Capital Insight Pty Ltd ABN SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE NSW Housing NBJP Program Development and Project Management Services Public Interface Risk April 2010

Public Interface Risk Noise / vibration Dust / fumes Mice / cockroaches

Public Interface Risk Noise / vibration Dust / fumes Mice / cockroaches Site Security Plant movement and traffic management

Site Security and Public Access Statistics are difficult to identify Point of focus for NSW WorkCover Specifically included in the National Standard for Construction Work Contacts (2005) A person with control of a construction project must ensure that members of the public are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the construction work. (Section 8.6, National Standard for Construction Work)

Site Security and Public Access In February this year a man sustained a fractured skull and leg when he fell four metres from an elevated work platform after gaining unauthorised access to a construction site in Bathurst. In August last year a 39-year-old man fell into a pier hole and drowned after gaining access to a residential construction site in Kingswood in Sydney’s west. Over the past five years, more than 40 infringement notices have been issued in relation to unauthorised persons accessing construction sites. Source: NSW WorkCover Media Release December, 2009

Site Security and Public Access NSW WorkCover risk assessment tool for this issue is (simplistically) based on two things: temptation hazard We (and the Contractor) need to take on a different mindset for this particular OH&S issue.

falls from partially constructed houses and scaffolding electric shock from “live” cables drowning in open excavations suffocation or crushing from collapsing material coming into contact with hazardous substances falling onto protruding reinforcement bars etc. Source: NSW WorkCover OH&S Guidance for House Builders, 2007 Site Security and Public Access Unauthorised visitors, (including children), may not be deterred by warning signs, have no awareness of the dangers that may be present on a residential building site and have no idea of the risks that they may be exposed to once they have entered a site. These risks can include serious injury from

Electrical power is off Access to elevated floors, scaffolding, ladders is blocked Plant and equipment, tools, chemicals and dangerous goods are securely stored Water drums are emptied Cover excavation areas such as pits, trenches and pier holes Appropriate signage is erected with contact telephone numbers Adequate site security Source: NSW WorkCover Media Release December, 2009 Site Security and Public Access Site controllers should conduct a site-specific risk assessment to determine fencing requirements and should ensure that while sites are unattended:

Plant Movement and Traffic Management If pedestrian, traffic or plant movements at or near a construction site are affected by construction work, the person with control of the construction project must ensure that these movements are safely managed so as to eliminate or otherwise control any associated health and safety risks. (Section 8.3, National Standard for Construction Work)

Plant Movement and Traffic Management A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is required for development consent. Requirements for TMPs are set by Council and (in NSW) are normally based upon the RTA Manual (Traffic Control at Work Sites). We should know what the TMP says and should know if/when the Contractor is not complying.

Plant Movement and Traffic Management A TMP should consider the affects of construction on: public transport services emergency vehicles heavy vehicles cyclists pedestrians traffic movements

Plant Movement and Traffic Management NSW WorkCover Code of Practice for Moving Plant on Construction Sites (2004) identifies a number of hazards and potential control measures.

isolating vehicles and plant - for example, vehicles or persons may be guided around or past the work area using fencing, barriers, barricades, temporary warning or control signs, or a combination of these to secure the area where moving plant is used planning the direction that plant moves, so the visibility of operators is not restricted using spotters/safety observers to control traffic movement The use of specific measures to eliminate or control identified risks should be done on the basis of the risk assessment. In particular, consider the following:

training persons carrying out work on or near public roads in accordance with AS Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control devices for works on roads and the 1998 Roads and Traffic Authority Manual: Traffic control at worksites and Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices implementing safe working distances using audible reversing alarms and/or other technologies or other safe work practices. minimising the amount of moving plant working at one time implementing systems of control and notices at all entrances and exits where construction vehicles or plant enter or leave the work area by public roads, to protect and warn all persons approaching or in the vicinity identifying designated delivery and turning areas