RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
FEATURES
A safety harness protects one person , while a handrail can protect more workers on site .
Pexels before commencing and during any construction work , conduct a document a risk assessment by a competent person .
“ The risk assessment must form part of the basis of the health and safety plan and therefore is the first step in the process . It then directs you to identify everything that poses risk and to implement control measures to mitigate each possible risk ,” he explains .
Any PPE required is a result of the assessment and is also a final measure after all other mitigation options of the risks have been established . The assessment typically considers all possible risks or hazards that may occur during performing various work duties on site and if assessments are not done in producing the site ’ s Health and Safety Plan , work on site cannot commence .
“ This document includes the appropriate PPE requirements . You cannot issue someone with PPE unless you know the risk or hazard they are exposed to ,” Coetzer elaborates . For instance , if the assessment finds that a worker might injure their hands , equipment will be required to protect the hands such as leather gloves .
“ The same applies if there ’ s possible injury to the feet - then safety shoes are required . If there ’ s a risk of falling , then a safety harness or solid barrier is required , and so on ,” he says .
The facts
Legislation related to construction health and safety are outlined in the OHS Act , Construction Regulations , the South African National Standards ( SANS ) and European ( EN ) Standards .
“ The OHS Act and its incorporated regulations are applicable for implementation on site , but more specifically General Safety Regulations and Construction Regulations of 2014 ,” says Brian Randall from the Institute for Work at Heights ( IWH ). The regulations reference the employer ’ s duty to ensure employees are safe .
Coetzer further adds that , “ on site there can be many contractors doing different jobs . The client ( or property owner who has ordered the construction work ) is responsible for the principal contractor , and the principal contractor needs to ensure sub-contractors that are hired also comply .”
Before work on site begins the client must prepare a health and safety specification document and then it ’ s up to the contractor to develop and implement a health and safety plan ,” says Randall . Part of the client ’ s duty is to ensure that that people who submit tenders are making provision for the cost of safety in their documentation . “ It further states that the client must make sure that any person who submits a tender is not only competent for the job but has also made provision for safety in their quotes , pricing and systems .”
After the contractor commences work on site , an audit is required every 30 days . ‘ Onsite , the client has to ensure that the safety measures of workers are in place . Workers are equally responsible to adhere to safety standards and regulations ,’ according to health and safety equipment supplier , Evolution Height Safety ( EHS ).
MARCH 2018 17