Special Work

This module covers some kinds of special works, such as welding, explosion-prone environments, excavations, and demolition works.

Welding poses a range of well-known and subtle hazards to health and safety. These can act quickly or may show up only in the long term. They can be rapidly fatal, as with hazards of electric shock or exposure to cadmium fumes; or have delayed effects such as lung cancer over time.

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. Excavations include any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth's surface formed by earth removal. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment.

Demolition work involves many of the same hazards that arise during other construction activities. However, demolition also involves additional hazards due to a variety of other factors. All demolition, dismantling and structural alterations must be carefully planned and carried out in a way that prevents danger by practitioners with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience.