Timber iQ Dec 2017 - Jan 2018 // Issue:35 | Page 55

CONTRIBUTORS
The correct tools that are in good working conditions contribute towards ensuring the health and safety of workers on site.
example, someone building walls must be trained and
qualified to do so.
It is essential that a fully-stocked government
regulation DC05 first aid kit is kept on site at all times. A
trained and certified first aid person or officer must also be
on site at all times. Their certificate should also be kept in
the health and safety file and this must be renewed
periodically depending on the course offered.
The health and safety file, issued to the project by the
Health and Safety office of the Department of Labour prior
to commencement of construction work, must be kept on
site always. This file, created by a specialist in the field,
contains information pertaining to that specific site
detailing the potential hazards that could be posed by
the work taking place on the site. Such a file costs about
R5 000 and must be issued before any work
can commence.
Based on my experience, a construction project on a
structure of two floors or more should be registered with
the Department of Labour’s Occupational Health and
Safety division. Registration of the project must occur
before any construction commences; this involves an
enrolment fee and renders the project subject to bi-weekly
visits (days and times at random) by the assigned health
and safety officer, who will do their necessary inspections
for compliance.
WORKING AT HEIGHTS
Working at heights offers a new dimension of
consideration when it comes to safety, especially when it
comes to a timber structure. Workers are not to be
permitted to walk along the timber beams erected to
support the permanent floor structure. Instead temporary
floor boards must be installed and made accessible by
temporary stairs, which must have handrails.
Safety harnesses are to be used when working at
heights of 1m or higher. While this isn’t always practical
during construction, it is prescribed by law.
Scaffolding must be erected by an accredited scaffold
erector with a valid certificate having successfully
completed an erecting course. It is good practice for the
erector to undergo refresher training, after which the
certificate will be renewed. This must also be kept on file
on the construction site at all times.
It is essential for scaffolding on site to be declared safe
for use by the scaffold erector, who will display a green
sign denoting the scaffolding is safe for use or a red sign,
indicating the scaffolding is unsafe and should not be used.
In some unfortunate cases, the owner or builder might
wish to cut corners and save on costs by using site-made
scaffolding; this usually comprises a piece of wood nailed
to a wall with the addition of cross sections supporting a
regular pine plank across where workers can walk. This is a
very dangerous practice and it is not legal or fair to allow
people to conduct their work from such a construction.
Scaffolding is to be erected to legal safety requirements
and must be declared s