There’s no construction site or site of operation in which safety should be an afterthought. The general rule any professional planner should live by is that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong, and taking steps to prevent that will be essential.
This preventative mindset will mean you pay attention to all of the details, never let second best be an option, and also makes you take a cohesive look at your safety plans and how each system interacts with one another.
However, as you’ll often find, all of this is just a platitude. When planning for the correct safety outcomes, essential planning, documentation, and strict procedure is essential, and this is a tangible set of tasks and reporting focuses that should be appreciated.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to correctly protect a job site, what hazards and threats you may find, and how to ensure even a wider space is secured:
Clear Borders
Most construction crews use temporary fencing, and the fence type actually matters. Chain-link is most often used because it’s great for projects that stick around a while, but sometimes plastic mesh fences might do the trick if you need to quickly seal off an area, as can plastic ribbons.
But keep in mind that such borders won’t help much if they keep falling over, and so you could try adding some concrete blocks here and there to keep everything sturdy, or install them capably into dirt ground. Consider the properties of the site, where the safe distance will be, how you can gate access, and where appropriate authoritative reviews of entry can take place.
Visible Signs & Directions
There are official symbols and sign standards that must be in place on a job site, such as the ever-recognizable hard hat symbol or the no entry sign. But sometimes custom instructions must be given. Such signs need to be placed at points where decisions are made, such as before entering hazardous areas, at pathway connections, and anywhere specific dangers exist. You need to make sure you get the message clear and use brevity, as vague warnings get ignored. On top of that, many sites neglect to consider visibility conditions throughout the entire workday, and so reflective materials may be necessary.
Safely Stored Equipment
Organization logic matters tremendously. Tools grouped by function, frequency of use, or by crew assignment will help you ensure the daily retrieval of your equipment and tools follows an organized system people actually follow, which ultimately lets them be tracked. The easier you make proper storage, the more likely workers comply with protocols, even if they have to bring lifting equipment from one area to another, or store sharp tools that could otherwise be considered a safety risk. Tool sheds and an inventory system for their use will ensure a job site is correctly managed, and assigning a staff member to specialist equipment can help act as a gatekeeper for you in such circumstances.
With this advice, you’re sure to protect that job site with confidence.
