Pamela Heckel, Ph.D., P.E.ABET SymposiumApril 19, 2012

DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally reviewed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.

Agenda

• Define Prevention through Design• 2011 Design for Safety and Health Contest• NIOSH PtD Education Outreach

Introduction to Prevention through Design

4

Worker Safety and Health• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 

[http://osha.gov/]– Part of the Department of Labor– Assures safe and healthful workplaces– Sets and enforces standards – Provides training, outreach, education, and assistance– State regulations possibly more stringent 

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/]– Part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention– Conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work‐related injury and illness 

6

Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation

NIOSH FACE Program [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/]

10.84.9

6.97.27.77.88.18.8

10.411.5

14.315.616.0

20.321.5

23.532.1

58.661.6

All constructionDrywall

CarpenterPlumber

Construction managerHeatingPainter

Brick MasonElectrician

ForemanExcavating Operator

HelperOp. Engineer

WelderConstruction Laborer

Truck driverRoofer

Electrical power-line installerIronworker

Number of deaths per 100,000 full-time workers

Death from Injury

Rate of work‐related deaths from injuries, selected construction occupations, 2003–2009 average

Full‐time is defined as 2,000 hours worked per year.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003–2009 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and Current Population Survey. Calculations by the CPWR Data Center.

Hierarchy of Controls per ANSI/AIHA Z10‐2005

ELIMINATIONDesign it out

SUBSTITUTIONUse something else

ENGINEERING CONTROLSIsolation and guarding

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLSTraining and work scheduling

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Last resort

Controleffectiveness

Businessvalue

Integrating occupational safety and health into the capital project design process

Stage Activities

Conceptual design Establish occupational safety and health goals, identify occupational hazards

Preliminary design Eliminate hazards, if possible; substitute less hazardous agents/processes; establish risk minimization targets for remaining hazards; assess risk; and develop risk control alternatives

Detailed design Select controls; conduct process hazard reviews

Procurement Develop specifications and include in procurements; develop “checks and tests” for factory acceptance testing and commissioning

Construction Construction site safety and contractor safety 

Commissioning Conduct “checks and tests,” including factory acceptance; pre–start up safety reviews; development of SOPs; risk/exposure assessment; and management of residual risks

Start up and occupancy

Education, management of change, modification of SOPs

Why Prevention through Design?

• Construction dangers

• Design‐related safety issues

• Ethical reasons

• Practical benefits

• Financial and non‐financial benefits

PtD Applies to Constructability

• How reasonable is the design?

– Cost– Duration– Quality– Safety

The Cincinnati Museum Center[http://www.cincymuseum.org/]

Business Value of PtD

• Anticipate worker exposures—be proactive

• Align health and safety goals with business goals

• Modify designs to reduce/eliminate workplace hazards in:

Facilities EquipmentTools ProcessesProducts Work flows

Improve business profitability!

AIHA [http://www.ihvalue.org/]

Benefits of PtD• Reduced site hazards and thus fewer injuries

• Reduced workers’ compensation insurance costs

• Increased productivity

• Fewer delays due to accidents

• Increased designer‐constructor collaboration

• Reduced absenteeism 

• Improved morale

• Reduced employee turnover 

2011 Design for Safety and HealthStudent Design Contest

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Requirements & RewardsPaper with Abstract

Round 1 

Not top 3 Certificate of Participation

Invitation to present

3 Finalists

Poster Presentation

Round 2Finalist

Certificate

All 3 Highest Score

Contest Flyer

Announcement

Rules

1st Round Award

Reception

Reception

Reception

Presentation

Round 2 Award

Special Award

Benefits

The students:Poster‐making ExperienceVideo‐making ExperienceExposure as DesignersPresentation ExperienceConference ParticipationTravel Experience

NIOSH:PtD Exposure AffirmationExcitementSuccess

Student Design Contest 2014 

Location:National Building MuseumWashington, DC

Theme:Designing for Disaster

Date:August or September

We need your help!AwardsJudgesParticipantsPublicityRulesSponsors 

Please complete the survey and return it to Pheckel@cdc.gov

NIOSH PtD Education Outreach

• Case Studies• Textbooks

• Education Modules

Architecture

Architectural Design and ConstructionEDUCATION MODULE

Developed by Michael Behm , Ph.D.Cory Boughton

East Carolina University 

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Mechanical‐Electrical

Mechanical – Electrical Systems

Developed by James McGlothlin, MPH, Ph.D., CPEAssociate Professor, School of Health Science

John R. Weaver, Facility Manager, Birck Nanotechnology CenterAnna Menze, Research Assistant

Purdue UniversityMatt Gillen, CIH

Deputy Director, NIOSH Office of Construction

EDUCATION MODULE

Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced Concrete Design

Developed by John Gambatese, PhD, PERyan Lujan

School of Civil and Construction EngineeringOregon State University

EDUCATION MODULE

Structural Steel

Structural Steel DesignEDUCATION MODULE

Developed by T. Michael Toole, PhD, PEDaniel Treppel

Stephen Van NosdallBucknell University

Help make the workplace safer…

For more information, please contact the 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Telephone: (513) 533–8304E‐mail: preventionthroughdesign@cdc.gov

Visit these NIOSH Prevention through Design Program Web sites:http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/PtD/http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/PtDesign/

Include Prevention through Design concepts in undergraduate engineering education.