Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths in Loudoun. County, Virginia

Transcription

1 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 1 Running Head: MINIMIZING CONSTRUCTION RELATED INJURIES & DEATHS Strategies for Community Risk Reduction Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths in Loudoun County, Virginia Kevin T. Stiles Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management, Leesburg, Virginia June 2008

2 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 2 CERTIFICATION STATEMENT I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product, that where the language of others is set forth, quotation marks so indicate, and that appropriate credit is given where I have used the language, ideas, expressions, or writings of another. Signed:

3 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 3 Abstract The problem is that the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management has responded to a significant number of severe construction accidents. The purpose of the research is to determine the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, Virginia and present methods that can minimize the number of emergency construction accidents. Specific research questions include; What are the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, Virginia? Why is the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management responding to a high number of construction related accidents? What methods can be implemented to minimize construction related injuries and deaths in Loudoun County, Virginia? The primary research method was descriptive research in determining the leading causes of construction related injuries and deaths, why these incidents are happening, and offering solutions that can minimize these accidents from occurring. Information concerning construction accidents was obtained from the Loudoun County Computer Aided Dispatch system in determining the number incidents occurring over a 7 ½ year span along with a survey from locally authorized ALS providers. The results indicated that injuries from falls (50.3 %) and death by electrocution (25%) were the most significant issues faced in Loudoun County. The recommendations to minimize construction related accidents includes training all construction workers on the inherent risks in the industry, making personal protective equipment available and mandating its

4 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 4 use by the workers, employ proper construction site housekeeping, and to minimize human errors by taking responsibility and applying risk management practices.

5 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 5 Table of Contents Abstract 3 Table of Contents. 5 Introduction..6 Background and Significance Literature Review Procedures.. 13 Results 15 Figure 1: Loudoun County Construction Accidents...15 Figure 2: Loudoun County Fall Injuries..16 Figure 3: Loudoun County Construction Site Deaths by Cause Figure 4: Contributing Factors of Construction Accidents.. 19 Discussion..20 Recommendations..22 References..25 Appendix 1: Loudoun County Construction Incidents (ALS)...27 Appendix 2: Loudoun County Construction Incidents (BLS) Appendix 3: Loudoun County Construction Incidents (Electrocution & Trench) 31 Appendix 4: Loudoun County Construction Accident Questionnaire Appendix 5: Loudoun County Construction Accident Questionnaire Report...33

6 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 6 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths in Loudoun County, Virginia Introduction Loudoun County, Virginia has experienced significant growth in terms of both population and erection of various occupancies. Construction is constant with the building of homes and businesses needed as part of the critical community infrastructure. Emergency incident responses for construction site accidents have risen with this rapid expansion of homes and businesses within Loudoun County. Although employees in the construction industry are given basic safety tools and personal protective equipment along with the required safety training, accidents contributing to injuries and deaths still occur. To date, the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management (LCFREM) has contributed minimal resources in identifying and ultimately preventing these types of accidents from occurring. The problem is that LCFREM has responded to a significant number of severe construction accidents between the periods of January 1, 2000 through May 1, These 151 emergency incidents caused injuries that included everything as simple as an injury to an extremity, to a serious air medical ambulance evacuation to the closest trauma center. Four incidents resulted in the loss of a human life; two incidents by electrocution, one incident by being run-over, and one incident by being crushed. Construction site safety programs are widely available that stress the importance of safety while working in construction, but it is not based on the local problems in Loudoun County, Virginia. The purpose of the research is to determine the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, Virginia and present methods that can minimize the number of emergency construction accidents.

7 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 7 The descriptive research method was used to determine the leading causes of construction related injuries and deaths, why these incidents are happening, and offering solutions that can minimize these accidents from occurring. The research questions include; What are the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, Virginia? Why is the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management responding to a high number of construction related accidents? What methods can be implemented to minimize construction related injuries and deaths in Loudoun County, Virginia? Background and Significance LCFREM is a County based Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Emergency Management organization within Northern Virginia located 25 miles from Washington, DC. The county remained relatively stagnant in terms of population, housing, and business growth until the erection of the America On Line (AOL) headquarters located within Loudoun s boundaries in The population for Loudoun County was 86,129 in calendar year 1990, 169,599 in calendar year 2000 (96.9 percent change within 10 years), and is estimated at 281,636 for calendar year 2008 (60.2 percent change within eight years) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008). The population is expected to continue growing, increasing by 39 percent over the next 10 years from 2007 to Loudoun County has remained within the top 10 fastest growing counties in the Country with it being named number one in the year Loudoun County currently resides at number eight with respect to population growth as of 2006 (Christie, 2006).

