In recognition of the nationwide Construction Safety Week, this year’s industry-wide event emphasizes the importance of “All in Together,” how each team collectively plans, owns and commits to safety excellence. With safety as a top priority, each KPRS project has its own unique circumstances, and each are distinctly designed in their approach to safety. As many large-scale projects are currently underway, we’re distinguishing how several KPRS teams are exemplifying safe jobsite practices in variety of markets – and how they’re working together to achieve safe outcomes for all involved.
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Construction Safety Week: “All in Together”
Claremont McKenna College – Robert Day Sciences Center
Claremont, CA
The CMC Robert Day Sciences Center is a 142,000-square-foot, four-story educational building constructed from large Vierendeel steel trusses that create large open floor spans. The architectural design of the building created unique challenges as each floor is rotated 45 degrees from the floor below, creating a large open atrium from ground up to the roof.
"Due to the extensive amount of structural steel erection, elevated concrete slabs, exterior cladding-curtain wall systems and cantilevered conditions, this project has presented numerous safety challenges that our team has had to proactively address throughout the course of construction," the team explained.
One of the major safety challenges is lifting and placing the Vierendeel steel trusses, weighing up to 91,000 pounds. Additionally, the building’s design for an open atrium and perimeter curtain wall system required heightened attention to fall protection and safety railing systems. The team implemented pre-pick safety meetings with all involved parties along with the on-site presence of the soil engineer, installation of crane mats and stabilized base crane path, and coordination between the building's structural engineer. The team ensured strict adherence to crane capacity, with the heaviest lift at 93% of the crane’s rated capacity.
"To address fall hazards, we communicated and enforced a comprehensive fall protection plan. This included the installation of safety railings throughout the building’s atrium and along the exterior perimeter of each floor. Our leading-edge safety protocol included the use of lifelines, retractable equipment, and lanyards attached to items such as power tools and hammers. All workers participated in toolbox talks focused on leading edge and fall protection topics to reinforce awareness and adherence to our safety standards."
1400 Long Beach Blvd
Long Beach, CA
The 1400 Long Beach project is a 6-story, 163-unit, affordable housing community. Access of the project has presented challenges from the start. Located adjacent to a metro line on Long Beach Boulevard, neighboring autobody shop, and residential alley, the daily coordination and planning has been a top priority. With early involvement and requirements presented by the Metro construction team, the KPRS team has meticulously scheduled activities and utilized non-traditional means and methods to mitigate any potential risks.
Prior to any new major construction activity start, KPRS works with Metro for approval of a Construction Work Plan (CWP) that highlights all the equipment, material, and potential hazards that may come with each activity. KPRS submission of weekly Track Allocations provide the Metro team updates on all activities on-going for the week. KPRS attends weekly walk-throughs with a Metro Inspector to ensure all work that is being done is in conformance with the approved CWP.
"Daily communication with our subcontractors has been key to our success. This precedent was set forth early in our QA/QC pre-construction meetings with each trade. Providing as much information as early as possible has been paramount. Safety is at the forefront of everyone’s daily tasks and the KPRS team works to lead by example by not only enforcing all safety guidelines and regulations, but by ensuring and empowering all workers on-site to hold themselves to the highest standards. Safety is the number one priority, and having a safe, efficient job site leads to a successful overall project for all involved," the team explained.
Luna Park
Irvine, CA
Luna Park is a 13-acre private community park project that includes pickleball, handball, and basketball courts, a large tot-lot, open grass fields, and multiple supporting buildings. With a wide range of scopes and concurrent activities happening across the site, several key safety challenges were identified and addressed early on.
The installation of 76 light pole footings, most of which were 7’6” deep created open excavations and presented fall hazards that required constant protection. Crews covered each footing with plywood and marked them clearly with stakes surrounded by danger tape to maintain visibility and minimize risk.
Another safety-critical task was post-tensioning at the basketball and pickleball courts. "Our team ensured that zones on each side of the tendons were kept clear during tensioning operations to prevent injury from possible tendon failure. We placed strict emphasis on managing the hazards of flying steel during erection activities. Spotters were required at all times, and clear communication was taken to ensure that no personnel walked under equipment or suspended steel," the team explained. A majority of the flying steel work involved the construction of ten shade structures located throughout the site.
Washington Villas
Long Beach, CA
KPRS is constructing Washington Villas, a 36-unit townhouse tract for Habitat for Humanity in Long Beach. The project is currently the largest development that Habitat for Humanity of Los Angeles has ever constructed.
Running the length of one side of the project, overhead powerlines have caused the team to utilize narrow scaffolding as the edge of regular scaffolding would have been too close, per OSHA standards. This solution was coordinated between KPRS, the scaffolding supplier, and Southern California Edison for sign-off before certain permits and inspections could be provided.
"Due to its central location on Long Beach Blvd, the team’s priority is to always maintain a safe and clean worksite for both subcontractors and the public. All subs are safety-orientated prior to any work being completed while also participating in standard weekly meetings and inspections," the team explained.
