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Architectural Site Occupational Health, Safety & Disaster Prevention

Construction – Building (SSW 2) · 建設分野(2号・建築区分) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Top Fatal Accident Cause, Safety Cycle, Safety/Health Emblems & Heatstroke Prevention

The leading cause of fatal occupational accidents in the construction industry—accounting for about 40% of all deaths—is 'falls from height (Tsuiraku / Tenraku)'. In the daily 'Safety Construction Cycle', right after the all-hands morning safety assembly and before starting work, each trade group holds small-group 'Hazard Prediction (KY) activities and Pointing-and-Calling'.

Human error countermeasures must be built on the premise that 'every human being can overlook things or make assumptions', establishing multi-person double-checks and safety devices (fail-safes) to catch mistakes.

On site safety flags and helmet emblems, a 'green cross on a white background represents Safety (Anzen)', whereas a 'white cross on a green background represents Industrial Health/Hygiene (Eisei)'.

To prevent heatstroke in summer, workers must 'frequently replenish both water and salt (sodium) simultaneously before feeling thirsty', wear breathable clothing, and take scheduled breaks in cool rest areas.

Top Fatal Accident Cause, Safety Cycle, Safety/Health Emblems & Heatstroke Prevention

Key points


  • The #1 cause of construction fatalities (~40%) is 'falls from height'; conduct small-group 'KY activities' after morning assembly before starting work.

  • Assume 'all humans make mistakes' by implementing 'double-checks and safety devices'; Green Cross = Safety, White Cross = Health/Hygiene.

  • Prevent heatstroke by 'replenishing both water and salt before feeling thirsty' and taking planned breaks in cool rest areas.
WordMeaning
Safety Construction Cycle & KY (Hazard Prediction) Activity
Green Cross (Safety) & White Cross (Health/Hygiene)
Falls from height (Leading cause of construction fatalities)

Fall Prevention on Roofs, Openings, Ladders & Stepladders, Falling Objects & Scaffolds

When working on fragile slate or folded-plate roofs, install 'walkway boards (Ayumi-ita) at least 30 cm wide', string safety nets below, and wear fall arrest equipment. At floor openings, install guardrails/enclosures or fit 'securely fastened covers of sufficient strength with opening warning signs'.

A 'portable ladder (Idou hashigo)' must have non-slip feet, be set at an angle of '75 degrees or less', and extend 'at least 60 cm above' the upper landing and be tied off. On a 'stepladder or trestle (Kyatatsu / Tachiuma)', lock the spreader bars securely and 'never stand on or straddle the top cap'.

To prevent flying or falling object accidents from scaffolds, install 'toeboards (Habaki), mesh sheets, and protective nets', attach 'drop-prevention lanyards' to hand tools, and never leave materials loose on working platforms.

When assembling or dismantling temporary structures such as scaffolding or formwork shoring, appoint a qualified 'Operations Chief (Sagyou shuninsha)' to direct the work directly and 'bar unauthorized workers from entering the area'.

Key points


  • Use 'walkway boards ≥ 30 cm wide + safety nets' on fragile roofs, and protect floor openings with 'guardrails or fixed covers with signs'.

  • Set portable ladders at '≤ 75 degrees with ≥ 60 cm top extension', and lock stepladder spreaders while 'never standing on the top cap'.

  • Use 'toeboards, mesh sheets, and tool lanyards' against falling objects, and have an 'Operations Chief direct scaffold assembly/dismantling with entry barred'.
WordMeaning
Roof walkway board (Ayumi-ita at least 30 cm wide)
Portable ladder setup standard (Angle ≤ 75°, top extension ≥ 60 cm)
Toeboard (Habaki), Tool lanyard & Operations Chief (Sagyou shuninsha)

Safety for Construction Machinery, Cranes, Aerial Platforms, Overhead Lines & Slinging

To prevent caught-in or struck-by accidents with mobile cranes or backhoes (drag shovels), 'prohibit entry into the swing radius and boom operating zone', assign a signaler (inducer), and operate according to agreed signals.

To prevent mobile crane overturning, inspect ground bearing capacity, reinforce soft ground with 'steel road plates (Shikiteppan)', extend outriggers to their 'maximum width', and stay within rated capacity. Set up 'aerial work platforms' level on outriggers and wear 'fall arrest equipment' inside the bucket/platform.

When operating cranes or heavy machinery near overhead power lines, consult the power company and prevent electrocution by 'maintaining a safe clearance distance, fitting insulating protective tubes, and assigning a dedicated watcher'.

Inspect wire ropes before crane slinging (Tamagake): 'wire ropes with diameter reduction exceeding 7% of nominal diameter' or ropes with 'kinks, severe deformation, or broken wires' risk snapping and must never be used.

Key points


  • 'Bar entry into the operating/swing radius' of heavy equipment and cranes, and operate with a signaler.

  • Reinforce soft ground with 'steel plates + full outrigger extension' for mobile cranes, and wear 'fall arrest equipment' inside aerial platforms.

  • Near overhead power lines, 'keep safe distance + install protective tubes + assign a watcher'; discard wire ropes with '> 7% diameter loss or kinks'.
WordMeaning
Steel ground plates (Shikiteppan) & Maximum outrigger extension
Unfit wire rope criteria (Diameter reduction > 7% or kinking)
Overhead line insulating protective tube & Dedicated safety watcher

Cave-ins, Electrocution, Fire, Oxygen Deficiency, Poisoning, Dust, Asbestos & Vibration

In excavation work, prevent cave-ins by providing 'proper slope angles or earth retaining shoring' suited to the soil and inspecting the ground before work and after heavy rain. Fit 'earth leakage circuit breakers and grounding (earth)' on electrical circuits, and attach an 'automatic electric shock preventer' to AC arc welders.

During indoor welding or gas cutting, clear combustibles, 'shield sparks with flame-retardant/non-combustible sheets, and place fire extinguishers'. Before entering underground pits or manholes, measure and verify 'oxygen concentration at 18% or higher' and ventilate with blowers; before entering winter curing enclosures heated by charcoal briquettes (Rentan) or jet heaters, ventilate thoroughly and measure carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen levels.

During indoor organic solvent painting or waterproofing, ventilate with 'local exhaust or general ventilation' and wear an 'organic gas respirator (or airline mask)'. During concrete chipping (Hatsuri), prevent pneumoconiosis by 'spraying water (wetting) and wearing a nationally certified dust respirator'.

In 'asbestos (Ishiwata) removal work', isolate the work zone with plastic sheeting, 'wet the asbestos with chemical solution or water' to prevent fiber dispersal, and wear respiratory protection and protective clothing. When using 'vibrating tools', shorten continuous operating time, take regular rest pauses, and select low-vibration tools.

Key points


  • Use 'proper slopes/shoring + post-rain inspections' in excavations, and prevent shock with 'ELCBs, grounding, and welder shock preventers'.

  • Verify 'oxygen ≥ 18% + ventilate' in pits, 'ventilate + measure CO and O2' in winter curing tents, and use 'ventilation + organic gas masks' for solvents.

  • Use 'water spray + certified dust masks' for concrete chipping, 'isolation + wetting + protective gear' for asbestos removal, and 'short continuous use + rest breaks' for vibrating tools.
WordMeaning
Automatic electric shock preventer & Earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB)
Oxygen deficiency (Oxygen < 18%) & Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
Asbestos wetting/containment & Nationally certified dust respirator

Building Construction Safety

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