8 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 8 Loudoun County currently has an estimated 101,481 housing units that consist of single and multi family homes. This number includes both detached and attached homes (town homes, duplexes, condos, and quadplexes) and also includes rental apartment complexes and mobile homes. This is an increase of 63% from 62,160 housing units in calendar year 2000 (Loudoun County, Virginia). Furthermore, Loudoun County has projected an estimated total of 112,482 housing units for calendar year The construction of new homes is forecasted to continue growing within the county for many years, adding and with it is the possibility of construction related injuries and deaths. Office, industrial, retail, and other (hospitals, schools, self storage, churches, etc) building trends have also risen in Loudoun County. In 1996, the annual square feet permits issued in Loudoun County were 355,684 for office space, 262,625 for industry, 533,283 for retail, and 695,943 for other for a combined square footage of 1,847,535 (Loudoun County, Virginia). In calendar year 2000, the total square footage permits were 7,999,166, an annual increase of 332%. In calendar year 2006, the total square footage permits were 4,108,329, an annual increase of 122% over a 10 year span. Although the permitted square footage of industry and businesses has decreased over a six year span, construction for these occupancies still continues and adds to potential for construction related accidents. With such a rapid population and necessary construction growth, the number of construction site injuries and deaths has also increased. LCFREM has responded to numerous construction site accidents resulting in injuries and deaths, although these account for a small percentage of the total number of accidents that are actually happening. Unfortunately, emergency services are rarely summoned for construction site

9 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 9 injuries. The actual responses to these sites are usually for significant injuries where the patient was in critical condition or experiencing severe pain and fellow co-workers called 911 rather than transporting them to the closest medical facility. Between January 1, 2000 and May 1, 2008, LCFREM responded to 116 Advanced Life Support (ALS) and 25 Basic Life Support (BLS) construction incidents. In addition, LCFREM also responded to eight construction site accidents that were the direct result of electrocutions and two incidents of a collapsed trench excavation resulting in worker asphyxiation. These figures represent a small percentage of the total incidents that LCFREM annually responds too however, it is unacceptably high with respect to minimizing community loss reduction efforts. The highest percentage of construction incidents the department responds to is injuries from falls with a combined total of 76 incidents which represents 50.3% of all construction related incidents. This applied research paper contributes to the United States Fire Administration s (USFA) 5-year operational objective of helping communities develop comprehensive allhazard risk reduction plans (USFA), 2007). Construction site safety is not the primary mission of most fire or EMS organizations mission statements but protecting lives and property usually is. If research is performed and it portrays applicable information revealing increasing rates of construction accidents, efforts must be undertaken to limit these dangers to sustain a comprehensive risk reduction program in this area. The Strategies for Community Risk Reduction class offered by the National Fire Academy (NFA) identifies the concept of the five E s to use in any risk reduction strategy for the fire and emergency medical services. Education, enforcement, engineering, economic incentive, and emergency response all contribute to the

10 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 10 development of realistic, comprehensive, and effective solutions (NFA, 2007). Identifying the leading causes of construction site injuries and deaths and understanding why these accidents are occurring can lead to methods that can be implemented to minimize these accidents in Loudoun County, Virginia. Literature Review The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VDLI) ranks construction laborers as the third most hazardous occupation in the Commonwealth of Virginia (2000). No specific categorization could be located in identifying the types of injuries or deaths that were contributing to these statistics. While researching the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, construction injuries and deaths were categorized as falls, being struck, crushed, mechanical entrapment, electrocution, ran-over, and asphyxiation incidents. Several interviews were held with construction industry safety and/or compliance personnel at various sites throughout Loudoun County. Throughout each interview, the safety or compliance officer was apprehensive about releasing information concerning construction accidents other than that which has already been officially reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or by the generation of a 911 emergency incident. Each of the safety or compliance officers were concerned about potential violation citations if they were to freely release information to a member of the local fire department. Although the author stated that the information was only being used to portray an accurate picture of the current problem about construction injuries and deaths in Loudoun County, all of the safety or compliance officers declined to comment about the magnitude of the problem. However, most safety or compliance officers did

