Element 2: Construction site Hazards & Risk Control. Flashcards
What factors should be taken in to account in an initial site assessment?
• Previous / Current use of the site.
• History of the site.
• Area of the site & any restrictions placed on it.
• Topography.
• Ground conditions.
• Other non construction activities on site.
• Nature of surroundings.
• Means of access.
• Presence of overhead & buried services.
What restrictions may apply to an area being considered as a construction site?
• National planning authorities placing planning or statutory restrictions.
• Local authorities having regulations, planning restrictions & building by-laws.
• Buildings listed for preservation.
• Government trade & industry regs requiring permission for industrial development.
• Rights of way.
• Rights of support.
• Rights of light.
• Tunnels, mine workings & abandoned, active or proposed mineral rights.
• Ancient monuments ( fortresses, tumuli etc.) & burial grounds.
• previously potentially contaminating uses of site & adjacent areas.
What site security measures may be used on a construction site?
- Traditional physical & electrical/ electronic measures.
- Management & procedural measures.
Eg:
• Perimeter Fencing.
• security guards on premises.
• Locked gate.
• Means of securing plant & chemicals.
• CCTV & electronic intruder alarms.
• Roadside & security lighting.
• Safe viewing points.
• Visitor registration & sign in procedures.
• Escorting persons while on site.
• Education, especially of children.
What should site rules cover?
• Site access
• Permit to work system
• The wearing of PPE
• Fire prevention rules
• Welfare facilities
• Alarms & emergency response
• First aid facilities
• Accident reporting
• Site transport precautions
The actual rules will depend on nature of site, type of industry where construction work is being carried out.
What precautions are necessary to prevent accidents to children in construction site?
• Security measures
• Secure perimeter fence/ hoarding that is appropriately signed
• Removal of any access ladders to scaffolding, buildings, working platforms etc.
•Providing secure & adequate trench supports
• Immobilising plant & equipment eg. Excavators, dumpers, vans.
• Isolating electrical equipment & ensuring integrity of emergency supplies to the site.
• Reducing height of stacked materials
• Filling/ covering holes.
• Blocking off debris chutes to prevent use as slides ie lids covers
• Locking away any equipment, chemicals, flammable materials in safe & secure storage areas
• Securing storage tanks for oil, petrol, diesel.
• Visiting local schools & giving presentations on construction site dangers.
What welfare facilities does an employer have to provide on a construction site?
• Sanitary conveniences
• Washing facilities
• Drinking water
• Accommodation for clothing
• Changing & rest facilities
• Food/ drink preparation & eating facilities, including boiling water.
• Facilities for pregnant mothers
• First aid facilities
Identify protective measures to be used for working conditions of extreme heat.
• Provide good workplace ventilation
• Limit exposure time for individuals
• Insulate sources by lagging
• Shield heat sources - to control radiant heat & prevent burns
• Provide cool refuges where workers can escape heat
• Provide easy access to drinking water
• Operate job rotation system
• Provide adequate rest facilities
• Provide adequate PPE ( face shields, heat resistant clothing, footwear & gloves) where there is a direct source of heat.
What strategies are available to avoid risk of violence at work?
• Minimisation of cash handling, minimisation of customer/ client frustration & refusing access to potentially violent customers & clients.
• Physical security such as secure doors, surveillance, improved lighting, etc
• Reviewing systems of work to ensure greater security of staff, eg of lone workers.
• Training of employees who may find themselves in high risk situations & provision of information on company policy & actions to take in event subjected to violence at work
What symptoms might an employer notice in employee misusing drugs or alcohol?
• Alteration of personality
• Reduced reactions
• Lack of awareness
• Change in attitude to danger
• Hallucinations
• Blurred vision
• Belligerence or extreme friendliness
• Reduced efficiency
• Absenteeism
• Dishonesty & theft
• Poor timekeeping
• Misconduct
What should a risk assessment of potential hazards to pedestrians consider?
• Natural patterns movement in & around, in vicinity of workplace
• Unnatural patterns of movement, whether authorised or not & which may be reasonably predicted.
• The particular needs of certain groups
• The needs of persons not normally on premises
• The impact of different weather conditions
• Accident & Incident reports
• The effectiveness, in practice of existing measures & systems of work in providing adequate protection for pedestrians
What precautions are required to protect members of public when cleaning operations taking place on building on busy public road within town centre.
• Safe pedestrian routes
• Adequate Warning signs
• Scaffold tunnels
• Tarpaulins or netting to protect from falling debris or cleaning agent that might be used.
What is designated walkway?
Areas which are specially protected from hazards, particularly segregation from vehicles within which pedestrians should be reasonably safe from harm.
Where & how should hazard warning markings be placed?
yellow diagonal stripes on black background- should be fixed by tape or painted onto any object likely to present unforeseen hazard. They may be used to indicate areas to avoid around doors used by vehicles & to mark safe edge of walkway.
Project involves construction of in situ concrete structure including installation of drains on brownfield site. Up to 60 people involved in work at any one time.
Outline welfare facilities that should be in place.
• Washing facilities, including showers.
• Hot & cold water
• Soap & towels
• Toilets
• Changing rooms
• Separate facilities for males & females.
• Facilities to store contaminated clothing separate from clean.
• Area to eat
• Clean drinking water
• Means to boil water & heat food
• First Aid treatment
• Adequate lighting heating & ventilation
