures have however been

implemented to reduce, minimize and render harmless the above
stated hazards.
Induction and proper training have been conducted on the

workers on the proper usage of personal protective equipment.

Proper electrical installation has been done.
Proper installations, insulation and earthing of working cables are

being implemented by professional electrical engineers.

Redesign of workplace and machinery has been done by
engineers.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

It is in this vain that significant changes in welding and construction
practices in the site and reduction in the breach of occupational exposure
limits to hazards. Based on this report and improvements observed during
review, it is recommended that the work station layout under scrutiny should
be situated outside a densely populated area. Regular supervision and
inspection should be encouraged.