11 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 11 state that cuts and fall injuries were the most common incidents that happen on construction sites. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (September 2000) states that fall prevention measures can be general, varied, specific, or elaborate; and the recognition, planning, and implementation of a sound fall-prevention program is the first step in reducing falls in the workplace. Based on interviews from construction experts and information obtained from the Loudoun County ECC CAD system, construction injuries from falls ranging from 5 to 50 feet in are the most common form of injury that required the activation of the 911 system. Furthermore, the VDLI s (September, 2005) most frequently cited standard during construction inspections lists (b), Fall Protection-Unprotected sides and edges six feet or more above a lower level, as the most common violation within the Commonwealth of Virginia. From January 1, 2000 through May 1, 2008 there were a total of four deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County. Of these four deaths two were a direct result of electrocutions, one victim was run-over by a bull dozer, and the final victim was crushed by a structure collapse. In a presentation given at the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, Jeffress (2000) stated, We know what's killing construction workers. Its falls from elevations, electrical shock, being struck by machines or materials and being crushed, such as in a trench collapse. This glimpse of information given to an audience during the year 2000 mirrors what is happening in Loudoun County, Virginia today. LCFREM has been responding to a significant number of construction site injuries and deaths. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) (2003), research

12 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 12 has indicated that risks to health or safety arising out of work activities are a result of multiple dimensions. No single element can fix the amount of injuries or deaths in the construction industry because multiple areas must work harmoniously to limit accidents in this profession. Areas in need of improvement for risk reduction initiatives to succeed include housekeeping, personal protective equipment PPE, and proper tool usage on the job site. Training is required in most industries as specified by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDL), OSHA standards. Although the standards establish guidelines for training in particular areas, employers are allowed the latitude to train their workforce at a competent level as required. The guidelines are designed to help employers: (1) determine whether a worksite problem can be solved by training; (2) determine what training, if any, is needed; (3) identify goals and objectives for the training; (4) design learning activities; (5) conduct training; (6) determine the effectiveness of the training; and (7) revise the training program based on feedback from employees, supervisors, and others (USDL), 1996). Michaud (1995) states that you are required by law to train your employees in the safe ways to work. The construction industry has endured many changes as technology allows construction workers to be safer while employing many forms of PPE. However, current PPE is often uncomfortable and impedes performance (HSE, 2003). Often, PPE is looked towards as the solution for a problem rather than employing general housekeeping efforts or installing proper safeguards on construction sites. PPE should be a last rather than first resort for risk management in the construction industry (HSE, 2003).

13 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 13 Minimizing construction related injuries and deaths will be based on limiting hazards from the construction worksite in Loudoun County and providing all employees with the proper training and personal protective equipment. Goals provide a focus and direction for the work and they establish what the program aims to do and accomplish (USFA, 2007). Objectives are statements that outline how the goals will be accomplished. Three types of objectives are used in relationship to risk reduction initiatives that include outcome, impact, and process. NFA (2007) states that outcome objectives describe the long-term implications, impact objectives tells how change will occur in attitudes, knowledge, behaviors and the physical environment, and process objectives shows how well the program is working. Procedures The first phase of the research was identifying the issue of a significant number of severe construction accidents. In determining the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, a survey was taken regarding the number of emergency incidents to which LCFREM responded. Information was collected from the Loudoun County ECC CAD system to locate all construction related injuries from the period of January 1, 2000 through May 1, Loudoun County classifies emergency construction incidents into both BLS and ALS construction incidents. This classification is listed as the potential for bodily injury and the extent of the injury based on information received at the time of 911 call. Further data collection revealed other available information that was not listed as either a BLS or ALS construction accident. Some other incidents that occurred in Loudoun County that were in-fact construction related included both electrocutions and collapse incidents.

