Workplace, Environment, Health and Hygiene

Workplace facilities on a construction site should always be kept clean. It is a legal requirement to provide a workplace that has sufficient toilets, showers, change rooms and eating areas that are hygienic. The work environment must also have adequate lighting and ventilation and workers must be protected from excessive noise and heat.

Lighting

Adequate lighting must be provided in dark areas such as stairwells and basements. In plant and storage yards, surveys should be conducted to determine if the light that is provided complies with the minimum requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Ventilation

Make sure that working areas are suitably ventilated. Extraction and Exhaustion systems must be installed where needed. Common hazardous areas that require these systems include areas where chemicals and adhesives are used, where welding is taking place, or where a petrol or diesel motor is running in a confined space or basement. The plant yard’s spray and sandblasting booth should be subjected to a survey to determine if the ventilation is adequate.

Noise

Loud noise over long periods of time can lead to permanent hearing loss. Therefore, it is extremely important that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce noise levels at the source. Areas where noise levels exceed 85dB, must be suitably identified with signage requiring persons to wear appropriate hearing protection. Workers must adhere to these warning signs at all times to avoid any chance of permanent hearing loss. It is recommended to conduct noise surveys for the plant yard to determine the level of sound that workers are exposed to.

Heat Stress

In extreme climate conditions, it is very important to make sure the correct measures are taken to prevent heat exhaustion in problematic areas, such as steel deck work and when the WBGT index reaches 30C. Cold drinking water must be made readily available when extreme temperatures are experienced.?Dehydration has serious consequences for workers’ health. Workers can become dehydrated without knowing it so it is very important to make sure that workers drink adequate amounts of water during the course of the day.

Ablutions

Construction sites must always have suitable ablution facilities available for workers and it is important that these facilities are kept clean and maintained.

The requirements regarding these facilities are:

• There must be 1 toilet provided for every 30 employees with toilet paper available at all times.
• There must be 1 shower available for every 15 employees.
• Soap must be made available for washing hands, as well as a means for drying hands.
• Separate changing areas and facilities must be provided for females.
• There must also be adequate storage facilities provided in the change rooms.
• It is very important to keep all ablution facilities hygienic at all times.

Eating/Cooking Facilities

A suitable, separate, weather-protected area must be designated as an eating area. This area must be separate from the changing area. Make sure there is an adequate amount of refuse bins with lids available in this area. Should food be prepared and cooked on-site it is advisable that the local Health Department approves the facilities.

Pollution of Environment

A Pollution policy which is signed by the CEO must be published on-site. Ensure that there are adequate measures in place to control dust that is generated. A good practice is to water gravel roads on a daily basis. Ensure that empty cement pockets, plastic wrappings, bags and packing material are correctly accumulated and disposed of in the correct manner.

Ensure that oil, chemicals or fuels such as petrol and diesel are not disposed of in stormwater drains. Only dispose of these substances in the correct manner and obtain a certificate from the service provider that has disposed of them.?

Hazardous Chemicals

?Hazardous substances being used on-site, such as diesel, oil, cement, thinners, paint, acids and degreasers must be identified and recorded. This record should be made available to employees. Hazardous substances must be stored safely with segregation principles being applied at all times. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) indicating hazardous properties and emergency procedures in the case of an incident, must be kept on file and readily available.

?Neil Enslin

?Head: Occupational Health & Safety

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal