Aplicação da NR-18 em canteiros de obra: estudos de caso em obras de fundação na cidade de Goiânia/GO

Abstract

Workplace safety plays a crucial role in preserving the physical and mental well-being of workers, preventing accidents, and occupational diseases. In this regard, brazilian laws and regulations are essential as they establish guidelines to be followed by companies, ensuring a safe working environment and minimizing the risks of accidents. This study presents an analysis of the main aspects of Regulatory Standard No. 18 (NR-18), which outlines guidelines for accident prevention in the workplace, specifically in the construction industry.The objective of this research is to assess the applicability of the specified items in NR-18 in five vertical construction sites in Goiânia, Brazil, all in the foundation phase. The focus areas include living quarters, electrical installations, stairs, ramps, and walkways, measures for preventing falls from heights, machinery, equipment and tools, scaffolding and work platforms, safety signage, and training. A checklist was developed to determine whether the construction sites comply with the items described in the evaluation sheet. Among the five analyzed sites, three showed compliance results exceeding 85% in the examined items, while two obtained results in the range of 70% to 80% of compliant items concerning the quantity of items assessed at each construction site. Conforming aspects primarily relate to the dimensions of living quarters, encompassing dining areas, bathrooms, and sanitation facilities. Non-compliance was identified in the presence of materials in inappropriate locations and in passageways, the absence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by workers, the placement of manual tools in areas designated for pedestrian traffic, and the lack of identification of electrical circuits, as well as the exposure of live parts or the absence of signage for the risk of electrical shock. In conclusion, the application and adherence to NR-18 in construction sites positively contribute to the preservation of health and safety in the workplace.