14 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 14 After identifying the seriousness of the problem, the second phase of the research was to categorize the construction site injuries and deaths. The data collected was analyzed to determine why there were 116 ALS construction accidents, 25 BLS construction accidents, eight electrocutions, and two collapse/asphyxiation injuries and/or deaths. After collecting data about the increase of construction site incidents LCFREM has responded to, the next phase of the research is to determine what caused the significant increase in the number of construction accidents. What are the contributing factors that lead to construction accidents? Why was Loudoun County experiencing so many construction accidents? A construction accident questionnaire was sent to 35 LCFREM ALS providers. The questionnaire was focused on getting a local perspective about why there was an increase in construction accidents and to ascertain contributing factors. The fourth phase of the research was taking the information that was collected and determining areas where risk reduction initiatives were needed. Based on the number of injuries and deaths in a specific area, understanding the casual factors for these incidents was paramount. The purpose of the research is to determine the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, Virginia and present a proposal to minimize these incidents. Limitations in the data include classifying emergency incidents inappropriately. Although emergency incident dispatch algorithms exist for listing a construction accident into either a BLS or ALS incident response, it is possible that some construction accidents were classified as a general fall, traumatic injuries, lacerations, and other types

15 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 15 of dispatched classifications. Loudoun County ECC dispatchers only follow the construction accident BLS or ALS algorithms if it is reported by the caller as a construction site. Supervisors on job sites do not always disclose that an injury happened on a construction site to limit the potential for OSHA involvement. Thus, not all of the information that can be available for reporting is available because it might have been classified as another type of dispatch algorithm. Results The first research question asked was; what are the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry in Loudoun County, Virginia. LCFEM responded to 151 emergency incident responses to construction sites from January 1, 2000 through May 1, The emergency incident responses came from four distinct categories; construction accidents BLS, construction accidents ALS, electrocutions, and asphyxiations. The BLS and ALS construction accidents were further broken down into varying injuries including back injuries, crushing injuries, collapse incidents, hand injuries, lacerations, leg injury, punctures, struck by an object, falls, and ran-over by a motorized apparatus. Figure 1 lists the various accidents in Loudoun County, Virginia. Figure 1 Loudoun County Construction Accidents

16 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 16 Loudoun County Construction Accidents Number of Incidents Asphyxiation Back Injury Collapse Crush Electrocution Hand Injury Laceration Leg Injury Puncture Ran-Over Struck Falls Types of Incidents Injuries resulting from falls were the highest percentage (50.3%) of all construction site incidents. The second highest percentage (30.5%) was being struck by an object. This included being struck by equipment, materials, and even falling materials landing on top of the construction laborers. Electrocution ranked as the third highest with 5.2% of the incidents where workers were electrocuted by a powered energy source. Construction site falling accidents as a result from working on various elevation heights were categorized as falls from 5 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, and 50 feet. No falls were reported from a height of 40 feet or at 60 feet or over. Of the 76 reported fall incidents, 19 of these were significant enough to have the patient transported by way of helicopter ambulance to the closest trauma center for evaluation. This represents 25% of all fall injuries in Loudoun County throughout the reporting period. The number of falls occurring in Loudoun County is listed in Figure 2 below.

17 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 17 Figure 2 Loudoun County Fall Injuries Loudoun County Fall Injuries Number of Incidents Fall 5 Feet Fall 10 Feet Fall 15 Feet Fall 20 Feet Fall 30 Feet Fall 50 Feet Mechanism of Injury Four separate construction site accidents claimed the lives of four construction site workers throughout the reporting period. Two deaths were caused by electrocution. The other two deaths were caused by two different incidents that included being run-over and also a crushing injury. Figure 3 lists Loudoun County Construction Site Deaths by Cause.

18 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 18 Figure 3 Loudoun County Construction Site Deaths by Cause Loudoun County Construction Site Deaths by Cause Run-Over, 1 Electrocution, 2 Run-Over Crushed Electrocution Crushed, 1 Why is LCFREM experiencing so many construction accidents was targeted towards 35 locally authorized ALS providers who actually respond to construction site accidents and provided patient care. 27 surveys were returned which is a 77% return rate. The survey asked if you have ever responded to a construction site accident. 85% stated yes while 15% stated no. The next question asked if you ever responded to a construction site where a worker had an injury from a fall. 91% replied yes (21 responses from the 23 that had actually responded to a construction site accident). In addition to the injury from a fall, the next question asked the ALS providers if the patient was wearing any sort of a fall protection device. 5% of the responses stated that the worker was wearing fall protection (unknown why the worker still fell) while 95% stated that the worker was not wearing any fall protection.

