Construction Site Basic Safety Checkpoints

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CONSTRUCTION SITE BASIC SAFETY CHECK POINTS

These procedures are designed to Assist Site Managers, General Foreman, Charge-hands and other supervisory personnel to make sites safer places of work. 

The check points is basic and should be modified to suit local needs.

1. IS IT SAFE?:

   • Pinpoint unsafe situations or practices and take steps to correct them before anyone gets hurt.

2. SAFE ACCESS: 

   • Are roads, gangways, passageways, hoists, staircases and scaffolds properly lit and free from obstruction? Are openings properly guarded?

3. LADDERS: 

   • Are ladders in good condition and properly angled and secured with adequate hand-hold at place landing.

4.  TUBULAR SCAFFOLDS: 

   • Is the scaffolding completely erected with toe boards and guardrails fitted? 

   • Do not overload and ensure that loads are evenly distributed. 

   • Has it been inspected within the last seven days and the results recorded?

5.  ROOFWORK:         

   • Are crawling boards provided and being used?

   • Is there sufficient protection at openings and roof edges to prevent falls?

   • Check for fragile roof covering and for men working underneath.

6. EXCAVATIONS:     

   • Is adequate support material provided and properly fitted?

   • Are barriers and vehicle stops in place? 

   • Have all excavations been inspected today?

7. PLANT AND TRANSPORT:

   • Vehicles and plant must be maintained in good repair, driven safely and be properly loaded.

   • Emphasize and safeguard against the dangers of tipping vehicles.

   • Do not allow anyone to ride in dangerous positions.

   • Do not allow unauthorized persons to operate plant or machinery.

8. MACHINERY:         

   • Are all dangerous moving parts securely guarded, especially the hidden one like projecting shaft ends.

9. GOODS HOISTS:    

   • Is the hoistway fully enclosed with gates at every landing?

   • Are gates kept shut?

   • Has it been inspected within the last seven days and results recorded?

10.  CRANES AND LIFTING APPLIANCES:

    • Is the crane regularly maintained and has it been inspected within the last seven days and the results recorded?

    • Is it sited on a hard level base and clearly marked with safe working loads?

    • Are the driver and the slinger/banksman fully trained? 

    • Are SWL indicators working?

11. ELECTRICITY:       

    • Are apparatus, wires, cables and connections all sound?

    • Check for overhead electric lines or underground cables and take appropriate action if present.

    • Make maximum use of reduced voltage equipment.

12.  MANUAL HANDLING:

    • Ensure that loads are handled and lifted correctly, that gloves are used where necessary and that loads are not too heavy to be handled manually.

13. TRESPASSERS:       

    • Is the site secure against children?

    • Have all ladders been removed, or rungs boarded and plant immobilized?

    • Are all other potential hazards safeguarded?

14. HEALTH RISKS:   

    • Identify harmful materials and substitute if possible.

    • Specify precautions and ensure that suitable safety equipment is provided and properly used.

    • Check atmosphere in confined workplaces and provide air supply respirators if necessary.

15.  PROTECTIVE CLOTHING/ EQUIPMENT:

    • Is protective clothing or equipment provided at least the minimum standard required by law?

    • Is it being worn or used?

16. FIRE RISKS:            

    • Are there adequate fire extinguishers and exits?

    • Are proper precautions taken for storing and handling high inflammable liquids, compressed gases and other combustible materials?

    • Are fires and heaters checked at the end of each working day?

17. EXPLOSIVES:   

    • Ensure that  only authorized  persons  have  charge  of transportation, storage handling or use of explosives.

18.  CARTRIDGE OPERATED TOOLS:

    • Has the operator been properly trained?

    • Is he following the instructions and wearing goggles?

    • Are the tools and cartridges kept in a secure place when not in use?

19. NOISE:                      

    • Is ear protection supplied and worn in noisy surroundings?

    • Are breakers fitted with muffs and noise from other plant or machinery minimized?

20. FALSEWORK/ FORMWORK:

    • Have the design and supports been checked; are props plumb- properly set out - firmly based and fitted with correct pins? 

    • Are the conditions of any timber forms or supports regularly checked?

21. WELFARE:              

    • Are the lavatories, washbasins and mess hut clear?

    • Can wet clothes be dried?

    • Is there a supply of drinking water?

    • Are there appropriate first aid facilities?

22. GENERAL                

    • Are all personnel who are required to operate power tools, plant or machinery adequately trained and / or instructed in the correct techniques and procedures?