How to Safely and Securely Organise Your Construction Site

An organised construction site is, without a doubt, a much safer construction site. There are several ways in which to implement safe and efficient practices, including traffic management, good health and safety standards and the safe storage of materials. Read more to understand how to put each into practice.

Traffic management

According to statistics provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an average of seven site workers are killed each year due to vehicle and plant movement accidents. Consequently, we cannot provide a safe working environment without standards in place to ensure good traffic management, which helps protect on-site workers, as well as those visiting, supplying goods, or the general public around the site.

Access points, of which there should be less rather than more, should be clearly marked, free from obstructions, and separate for vehicles and pedestrians. If necessary, pedestrian walkways should be installed so that site staff and other people can walk safely between areas, without coming into contact with traffic hazards. Visible signage and good lighting are important in ensuring people are able to see where they are going without causing accidents.

Moving vehicles pose serious threats, so organising a construction site to help facilitate the safe flow of traffic in and out of the site is important. You can do this by creating specific, clear points for delivery, unloading and storage, as well as having separate areas for parking for staff and visitors which is located away from the site.

Where construction work is carried out in the evening, or during the winter where it is dark earlier on, high-visibility garments are useful. All drivers should have basic pedestrian awareness training so that they are better able to spot potential hazards.

Protecting the public

Many construction projects are carried out very close to public spaces, which certainly increases the risk of unauthorised persons gaining access to the site and being harmed. We already know that construction sites are rife with potential hazards, so ensuring there are effective perimeters in place to create boundaries which keep the public, particularly children, from entering, is essential.

Secure fencing or barriers should do the trick, but these need to be fit for purpose, taking into consideration the size and nature of the site. Moreover, creating one, central entry point for authorised staff and visitors makes it easier to manage who is accessing the site.

Access can be monitored 24/7 using the latest access control systems, which helps manage the workforce and only allows authorised people to enter the construction site via biometric fingerprint identification or CSCS SmartCards. This is certainly the most advanced way to secure your site whilst protecting the public from harm.

Protecting staff

Our staff are our best asset, which is why we must ensure they are kept free from harm and have their basic needs met throughout the working day. Having wireless CCTV fitted helps in identifying and addressing all the potential hazards which might occur and could threaten worker health and safety. As these work round-the-clock, the people monitoring it can rapidly alert the necessary authorities before an accident can occur.

Moreover, providing places for workers to take regular rests, use the bathroom and drink water, is essential in meeting basic staff needs. These should be conveniently located and easily accessible at all times.

Storing materials

By law, all construction sites must be kept in good order, which means materials and plant must be stored sensibly, out of harm’s way. Including a designated materials storage zone is a good idea, particularly in the case of those which are hazardous. Flammable materials should be kept away from anything which could cause and ignition.

Materials which are kept at height must be properly secured using strong, sturdy guard rails so as to prevent falling accidents. Moreover, keeping the site clean and tidy overall is wise, not just for the overall management of the project, but for worker safety too.

Every site is different

Of course, not all construction sites are the same, which is why the organisational requirements of each will differ. However, with clear traffic management, pedestrian awareness, safe storage practices and suitable security in place, your site can remain as safe and protected as possible throughout the duration of a project. With good planning, organisation and training in place prior, this should all be a doddle.