For those members taking a ‘Builders break’, the Association recommends that contractors plan well for this period. The most important task is to secure the site and safeguard all assets.
To this end, the following is a list of guidelines each contractor should adhere to during this period:
- Secure the perimeter of the site.
- Have security guards on-site and select the areas they may access.
- Electrical power on-site: Decide on what security lighting is required and when it will remain on. All other breakers for circuits that are not required should be turned off.
- Only the water supply for security personnel and firefighting should be left on. All other water points must be deactivated.
- All materials that are of high value and are easily transportable should be taken off-site. If this is impractical, the materials should be secured on-site.
- All small power tools and survey equipment are to be removed from the site and placed in safe storage.
- The entire plant should be cleaned and secured on-site. Remove all batteries from the plant and store them securely.
- All keys for the plant and secure containers are to be removed from the site.
- Cranes are to be secured and the boom should be placed in free mode.
- Remove all computers and any other high-value electronic goods from the site.
- Identify any areas of risk on site and secure these areas with barriers and warning signs
- Secure all scaffolding and control access to the scaffolding.
- The contact numbers of personnel who should be notified in case of an emergency during the holiday are to be posted in the security office. In addition, ensure that these personnel know that they have been designated as a point of first contact.
- It is also important to note that there may be bad weather in December. Strong winds can have devastating effects on scaffolding and other temporary structures such as site fencing. Therefore, ensure that these items are properly secured to prevent collapse and injury to others.
If you have any questions about keeping your site secure during the holidays, please contact us (031 266 7070 / [email protected] )
Head: Occupational Health and Safety
