Managing Safety Requirement of Construction Site

Managing Safety Requirement of Construction Site 

What is good for the site is good for you

Managing Site Security

Main Points:- 

1. Sites should be fenced all around with recognised access points, and signs should be displayed warning that it is a construction site and that entry is prohibited.
2. Plant and equipment should be locked away out of sight where practicable, and disabled/secured in situ where not practicable.
3. Never leave keys in any plant when unattended.
4. Hazardous substances on site that may be readily familiar to site employees can pose a serious risk to unauthorised persons who have not encountered them before – lock them away.
5. Implement a suitable method of access control such as a simple sign telling persons to report to the site manager, or could be a manned access point
6. Remove ladders from scaffolding, walls, etc, or board up at the end of each working day.
7. Whilst trespassers, including children, should be challenged and either escorted off site or introduced to the site manager, avoid putting yourself in a position where you could be accused of assault.

The site specific requirements with regard to:

• The law effectively gives trespassers, especially children, the right not to expect to be put at risk if they enter a construction site.
• Site security should ensure that no-one can access the site when occupied without authorisation, and when not occupied without having to clearly commit trespass.

Managing Waste on Site

Waste costs money- That could be your job!!.

1. Consider how waste can be separated where applicable, such as using different skips, etc.
2. Ensure nails etc, are removed from wood or hammered flat to avoid puncture wounds to other persons.
3. Consider how waste is going to be lowered to ground level from height. It should never be thrown down! Consider hoists, waste chutes, etc.
4. If lightweight waste is produced, it may need to be bagged and tied to prevent the wind blowing it all over the site.
5. If skips are to be placed on roads, then permission is required and it must be suitably
6. cordoned off to protect the public and vehicles.
7. Never overload skips – they should not be loaded higher than the sides.
8. Beware of accumulating flammable waste and thus creating a serious fire risk.
9. Never burn or bury waste on site.
10. Dispose of any foodstuffs carefully to avoid attracting vermin and the risk of disease such as Weil’s disease.
11. Inspect your waste! Can it be reduced? Can any of it be reused? Is any of it recyclable?

On Site Safety

The specific requirements with regard to:

• Suitable waste locations must be established, and these must be segregated where applicable (controlled and special waste, etc).
• A formal waste management system should be implemented, i.e. spending the last 15 minutes of each day, or last hour of each Friday, cleaning up the site. 

Portable Generators

The portable generator is valuable on most industrial applications, and it is important to know the hazards and limitations to prevent mishaps.

1. Only run the engine outdoors with plenty of ventilation. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which prevents oxygen from being transferred to the body. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, nausea and sleepiness.
2. Always shut down the engine prior to making or removing connections.
3. Never attempt to move a running generator.
4. Always shut down the engine and allow it to cool before refueling.
5. Never overfill the tank. Stop within ½ inch from the top of the tank to allow for expansion.
6. Make sure that hot exhaust gases are never directed toward anything flammable or explosive. Keep the generator at least 3 feet from any buildings or structures.
7. Consider using a spark arrestor over the exhaust if operating in an area of dry grasses, brush or forest.
8. Be sure you know how to stop the engine quickly in the event of an emergency.
9. Familiarize yourself with the sound output ratings of your generator and wear hearing protection, if required.
10. Keep a fire extinguisher near the generator while it is in operation.
11. Never attempt to connect power to a building unless a licensed electrician has installed an approved transfer switch.
12. Test and reset the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter monthly.
13. Remove all electrical connections and the negative lead to the battery before attempting any type of service to the generator.
14. Always make sure the system is properly grounded before operating. Never connect the generator output neutral to the ground or frame.
15. Know which parts of the generator become hot when running. These areas are not only burn hazards, but the involuntary jerk from touching a hot object could cause your hand to contact a high voltage area resulting in shock.

Underground / Buried Services

Services may not be where you first thought - have you checked/scanned.

Main Points

1. Ensure that all information on existing underground services has been obtained from the main contractor prior to works commencing on site.
2. Always assume that there are live services present on site, even if existing drawings / information indicates that none are present.
3. Do not assume that buried services are always given their recommended cover; cables may often be just below the surface.
4. Treat all services found as live.
5. Ensure that all services are physically located and marked by means of location equipment (i.e. a CAT scanner).
6. Where practicable, hand-held power tools (i.e. Kango Hammers) should not be used to break the paved surface within 0.5m of the indicated line of a service.
7. Where excavating near the indicated line of a service, carefully hand dig trial holes until the line of the service has been established.
8. When the excavator bucket is digging, other personnel should keep well clear of the bucket. Should a cable be struck the driver should stay in the cab, but should he have to leave the cab he should jump down, not climb down otherwise he may be electrocuted.
9. Where a gas leak/electrical strike is suspected the following action should be taken:-

• Remove all people from the immediate vicinity; if a service connection to a building has been damaged, warn the occupants and any adjoining building, to leave the building until it is safe to return.
• Inform the relevant authorities of the leak or BL&P of any cable strike.
• Prohibit smoking and extinguish all naked flames and other sources of ignition, within at least 5m of the leak. CHECK BEFORE YOU DIG!!

MANAGING TRAINEES & YOUNG PERSONS

1. DRESS tidily and safely. Close fitting clothing, tie tucked in, short or rolled up sleeves, safety boots or shoes, safety helmet and high visibility clothing.
2. Pay attention to your supervisors. They will teach you the SAFE way to work.
3. DON’T remove guards from machines, they are provided for your protection.
4. NEVER OPERATE ANY MACHINERY UNLESS YOU ARE AUTHORISED TO DO SO. ALWAYS operate any machine as instructed.
5. Do not operate any plant or equipment until you have been properly trained and authorized in writing to do so.
6. Do not handle any substances which you have had no instruction about its use and possible hazards.
7. Wear all specified personal protective equipment, which is provided for your use.
8. If you have to use compressed air, DON’T direct it at yourself or your work mates. It can be a painful “killer”.
9. Short cuts often lead to shorter lives. Use the recognized routes.
10. Horseplay is fool’s play. Behave sensibly while on the job site.
11. If you get hurt, get proper first aid treatment immediately. Even a small cut can be dangerous if neglected.
12. A good workman is tidy.    A place for everything and everything in its place is a good maxim.
13. If in doubt – ASK
14. Always keep you back straight. If the item is heavy, get assistance. Be sure you have a clear walkway, with no trip hazards and that you can see where you are going.
15. If you see a fire, inform someone immediately and sound the fire alarm.
16. Site cabins and toilets and washrooms are provided for your benefit. Look after these facilities.