When setting up a construction site, many aspects can be easily overlooked or rushed. As a contractor, it’s important to make sure the project runs smoothly, especially when it comes to the health and safety of your team.
And that begins with setting up your site safely.
In this article, we run through a checklist for Australian contractors setting up a construction site so that you can rest easy knowing nothing has been forgotten.
Why Construction Site Setup is Important
Due to the nature of construction work, sites can be set up in a hurry, but it’s important the setup is carried out properly to ensure construction runs smoothly and paperwork is all taken care of. This is especially important to ensure that you’re covered in the event of a health and safety audit from your local WHS regulator.
The main priority with setting up your site is that all documentation is taken care of; your workers, visitors and the public are kept safe; and that your site is properly secured in line with your local regulations.
1. Complete your health and safety documentation
From the beginning of construction, key information must be displayed on site to adhere to regulations. Setting up a noticeboard is a great step. On this, you can display health and safety information, insurance certificates, and fire and emergency plans.
When it comes to safe working practices, it’s also important to have risk assessments and workers permits/licenses documented. This ensures high-risk construction activities meet regulations.
Finally, other safety documentation includes training records, induction forms, and the construction site register. This ensures you are keeping track of the construction workers at your site and that they are all trained and safe to be there.
2. Organise site facilities including toilets and washrooms
Setting up your construction site can’t be finalised until you have all the necessary facilities to ensure your team is well catered for. A site office, portable toilets, canteen/kitchenette and storage space are important, especially for long days on site.
Plus, if you’re planning on doing some night work, a good strong lighting tower is a must.
3. Establish site security
Intruder detection, access control and construction site CCTV are all essentials to construction projects to prevent theft, damage and unauthorised entry. Depending on the needs of your site, you will need to cater to the size of your project and the surrounding environment.
However, perhaps the most simple yet effective element of construction site security is setting up your temporary fencing.
4. Secure the construction site’s perimeter with temporary fencing
To protect the construction site perimeter, you should erect a temporary security fence as a physical barrier to ensure your site’s safety and security. Not only does a strong temporary fence protect your assets, materials and hire equipment against theft and vandalism, it also helps to protect the public from injuring themselves on your site.
Construction site temporary fencing guarantees the safety of your site, your workers, and the general public, which is why it is mandatory in the WH&S legislation of most states.
Safety signage on your perimeter fence can indicate to workers site instructions and necessary PPE. Finally, it also highlights to passers-by any danger surrounding the site, as well as providing directions for site visitors.
5. Include road and traffic barriers around the site
Barriers can be grouped into either road rated or pedestrian/car park barriers. Some barriers are designed to handle impacts from cars travelling at speeds, such as the Lo-Ro water filled barriers, or the Deltabloc concrete barriers. These are stringently tested and approved for use in road work traffic applications.
Other types of water filled barriers are not crash rated, however, they’re still great for providing low impact worksite protection or being used as a visual barrier to control pedestrian traffic.
They can also be useful on site to demarcate your site office or separate staff areas from heavy earthmoving equipment like excavators. For more detailed information, take a look at our article on how to choose the right barriers for your site.
Why Choose Orange Hire for your temporary fencing and barriers?
For any construction or infrastructure project, we can provide a range of hire equipment including temporary security fencing, traffic barriers, pedestrian barriers, portable toilets and a wide range of safety barriers.
Contact our friendly team today for fast and efficient service – we service areas right up and down the East Coast.
