Safety on a construction site is paramount for workers, contractors, and the passing public. With the coming and going of heavy machinery, the use of sharp tools, and working from heights, it is imperative for every site manager to Ensure that the environment is as safe as it possibly can be. Everyone on site has an obligation to look out for themselves and each other by observing all Safety practices since working sites are ever-changing, dynamic environments.

Before construction begins, site managers should develop a safety plan to assess the potential risks and hazards of the work they are undertaking. All companies should have health and safety processes and procedures, but these should be re-evaluated and edited to correspond with a new site. Managers should also check if the staff are reliable and aware of the risks associated with the job. A safety plan is only worthwhile if it is regularly followed by both employer and employee alike.

How can I keep my site safe?

There are a number of ways to ensure a site is as safe as it can possibly be–from ensuring that the staff has everything they need to practice good protocols and that equipment and the site itself is up to scratch.

Keep Staff Safe

Provide PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be readily available on-site for every worker and visitor. It is up to the employer to ensure that all on-site staff has PPE. If not, it should be provided and monitored to ensure it is being used properly.

Appropriate training should also be accessible, so workers know when and where personal protective equipment is required. Some construction workers may be happy to provide their own PPE but, once again, an employer must ensure that it meets requirements.

Host an Induction

Every worker should have an onsite induction to ensure they know the site well enough to navigate their way around in general, but also in the event of an emergency. Staff should be aware of where vehicles will be entering and exiting the site, as well as where forklifts might operate or where construction workers are working on scaffolding above them.

Provide Registers

Not only should there be a register to keep a note of who is on-site at any time, but there should also be a health and safety register where risks and accidents can be logged that is accessible to all workers on site. In conjunction with risk management strategies risks that have been identified, they should be logged in a register, assessed, and noted how the risk was managed. The hazard should then be reviewed and monitored before deemed safe again.

In the same instance, all accidents, even scrapes and cuts, need to be recorded to comply with stringent health and safety standards.

Keep it Clean

Your site should be cleaned and maintained at the end of every day. Materials and equipment should be put somewhere safe and secure so workers won’t trip or slip. Being orderly helps with safety and avoids any confusion on the site the following day.

Loose materials should be secured so they don’t blow around in adverse conditions, causing potential accidents. All machinery should be switched off before the site is left overnight.

Protect the Public

Contain Dust

If your site is in a public environment, it is a necessity that you take measures to control the spread of dust and debris from blowing onto public roads and spaces. This can be done by purchasing fence mesh banners that are printed to wrap around the site.

These mesh banners are perforated to allow airflow so fences do not fall over due to heavy advertising signs. They also prevent the spread of dust and debris from onsite construction.

Appropriate Signage and Lighting

The perimeter of your site should have appropriate signage indicating that work is on-going and that the public should not enter. Signs should also be displayed if any chemicals are in use or if asbestos is being removed from the site. This is to warn the general public in the surrounding area.

Your site should be contained with proper fencing and lighting so the public does not wander on to the site by accident, especially at night.

Using Machinery Safely

Machine Safety Guides

All heavy machinery should come with instruction guides and manuals to help ensure user safety. On-site supervisors must also ensure that personal using machinery have all relevant qualifications before operating the equipment.

Maintenance

Machine maintenance should be conducted regularly and in line with health and safety standards. Test emergency stops should be checked alongside any safety guards to ensure that the equipment is operating safely and is fit for use. Machinery should be cleaned regularly to prevent dust build-up that could result in a spark or fire. All PPE needed to operate the machine, like earphones, safety goggles, or gloves should be bought.

In all, the anatomy of a safe construction site can take time to rationalize and can vary depending on the type of construction that is underway, as well as the location of the site. In such a dynamic environment, it is important to take all necessary precautions to certify that workers, contractors, and the general public feel safe. Site managers should always check that their site complies with health and safety guidelines, not only nationally but on a local scale. The advice can vary from council to council so check with the local authorities to guarantee that all protocols are being fully addressed.

Encourage your on-site workers to address safety issues straight away and to raise any queries or thoughts they have on how the environment could be made safer. This is a much better approach than addressing an issue after something has gone wrong and someone is hurt. Remember, as the site owner, you can be made liable if your site is inspected and there are apparent unnecessary risks.