19 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 19 The final question was targeted towards determining what factors lead to the injury at a construction site and also in identifying what methods can be employed to minimize construction related accidents in the future. Figure 4 lists the results of the survey of contributing factors. Figure 4 Contributing Factors in the Increase of Construction Accidents Contributing Factors in the Increase of Construction Accidents Poor housekeeping 11 Lack of Training 19 Safeguards removed 9 Factors Human Error 22 Failure to utilize PPE 24 Increase of construction Value 100% of the respondents indicated that the increase of construction related accidents was because of the increasing construction throughout Loudoun County. 89% of the respondents stated that failure to use PPE on the jobsite was second with human error (81%) being third as to the reason for the increase in construction related accidents. Lack of training was reported by 70%, followed by poor housekeeping (40%), and finally with workers removing safeguards from tools or apparatus as last at 33%.

20 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 20 Discussion The leading causes of construction injuries in Loudoun County are a result of workers falling from an elevated position. Of the 151 responses to construction related accidents, 76 of these were a direct result from a worker falling from an elevated position which represents 50.3%. This figure supports the VDLI most frequently cited violation of not having fall protection available for construction site workers when working on elevated positions. The second leading cause of construction accidents was workers being struck by materials, equipment, etc which represents 13.9% of all construction related accidents. HSE (2003) stated that areas needed to improve worker conditions at construction sites include proper housekeeping as to secure all materials and equipment properly and wearing all PPE to limit worker injuries and/or deaths while operating. The leading cause of construction site deaths is a direct result of electrocutions. One electrocution death occurred when a worker tried to re-enter his crane, after he had already escaped from touching power lines and creating a fire, and attempted to shut off the crane. The 48,000 volts of electricity entered his body as he made contact with the crane while he was standing on the ground. The second electrocution death came as a result of a worker installing electrical power lines in a new development, directly making contact with hot electrical wires, while working in his elevated boom truck. Construction Safety (2006) states that electrocution accounts for about 20% of all fatalities in construction however Loudoun County currently has a 50% fatality rate. The third construction related death was a result of a worker getting run-over by a bull dozer. A construction worker was inspecting the metal tracks with the motor running and failed to apply the safety mechanical brake. The bull dozer began inching forward

21 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 21 and caught the worker off guard. Before other job site personnel could make their way to the bull dozer and stop it, the bull dozer had completely run-over the victim sustaining fatal injuries. This was a result of human error in not setting the brakes while leaving the operator compartment of the bull dozer. The last death on a construction site in Loudoun County was a result of a victim being crushed. While installing a sewer pipe system in a new housing development, a construction worker was working between the pipes of the sewer and the bucket of a mechanical loader. Without notice and caused by human error, the bucket of the loader crushed the worker against the sewer pipes causing severe traumatic injuries. LCFREM has experienced a significant increase in the number of construction site related accidents. The population from the year 2000 and the estimated population in 2008 represent a 60.2% increase in a period over eight years. New homes are required to provide shelter and businesses are needed to support the community s demands. Construction within Loudoun County has increased and with it has the associated hazards including more injuries and deaths. The contributing factors for the increasing construction accidents include the increase of construction in general, failure to utilize appropriate PPE, human error, lack of safety training in minimizing injuries and deaths, removal of safeguards from tools or equipments, and poor housekeeping on construction sites. OSHA mandates that employees are competent in understanding potential work hazards through training that must be made available from their employers. Michaud (1995) stated that it is taken for granted that the new employee has received prior job and safety training from a previous

