2. Construction Health and Safety Management By Dr Simon Smith – licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution – Non- Commercial – Share Alike License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/

3. Construction Health & Safety Management Simon Smith (University of Edinburgh) & Philip Matyear (Balfour Beatty) Part 6: Site Safety: Setting up site

4. Introduction Setting up a site requires consideration for welfare as well as for safety and health

5. Legislation - Principle Requirements Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 Section 2 states 2(b) the employer makes arrangements for ensuring sfarp,safety and absence of risks to health in connection with use of use,handling,storage and transport of articles and substances. 2(e) the provision and maintenance of a working environment for his employees,sfarp, as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. Construction,( Design and Management) Regs 1994 Applies to all stages of a construction project and places duties upon clients, designers and contractors. The regulations aim to ensure: Reduction of risk at the planning and design stages Selection of competent appointees and provision of adequate resources Effective management of health and safety throughout the project. Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs 1996 Contains specific regulations aimed at the site setting up procedures Reg 15 Traffic Routes Reg 19 Emergency routes and exits Reg 20 Emergency procedures Reg 21 Fire detection and Fire fighting Reg 22 Welfare facilities Reg 26 Good order The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 Places duties on where substances can be stored and work processes which could result in explosive atmospheres occurring.

6. HSE view The HSE inspectors visiting sites and workplaces form their initial views and opinions of a company as they approach the site entrance. A well laid out entrance and site cabins with adequate signage giving the correct information can set the opening impression of what to expect. The Field Operation Inspectors use a Risk Control Indicator guide when assessing the companies performance on site and this RCI is split into 7 headings of which 1 is entitled “Welfare”. They are looking at what is provided for the site operatives with regards to full compliance of the Construction regulations.

7. MAIN POINTS- CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING 1. PRE-CONTRACT PLAN AND HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN During the tender stage of the project, consideration must be given to the setting up of the site correctly and adequate resources allowed for within the tender bid to carry it out. Small or large projects must still have the same provision of Welfare, site access/ egress/security etc to comply with the statutory requirements. After the contract has been won, the Health and Safety Plan is compiled and developed. Within this plan, arrangements for the setting up of the site including office requirements, traffic routes, storage of materials etc is stated. This is a firm commitment by management. 2. SITE VISIT It is always a good practice to inspect the prospective site during tender stage and after the contract has been awarded to ascertain the local environment to assist in planning your site set up. Look for traffic flows,schools in the area,hospitals, major buildings, access routes, statutory undertakings etc. take photographs of the surrounding area which you can use as a reference back at the office.

9. 3. Welfare arrangements Taking into consideration the type of works being carried out will determine the amount of welfare accommodation required such as showers, canteens, drying rooms, offices, meeting rooms etc. Storage of materials whether within the site compound or on site must be planned taking on board access /egress, pedestrian routes within the site and outside. Car parking for operatives, staff, visitors should be on a well defined area of hard standing so that mud etc is not tracked into the welfare area. Is mains water and power available ? If not what arrangements are going to be in place.Storage tank system for waste water may need to be put in. Lay down areas for materials on site are often overlooked until the last minute then they are left in inaccessible areas of the site. Think about the emergency procedures to be put in place, can the ambulance,fire engine or other vehicles access safely? 4.Security The site boundary must be secure to prevent unauthorised access at all times.What you use depends on the local conditions. Examples are 2m high blok’n’mesh panels, 2m high close hoarding,chain link fences. Plan where to store plant and equipment and does this need its own security fence.Will there be a night watchman or roving security person visiting at intervals.What about security devices being installed such as sensors,cctv equipment.

10. 5b.SITE INDUCTIONS Site inductions form part of the site setting up procedures and as such informs persons involved with the site whether employee, visitor or sub contractor the controls implemented for their safe well being. 6.LIFTING APPLIANCES AND OTHER STATIC LARGE PLANT/EQUIPMENT During the initial planning of your site set up, consider where any crane or lifting device that may be programmed to be used during the course of construction be sited. Are there any obstructions now or in the future which could hinder the operation. Sitting of mortar silos,water tanks are to be considered as well for access to them may conflict with pedestrian access on/off the site. Tower crane positions will cause over sail of adjoining properties or operations on site. 7.ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS In planning your site set up, you must be aware of the contamination of the local environment if controls fail. Oil spillages, dust, noise, smells/fumes are a major hazard in the construction industry and the Environmental Agency are taking a firmer stance with offenders and prosecuting construction companies on a regular basis where controls are not in place.

12. Toilets Drying Room Canteen Offices Mobile Wash Station