8.General hazards and risks#

8.1Introduction#

This section illustrates some of the general hazards and risks that may be encountered while performing construction or maintenance work on, or adjacent to, a road.

8.2Working in low light or at night time#

Workers required to work at night, or in low light, may be exposed to a number of risks including:

• Being struck by moving vehicles.
• Slipping, tripping and falling.

Examples of controlling the hazards and risks when working at night or in low light include:

• Having at least two workers working at any time.
• Providing additional lighting.
• Wearing fluorescent and/or retroreflective clothing including vests and gaiters.

8.3Sun and heat#

People who spend a lot of time in the sun risk developing:

• Skin cancer.
• Other skin disorders.
• Eye injuries.
• Heat stress.
• Heat-related illnesses.

Every workplace should carry out its own assessment of sun exposure, identify tasks that place workers at risk, and control workers’ sun exposure.

Heat stress occurs when heat is absorbed from the environment faster than the body can get rid of it. Several factors may contribute to heat stress, such as the:

• Type of work activity.
• Surrounding air temperature/humidity level.
• Physical condition of the individual.

Some examples of controlling exposure to sun and heat are:

• Wearing personal protection (e.g. sunscreen, sunglasses, and suitable clothing).
• Taking precautions and setting time limits spent working in the sun during summer’s highest risk time – between 9 am and 3 pm.
• Reorganising work schedules so that outdoor tasks are done early in the morning or late in the day.
• Rotating or job-share tasks that involve direct sun exposure.
• Implementing easy ‘sun smart’ policies, such as a directive that workers drive with their vehicle windows up between 9 am and 3 pm.
• Planning the work around the movement of the sun, (e.g. do outdoor work on the western and northern side of a building in the morning, and work on the eastern and southern sides in the afternoon).
• Taking rest or meal breaks in shady areas.
• Drinking plenty of cool water.
• Adjusting the workload gradually when starting or returning to work in hot conditions; generally, the process takes about a week.
• Wearing specialised liquid or air-cooled clothing in extreme conditions.
• Screening workers for heat tolerance.
• Following a doctor’s advice before working in hot conditions if you are on any medication such as:
• Sedatives.
• Tranquilisers.
• Antidepressants.
• Amphetamines.
• Antispasmodics.
• Diuretics.
• Medication affecting blood pressure.
• Having a plan in place for treating heat affected workers.

Information on sun safety and heat stress is available on www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

8.4Fatigue#

Fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion that prevents a person functioning normally. However, fatigue is more than just feeling tired or drowsy.

Fatigue is caused by prolonged periods of physical and/or mental exertion without enough time to rest and recover. The level of fatigue varies and depends on factors such as:

The effects of fatigue include:

• a decrease in performance and productivity
• an increase in the potential for incidents and injuries to occur.

Examples of controlling risks associated with fatigue include:

• limiting shift work to core duties that must be completed at night
• redesigning work practices so routine administrative tasks are minimised for night shift workers
• scheduling later start times, so that the worker has a maximum nights sleep before starting work, but without affecting the night shift workers
• scheduling low risk work during periods of high fatigue
• scheduling complex tasks to be performed only during the day
• providing sufficient supervision, particularly during periods of high fatigue, and especially for hazardous work
• having contingency plans to remove fatigued workers from work activities, where there is a considerable risk to workplace health and safety
• having effective emergency responses in place
• implementing strict controls and procedures for workers performing hazardous work during high fatigue periods
• rotating jobs particularly for repetitive tasks, or work that involves heavy physical demands
• providing workers with information on the symptoms of fatigue
• encouraging all workers to identify the early signs of fatigue in workmates.

Information on fatigue is available on www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

8.5Slips, trips and falls#

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the risk of slips, trips and falls, including:

• contaminants
• floor surfaces
• cleaning
• obstacles and other trip hazards
• environment
• people and activity
• footwear.

It is usually a combination of these factors that create the risk of a slip or trip. Slips usually occur when there is a loss of grip between the shoe and the ground surface. This commonly occurs when there is a contaminant between the shoe and the surface.

Trips occur when a person’s foot hits a low obstacle in the person’s path, causing a loss of balance. Often the obstacle is not easily visible or noticed.

Examples of controlling risks associated with slips, trips and falls include:

• removing slip and trip hazards at the design stage
• limiting access to high risk areas
• marking clearly any changes in ground surface
• implementing good housekeeping practices, such as clear access ways and prompt spills management
• wearing suitable footwear
• providing adequate control measures for people working on steep batters
• providing adequate lighting for the task.