22 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 22 employer. This dangerous assumption can lead to catastrophic results on construction sites. Analyzing the leading causes of construction related deaths and injuries and examining why LCFREM is responding to a significant number of these incidents was essential in determining methods to minimize construction related accidents. Injuries from falls represent 50.3% of all construction site incidents with 89% of respondents stating that workers were not utilizing appropriate PPE. Over one-half of all construction site injuries were a result of a worker falling to the ground. According to the responder survey, only 5% of the workers that did have an injury were wearing some form of a restraint device to prevent them from falling. The remaining 95% did not have any type of fall protection system to restrain them from falling. Taking proactive steps to ensure that PPE is available, used appropriately, and offering incentives for the required use of the equipment is the first barrier to overcome. Recommendations Based on the number of construction site accidents occurring in Loudoun County, LCFREM may need to consider creating and delivering a construction site safety educational program based on the leading causes of injuries and deaths. Such a program may not meet the needs as defined by OSHA in having employees trained to a competent level, but the awareness of injuries and deaths occurring on jobsites within Loudoun County could reduce human errors and urge the usage of PPE. Training alone will not be sufficient to minimize the dangers in the construction industry. However, acknowledging that a problem does exist is the first step.

23 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 23 Because of the increase in the amount of construction site accidents, LCFREM needs to deploy resources to combat this community risk issue. The National Fire Academy (2002) states that departments should institutionalize community education as an organizational value. The LCFREM life safety education division should consider broadening their scope of practice from the basic target audience of children and the elderly and include construction workers as a method to decrease injuries and deaths on construction sites. Injuries sustained from individuals falling from elevated positions ranks the highest in terms of injuries and ultimately needs to be addressed first. Of the 76 injuries sustained from falling from an elevated position, 25% of these incidents were serious enough to warrant treatment and transportation by an air medical ambulance to the closest trauma center. In 95% of all fall injuries, the construction worker did not have fall protection systems in place to minimize the risk. Secondly, out of eight recorded electrocutions in Loudoun County from January 1, 2000 through May 1, 2008, two of these incidents proved fatal (25%). Electrical safety to minimize electrocutions needs to be addressed with construction workers to improve worker safety. Further research is warranted in this area to determine the exact nature of the electrocutions, if appropriate safety procedures were followed, if employees received training of electrical hazards, to establish if all PPE was utilized, and that general housekeeping was not a contributing factor. A proposed outcome objective for LCFREM might be stated as decreasing the number of construction site injuries and deaths by 50% by the year Possible impact objectives might include; by July 2009, the number of construction workers wearing fall

24 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 24 protection will increase by 50% and by January 2009, there will be a 25% increase in the number of construction site safety educational programs delivered to the workforce. Finally, process objectives of a construction site safety program might include; by January 2011, have all new workers trained in construction site safety prior to working on a construction site and by January 2011, sustained $50,000 in funding indicated in the fiscal year budget, to deliver this educational training. The leading causes of construction accidents in Loudoun County, Virginia were identified as well as the problem concerning the increase of these accidents. Minimizing construction related injuries and deaths in Loudoun County, Virginia will have to be a multifaceted approach. The fire safety division currently consists of one full time employee that oversees 517 square miles with an estimated population of 284,636 for A single employee cannot be successful in handling all of the community risk reduction needs that a county system requires. Merely stating objectives, establishing funding, and training construction workers will not meet the needs for this initiative. A conscious effort in reducing human error, eliminating the under utilization of PPE, and providing comprehensive training should ultimately bring out a safety culture change within the construction industry.

25 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 25 References Construction Association of Ontario (2000). Electrocution, One out of every five construction deaths is caused by electrical contact. What can we do about it?. Construction Safety, 11, No. 1, Retrieved June 7, 2008, from Christie, L, (2006, March 16). CNN Money. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from 100 Fastest growing counties. Web site: Health & Safety Executive (2003). Casual factors in Construction accidents, Research Report 156. Retrieved June 2, 2008 from Web site: Jeffress, Charles N. (2000, October 17). How can we reduce injuries and deaths on the job? National Occupational Injury Research Symposium. Retrieved June 6, 2008, from Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Web site: SPEECHES Loudoun County, Virginia. (n.d.) Department of Economic Development. Retrieved May 24, 2008 from 2007 Growth Summary - Housing Unit Trends. Web site: Michaud, Patrick, A. (1995). Accident Prevention and OSHA Compliance. New York, New York: CRC Press, Lewis Publishers.

