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Building LEED Homes Can Be Dangerous to Your Staff?
Study cites 50 percent more injuries among construction workers on LEED structures vs. traditional buildings, noting increased risk of electrical shock and ladder falls for lighting controls specifically.
Will working on a LEED home put your technicians in danger? Yes, says a new study on construction safety that shows there are 50 percent more injuries among construction workers on LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) projects than conventional structures.
The study, called “Identification of Safety Risks for High-Performance Sustainable Construction Projects,” from a researcher at the University of Colorado, uses anecdotal evidence to make its conclusion, according to an article from freelance journalist Katie Fraser that appear in the Architectural Record.
The most dangerous LEED-related tasks are installing sustainable roofing, PV panels and skylights. While "dumpster diving" on jobsite trash bins to retrieve renewable items that shouldn't have been tossed also adds to cuts, abrasions and lacerations.
In a letter to CE Pro, USGBC general counsel Susan Dorn calls the study "admittedly questionable" because all the results were only gathered in Colorado.
Specifically related to integrators, the synopsis of the data from the article suggests there is increased risk of injury from:
The study, called “Identification of Safety Risks for High-Performance Sustainable Construction Projects,” from a researcher at the University of Colorado, uses anecdotal evidence to make its conclusion, according to an article from freelance journalist Katie Fraser that appear in the Architectural Record.
The most dangerous LEED-related tasks are installing sustainable roofing, PV panels and skylights. While "dumpster diving" on jobsite trash bins to retrieve renewable items that shouldn't have been tossed also adds to cuts, abrasions and lacerations.
In a letter to CE Pro, USGBC general counsel Susan Dorn calls the study "admittedly questionable" because all the results were only gathered in Colorado.
Specifically related to integrators, the synopsis of the data from the article suggests there is increased risk of injury from:
- LEED Credit: Optimize Energy Performance
Identified Risk: An increased risk of falling comes from more ladder time installing added wires and controls, and double caulking. - LEED Credit: On-Site Renewable Energy
Identified Risk: Falls and overexertion are more likely from installing heavy PV panels, usually on the roof. - LEED Credit: Controllability of Systems—Lighting
Identified Risk: Complex wiring associated with occupancy sensors and timing controls increase risk of electrical shock to workers. Additional time spent wiring these systems at heights increases the risk of falls. - LEED Credit: Daylight and Views: Daylight 75% of Spaces
Identified Risk: Large skylights, windows or atriums increase time spent working near large, exposed openings at great heights.
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Article Topics
News · Research · Home Automation and Control · Energy Management · Builders · Energy Management · Leed · Research · Energy · Builder ·About the Author
Jason has covered low-voltage electronics as an editor since 1990. He joined EH Publishing in 2000, and before that served as publisher and editor of Security Sales, a leading magazine for the security industry. He served as chairman of the Security Industry Association’s Education Committee from 2000-2004 and sat on the board of that association from 1998-2002. He is also a former board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation. He is currently a member of the CEDIA Education Action Team for Electronic Systems Business. Jason graduated from the University of Southern California.
5 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
This is ridiculous. All of these measures were around well before LEED was developed. PV panels, skylights, increased time on wiring… Really? Was a stupid recap of a meaningless article.
So it sounds like you guys won’t be forking out the $30 to buy the study? I agree it’s a silly study, but still news. Unfortunately, it’s studies like this that result in insurance companies raising worker’s comp premiums when they find out you are working on a green home.
Jason,
LOL… good point, no $20 from me. And I agree with your comment. It’s very unfortunate.
Probably most dangerous to workers because of the shock of silly LEED regulations.
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What a silly article and a waste of resources/time.