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Occupational Health & Safety and Accident Prevention

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

Three Major Construction Disasters and the Safety Construction Cycle

In the construction industry, the three leading causes of fatal accidents—'Falls from height', 'Construction machinery / Cranes', and 'Collapse / Cave-in'—are called the Three Major Disasters (noise and vibration disorders are not included).

The daily Safety Construction Cycle begins with the morning assembly (radio calisthenics, safety checks, and chanting 'Go-anzen ni!') followed by Hazard Prediction Activities (KY activities).

Workers entering a site for the first time must complete newcomer safety orientation regardless of prior experience; any near-miss incident (Hiyari-Hatto) must be reported to the foreman and shared with everyone.

To prevent human errors caused by shortcuts from familiarity, assumptions, or poor communication, strictly follow standard procedures and pointing-and-calling (Shisa koshou), and check cleanup, fire extinguishing, and locks at the end of the shift.

Three Major Construction Disasters and the Safety Construction Cycle

Key points


  • The Three Major Disasters in construction are Falls, Construction machinery/cranes, and Collapse/cave-in.

  • Share hazards and countermeasures via pre-work KY activities and prevent human error through standard procedures and pointing-and-calling.

  • Report near-misses (Hiyari-Hatto) to the foreman, and perform 3S cleanup, fire checks, and security locking at the end of work.
WordMeaning
Three Major Disasters (Sandai saigai)
Hazard Prediction Activity (KY activity)
Newcomer safety orientation (Shinki nyuujousha kyouiku)
Pointing and calling (Shisa koshou)

Fall Prevention in High-Place Work, Scaffolds, Stepladders, and Ladders

Fall prevention measures are required at heights of 2 m or more; especially where the working floor exceeds 5 m, workers must wear a 'full-body harness fall arrest system' and hook the lanyard above waist level in principle.

Use a retractable safety block or vertical lifeline rope grab when climbing steel columns, and install walkways at least 30 cm wide and safety nets on fragile slate or plastic roof panels to prevent falling through.

Never remove floor opening guardrails or covers without permission; when strong winds are forecast, fold or remove external scaffold protective mesh sheets and reinforce wall ties.

Lock the spreader bars on a stepladder and never stand on the top cap (Tenban); set portable ladders at about a 75-degree angle with the top extending at least 60 cm above the landing and secure both top and bottom ends.

Key points


  • Wear a full-body harness at working floor heights over 5 m and attach the lanyard hook above waist level.

  • Never stand on a stepladder's top cap; set ladders at about 75 degrees extending 60 cm or more above the landing with both ends secured.

  • Never move a rolling tower with workers on board, and hook your lanyard inside an aerial work platform bucket without climbing on guardrails.
WordMeaning
Full-body harness fall arrest system
Top cap of a stepladder (Tenban)
Roof walkway board (Ayumi-ita)
Rolling tower scaffold

Safety for Construction Machinery, Cranes, and Power Tools

Never enter the swing radius of an excavator (backhoe) or stand under a suspended crane load, and fully extend outriggers to stabilize mobile cranes.

Immediately stop using and replace any slinging wire rope with broken strands or kinks, and strictly maintain the safe clearance distance from high-voltage power lines when operating a concrete pump boom.

When guiding a reversing dump truck, the spotter must stand in a safe diagonal rear position visible to the driver, stop surrounding traffic, and give clear signals using a whistle or flags.

When operating rotating tools such as circular saws, disc grinders, or drill presses, never wear cotton work gloves (gunte) to avoid entanglement, never fix open or remove safety guards, and unplug the power cord before changing blades.

Key points


  • Never enter heavy machinery swing zones or under suspended loads, and never use wire ropes with broken wires or kinks.

  • Do not wear cotton gloves (gunte) when using circular saws or drills, and never disable safety guards.

  • Attach tool lanyards when working at height, and shout 'Abunai! Yokero!' (Danger! Watch out!) immediately if an object is falling or colliding.
WordMeaning
Outriggers
Slinging / Rigging work (Tamagake)
Wire rope kink (deformation)

Protective Equipment, Hazardous Work, and Emergency Response

Replace a safety helmet if it receives even one strong impact even without visible damage, and wear safety shoes with protective toe caps and puncture-resistant soles.

For arc welding, use a welder with an automatic shock prevention device, welding shield, and dry leather gloves; wear dust masks for dusty work, earplugs/earmuffs for loud noise, and anti-vibration gloves with time limits for vibrating tools.

Ventilate, ban open flames, and wear an organic gas respirator when using organic solvents; verify oxygen concentration is at least 18% before entering deep pits or manholes, and avoid using engine tools indoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Check the WBGT heat index and replenish water and salt to prevent heatstroke; immediately stop work and evacuate or cut power to prevent secondary accidents if slope cracks/seepage appear, lighting fails, fire breaks out, or electric shock occurs.

Key points


  • Confirm oxygen concentration is 18% or higher and ventilate before pit work; wear gas respirators for organic solvents and dust masks for concrete cutting.

  • Stand gas cylinders upright away from sunlight, secure them against tipping, and check for leaks with soapy water; bend knees and lift heavy loads with leg power.

  • Shut off power before rescuing an electrocuted worker; in JIS safety colors, Red means Prohibition/Stop/Fire protection and Green (Green Cross) means Safety/Evacuation.
WordMeaning
Oxygen deficiency (Sanso ketsuboushou)
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT heat index)
Green Cross safety symbol (Midorijuuji)
Yellow-and-black warning rope (Tora rope)

Construction Safety and Accident Prevention

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Official references