Safety, Risk and NFPA 241

What is the goal of risk management?

To prevent or reduce (mitigate) losses — losses cost money

Probability, mode, frequency, severity

Probability = if it will occur; Mode = how; Frequency = how often; Severity = how much damage

Risk management definition

A process of proactive decision making that minimizes the adverse effects of unanticipated losses (key words: proactive efforts and decision making)

First step of risk management

Identify the hazard or potential loss

Four phases of risk management

Risk management, risk control, loss control, loss management

Risk control

A conscious effort, action, or decision NOT to act that reduces the frequency, severity, or unpredictability of losses — management chooses to act or not act

Loss control

Steps taken right AFTER a loss to control its effects and keep the organization functioning at the same level

Loss management

Returning the organization as close as possible to its pre-loss state (it will never be exactly the same)

What is NFPA 241?

Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations — minimum standards; fire departments shall be consulted

Risk Evaluation Pyramid (1 / 100 / 1,000 / 10,000)

1 = death, major loss, major litigation; 100 = serious injury, large loss; 1,000 = non-serious injury, minor loss; 10,000 = near misses / close calls

US construction fires and deaths (2022)

About 4,500 fires; 1,069 deaths (9.6 fatality rate)

Who designates the Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM)?

The owner (NFPA 241 4.1.1)

FPPM responsibilities

Carry the fire program to completion, enforce standards, be a competent person in fire codes, protect life and property, and conduct DAILY inspections

NFPA 241 4.2.2 pre-incident plan includes

Emergency communication, hot work operations, reporting emergencies, evacuation, on-site security

How often must construction sites be safeguarded?

Around the clock

Consequences of not complying with NFPA 241

Work stoppage, delays, or costly fines

NFPA 1 vs. NFPA 5000

NFPA 1 = Fire Code; NFPA 5000 = Building Construction and Safety Code

Three emergency action plan requirements

1) Procedures for reporting emergencies and evacuating (type of evacuation, exit routes); 2) Procedures for employees running critical operations before they evacuate; 3) Account for all employees before, during, and after evacuation

What is a risk?

An uncertainty or an unknown — you can't know for sure if, how, how often, or how badly a loss will occur

What is the one thing certain in every business?

Losses will occur — a smart manager prepares to reduce or mitigate them

When does loss control begin?

After the loss occurs — it is the immediate steps management takes to control the effects

What does risk control require management to do?

Do something to avoid further loss

Who has the authority to enforce NFPA 241 provisions on site?

The Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM) — NFPA 241 4.1.2

About how many construction injuries occur, and how many result in days away from work?

About 150,000 (upwards of 203,000); over 66,000 result in days away from work, just over 10,000 of them back injuries

Which chapter of NFPA 241 covers General Requirements?

Chapter 4

NFPA 241 Chapters 6 and 7

Chapter 6 = Utilities; Chapter 7 = Processes and Hazards

NFPA 241 Chapter 10

Safeguarding Roofing Operations

Four areas of action and compliance

Storage for equipment, identifying processes and hazards, control of utilities, fire protection