Abstract
Aim: The discussion of selected issues of occupational risk assessment in companies producing goods for the construction industry. The study especially concerns the job of a steel fixer / concrete placer and the construction of reinforced concrete elements.
Introduction: In specialized literature there are numerous methods which are helpful in conducting the process of occupational risk assessment. However, there is no universal method for different jobs in construction companies. Identification of real hazards occurring in the course of work done by a steel fixer /concrete placer is connected with the actual conditions and technology of that job. A properly conducted occupational risk assessment is a tool for determining the methods of improving the OHS conditions.
Methodology: Elaboration of an evaluation sheet, analysis, reasoning.
Conclusions: The results of the performed analyses clearly indicate that typical occupation risk assessments most often account for the possible sources of hazards related with electricity, ergonomics, and damages caused by hazardous mechanical elements. On the other hand, the sources connected with the material properties and the technology of work are usually not accounted for. These include, for instance: plastic deformation and the phenomenon of rebar spring-back, or the impact of temperature and connection type on the resilience and durability of welded joints. The basic possibilities of improving occupational safety of the job of a steel fixer / a concrete placer should be connected with an individual assessment of the applied methods and technologies, as well as the conditions in a given workplace. A correctly performed occupational risk assessment determines the possible actions to be taken in order to achieve the hazard level that is considered as acceptable. In order to conduct such analysis, it is important to include the phenomena occurring in technological processes, which are connected with the physical properties and behaviour of materials during the production of construction elements.
Keywords: occupational risk assessment, production, goods for the construction industry
Type of article: case study