26 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 26 U.S. Census Bureau, (2008, January 2). State & County Quickfacts. Retrieved May 22, 2008, from Loudoun County, Virginia. Web site: United States Fire Administration (2007, April). USFA 5-year Operational Objectives, Retrieved May 31, 2008, from National Fire Academy (2007, November) Strategies for Community Risk Reduction Pilot Student Manual. Author. National Fire Academy (2002, August) Public Fire Education Planning, A Five Step Process, Author. Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, (2008, January 29). Most Hazardous Occupations. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from Most Hazardous Occupations, Virginia 2000 Web site: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2000, September). Worker Deaths by Falls, a Summary of Surveillance Findings and Investigative Case Reports. Retrieved June 2, 2008 from Web site: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (1996). Construction Safety & Health Outreach Program. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from Training Requirements in OSHA Construction Industry Standards and Training Guidelines Web site:

27 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 27 Appendix 1 - Loudoun County Construction Incidents (ALS) Calendar Year 2007 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Jun-07 Struck Unknown No Apr-07 Fall -15 Feet Yes Yes Calendar Year 2006 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Feb-06 Fall - 30 Feet Yes Yes Feb-06 Struck Unknown No Feb-06 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown Yes Jan-06 Fall - 15 Feet Unknown No Jan-06 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Jan-06 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Jan-06 Fall - 15 Feet Unknown Yes Jan-06 Struck Unknown No Calendar Year 2005 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Nov-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Nov-05 Fall - 20 Feet Unknown No Nov-05 Struck Unknown No Nov-05 Hand Injury Unknown No Oct-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Oct-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Oct-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Sep-05 Fall - 15 Feet Unknown No Sep-05 Fall - 15 Feet Yes No Sep-05 Ran-Over Unknown No Sep-05 Struck Unknown No Sep-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Aug-05 Ran-Over Yes Yes Aug-05 Hand Injury Unknown No Aug-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Aug-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Aug-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown Yes Aug-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Aug-05 Struck No No Jul-05 Struck Yes Yes Jul-05 Fall - 10 Feet Yes Yes Jul-05 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Jul-05 Fall - 10 Feet Yes Yes Jul-05 Collapse Yes No Jul-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Jul-05 Fall - 30 Feet Yes Yes Jun-05 Struck Unknown No Jun-05 Fall - 30 Feet Yes Yes Jun-05 Struck Unknown No Jun-05 Fall - 10 Feet No No

28 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 28 Jun-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Jun-05 Collapse Yes No Jun-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Jun-05 Fall - 15 Feet No Yes May-05 Fall - 15 Feet Yes Yes May-05 Fall - 10 Feet Yes Yes May-05 Struck Unknown No Apr-05 Fall - 20 Feet Yes Yes Apr-05 Unknown Unknown No Mar-05 Fall - 15 Feet Unknown No Mar-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Mar-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Mar-05 Fall - 20 Feet Unknown No Feb-05 Ran-Over No No Feb-05 Fall - 15 Feet Unknown No Feb-05 Penetration Unknown No Feb-05 Fall - 15 Feet Yes No Feb-05 Fall - 10 Feet No No Feb-05 Fall - 10 Feet Yes Yes Feb-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Jan-05 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Jan-05 Struck No No Jan-05 Collapse Unknown No Calendar Year 2004 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Dec-04 Fall - 20 Feet Unknown No Nov-04 Struck Unknown No Nov-04 Struck Unknown No Nov-04 Struck Unknown No Nov-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Oct-04 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Oct-04 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Oct-04 Collapse Yes Yes Oct-04 Fall - 30 Feet Yes Yes Oct-04 Cut Unknown No Sep-04 Fall - 10 Feet No Yes Sep-04 Struck Yes Yes Sep-04 Fall - 20 Feet Unknown No Aug-04 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Aug-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Aug-04 Crush Unknown No Aug-04 Fall - 10 Feet Unknown No Aug-04 Struck Yes Yes Jul-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Jul-04 Fall - 20 Feet Yes No Jul-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Jul-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No Jul-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No

