Accidents in the construction of buildings due to the incorrect use of personal protective equipment in the Cuenca

Abstract

In the construction industry, safety is a constant challenge due to a lack of coordination between workers and supervisors, as well as inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Construction workers in buildings face a significantly higher risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries compared to other industries. Falls from height are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities due to negligence and lack of PPE. Globally, the construction industry has high accident rates, accounting for 3.3% of accidents in 2018 (Méndez Pérez, 2019). To address this issue, the descriptive research includes literature review and an observational study in three building projects in the city. William Fine's Risk Matrix will be applied to evaluate the probability, exposure and consequences of accidents due to incorrect use of PPE. The results obtained showed the levels of risk to which the workers are exposed and were complemented with information that they themselves provided about the working environments and conditions in each building. It was possible to conclude that a large percentage of accidents can be avoided with the correct use of PPE; however, there must be a commitment on the part of employees and employers to constant training, creating a personal and collective safety awareness that allows reducing the levels of risk and vulnerability to an accident. The use of safety equipment must be permanent in order to comply with the country's current regulations.