Information on slips, trips and falls can be found in the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Guide to preventing slips, trips and falls available on www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

8.6Noise#

Excessive noise is unwanted sound which may damage a person’s hearing. Excessive noise is made up of two parts – the period of time you are exposed to the noise and the loudness of the noise. Continuous noise exposure above 85 decibels during an eight-hour day is considered to be excessive noise.

A noise assessment should be carried out when workers and others may be exposed to excessive noise levels. The general aim of a noise assessment is to:

• identify all people likely to be exposed to excessive noise
• obtain information on noise sources and associated work practices
• check the effectiveness of measures taken to reduce noise exposure
• choose appropriate personal hearing protectors for persons exposed to risks from excessive noise, and
• define hearing protection areas at work.

Examples of controlling noise in the workplace are:

• obtaining specifications relating to noise level emissions from the suppliers of plant so appropriate levels of noise protection can be provided
• redesigning machinery power sources to give quiet speed regulation
• repairing loose and rotating parts, replacing worn bearings and gears, and regular maintenance
• reducing noise at the source, where appropriate, by adding:
• noise barriers
• noise enclosures
• vibration isolation mountings
• laggings
• mufflers
• silencers
• organising schedules, so noisy work is done during a particular part of the shift, or when as few people as possible are present
• notifying people in advance when noisy work is to be carried out to limit their exposure to it, and
• providing hearing protection for workers.

Information on noise can be found in the Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice available on www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

8.7Recycled water#

Water is used on roads and road-related areas for various purposes, including dust control and filling plastic traffic barriers during construction work and maintenance activities.

Workplaces usually obtain water for various processes from the drinking water (potable water) supply mains. However, workplaces may also obtain water from a variety of non-potable water sources including:

• recycled water from sewage and waste water treatment plants
• stormwater storages, including from dams, creeks, and rainwater tanks
• greywater from showers and laundries
• industrial processes, and
• agricultural irrigation (e.g. run-off water).

The quality of non-potable water will vary, depending on its source and the level of treatment applied and may contain biological hazards, such as:

• bacteria
• viruses
• protozoa
• helminths (e.g. worms)
• chemical and metal residues.

Non-potable water, including recycled water, is considered to be a substance under the WHS Act. Under the WHS Act, manufacturers, suppliers and users of non-potable water in a workplace have a duty to prevent death, injury or illness being caused by the substance (i.e. non-potable water).

Information on recycled water can be found in the Guide to the workplace use of non-potable water including recycled waters available on www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

8.8Inclement weather#

Provided work is arranged to minimise hazards associated with wet weather, and safe systems of work are followed, work at construction workplaces can continue safely. The main factors which affect safe construction work in wet weather are:

• slippery, wet floor surfaces, steps and footholds
• excavations caving in
• electrical hazards - wet electrical cords, cables, sockets, power points and power equipment
• slippery tools, handles and other hand grip surfaces
• reduced manual dexterity in some tasks
• lightning strikes during thunderstorms, and
• contamination from flooded sewerage systems.

If the weather is excessively cold, workers may be affected by reduced feeling and function in the hands or feet, which could lead to inattentiveness and distraction, increasing the risk of unsafe practices.

Wet, windy or cold weather does not necessarily make construction work unsafe, provided safe systems of work can be implemented. These can include:

• monitoring weather forecasts, so alternative tasks can be planned a day or more ahead, and
• ensuring all electric cables are raised to a safe height above the ground.

When planning long-term jobs, consider programming work, which could be affected by rain, for drier months.

Special note should be made of the consequences that can result from lightning strikes during thunderstorms. These lightning strikes have the ability to cause death or serious injury to workers caught out in the open, especially to those workers interacting with metal objects. A prime example is the traffic controller holder a metal stop/go sign that can act as a lightning conductor.

Information on lightning protection can be found in AS/NZS 1768:2007.

8.9Hazardous manual tasks#

The Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice provides practical guidance to PCBUs on how to manage the risk of musculoskeletal disorders arising from hazardous manual tasks in the workplace. It applies to all types of work and all workplaces where manual tasks are carried out. Manual tasks include activities requiring a person to:

• grasp
• manipulate

• strike
• throw
• carry
• move (lift, lower, push, pull)
• hold or restrain an object, load or body part.

Examples of controlling risks associated with hazardous manual tasks include:

• bending at the knees when lifting objects
• obtaining the assistance of another worker
• modifying the handling task.

Information on hazardous manual tasks can be found in the Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice available on www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.