29 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 29 Jun-04 Fall - 20 Feet Unknown No Jun-04 Fall - 5 Feet No No Jun-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No Jun-04 Struck No No Jun-04 Ran-Over Unknown Yes Jun-04 Struck Unknown No Jun-04 Fall - 20 Feet Yes No May-04 Fall - 30 Feet Yes Yes May-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes Yes May-04 Cut Yes No May-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No May-04 Fall - 50 Feet No No May-04 Fall - 15 Feet No No Apr-04 Fall - 30 Feet Yes No Apr-04 Fall - 20 Feet Unknown No Apr-04 Ran-Over No No Apr-04 Struck No No Apr-04 Unknown No No Mar-04 Struck Yes Yes Mar-04 Fall - 20 Feet Yes No Mar-04 Fall - 5 Feet No No Feb-04 Fall - 20 Feet Yes Yes Feb-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Feb-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No Jan-04 Struck Yes Yes Jan-04 Fall - 10 Feet Yes No Jan-04 Pinned Yes Yes

30 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 30 Appendix 2 Loudoun County Construction Incidents (BLS) Loudoun County Construction Incidents (BLS) Calendar Year 2007 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Oct-07 Laceration No No May-07 Leg Injury No No Calendar Year 2006 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Feb-06 Laceration No No Jan-06 Leg Injury No No Calendar Year 2005 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Oct-05 Laceration No No Oct-05 Puncture No No Oct-05 Laceration No No Sep-05 Laceration No No Sep-05 Puncture No No Aug-05 Puncture No No Jul-05 Crush No No Jul-05 MVC No No Jun-05 Arm Injury No No May-05 Hand Injury No No Apr-05 Back Injury No No Apr-05 Laceration No No Apr-05 Leg Injury No No Jan-05 Puncture No No Jan-05 Fall - 5 Feet No No Calendar Year 2004 Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Dec-04 Puncture No No Sep-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No Jul-04 Crush No No Jun-04 Ran-Over No No Jun-04 Fall - 10 Feet No No Jan-04 Crush No No.

31 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 31 Appendix 3 Loudoun County Construction Incidents (Electrocution & Trench) Loudoun County Construction Incidents (Electrocution & Trench) Electrocution Incidents (January 1, 2000 through May 1, 2008) Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Dec-06 Electrocution No No Sep-05 Electrocution No No Sep-04 Electrocution No No Jun-04 Electrocution No No Dec-02 Electrocution No No Mar-02 Electrocution No No Aug-01 Electrocution No No Jun-00 Electrocution No No Trench Collapse Incidents (January 1, 2000 through May 1, 2008) Date Incident OSHA Notified Helicopter? Jul-05 Asphyxiation Yes No Sep-01 Cave-in Yes No

32 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 32 Appendix 4 - Loudoun County Construction Accident Questionnaire Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management Construction accident questionnaire ONLY CHECK ONE RESPONSE IN EACH CATEGORY 1. Have you ever responded to a construction site accident where a worker was injured? YES NO 2. Have you ever responded for a construction site accident where a worker had fallen from an elevated position (injury from a fall)? YES NO 3. If you answered yes to question #2 above, was the construction worker utilizing any fall protection system (harness, safety lanyards, etc)? YES NO 4. What factors do you feel contribute to the increase of construction accidents within Loudoun County? *You may have more then one response for this question. Check all that you feel applies* An increase of construction in the County Failure to use construction PPE Human error Inadequate safety training/instruction Removal of equipment safeguards Poor housekeeping on the construction site Other

33 Minimizing Construction Related Injuries & Deaths 33 Appendix 5 - Loudoun County Construction Accident Questionnaire Report Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management Construction accident questionnaire report Question 1 Have you ever responded to a construction site accident? Yes No Responses 23 4 Percentage Question 2 Ever responded to a construction site accident where a worker had fallen? Yes No Responses 21 6 Percentage Question 3 Yes to Question #2, was fall protection PPE utilized? Yes No Responses 1 20 Percentage 5 95 Question 4 What are the contributing factors to construction accidents? Responses Percentage Increase of Construction Failure to use PPE Human Error Inadequate training/instruction Removal of safeguards 9 33 Poor housekeeping 11 41