Planning and Preparing to Work Safely

Planning makes sense from an efficiency point of view but how does it improve safety? When you begin to think about it, there are actually numerous ways. Even simple things like accurately planning quantities of the materials that you need make sense. If you are not making unnecessary trips across the site, you are reducing traffic. If you are not handling more material than necessary, you are potentially avoiding manual handling issues. If you know how much concrete you need for a job, you can arrange to have the right sized trolley to move it. As you can see, each efficiency gain is a safety gain as well.

Watch this video from Safe Work Australia on the benefits of planning and scheduling.

Watch the following video from Buildsum for an overview of setting up a building site.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to the equipment and clothing that is worn or used by you personally to help protect you from harm. In itself, PPE is not ranked as a particularly effective hazard control measure (only rated as level 4). What this means is that it does not usually control hazards at their source. Another way of explaining this is to say that PPE doesn’t stop a hazard from occurring, rather, it helps to protect you from hazards that can’t be fully controlled.

So, while you must always use your PPE, Safe Work Australia explains that PPE should only be relied  on:

• as a last resort
• as an interim measure
• as a backup or in conjunction with other risk controls.

Types of PPE: 

There are various types of PPE that need to be considered when working in construction. Some of these types of PPE are mandatory and are to be worn at all times.  

Safety boots 

Safety boots are a mandatory PPE, which means they must be worn at all times while on the job site. Under no circumstances are thongs, or open-toed shoes to be worn at any time.

 Footwear must comply with AS/NZS 2210.1 and must have

• stout oil-resistant, non-slip soles or steel midsoles to protect against sharp objects and protruding nails.
•  good uppers to protect against sharp tools and materials.
• reinforced toecaps to protect against heavy falling objects.

In some circumstances it may be required to wear safety joggers or rubber boots, however they still need to have to have reinforced toecaps. It is also recommended that boots are worn over safety shoes because the offer more ankle support.

Safety helmets

Safety helmets can help to prevent or lessen a head injury from falling or swinging objects. Safety helmets need to comply with AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets and must carry the AS or AS/NZS label, and must be used in accordance with AS/NZS 1800 Occupational protective helmets, selection, care and use.

Safety helmets must be worn under the following circumstances while on a construction site:

• instructed by the person in control of the workplace.
• carrying out demolition work
• accidental head contact may be made with electrical hazards.
• a person may strike his/her head against a fixed or protruding object.
• it is possible that a person may be struck on the head by a falling object.

Eye and face protection

Eyes and face protection must be worn when there is a risk or hazard to the eyes. Any eye or face protection must comply with AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye protectors for industrial applications. The selected eye protection chosen will depend on the job that is being carried out.

Eye protection must be worn when eyes are exposed to any of the following elements:

1. Physical dust flying particles or objects, molten metals
2. Chemical’s liquid splashes, gases and vapours, dusts
3. Radiation sun, laser, welding flash.

Hearing protection

Hearing protection is recommended in areas where loud or high frequency noise operations are being carried out or if working in an area where there is continual noise. If there is a sign advising hearing protection must be worn, you will need to war it. It should also be work when you are close to or operating noisy power tools.

Signage

Signage placed in significant locations around the perimeter of the work area informs others of the hazards, dangers and the PPE required to be worn in the work area⁶.  Signage is used extensively in building and construction in a number of ways including:

• To advise people that they are entering a hazardous area and that they need to take action. For example, that you are entering an area where hazardous substances are used or where vehicles are operating so to stay within marked lines
• To exclude people from a high-risk area. For example, an area where demolition is occurring
• To provide information. For example, emergency contact information
• To prevent falls, trips etc.

Watch the video from Safe Work Australia about the importance of paying attention to exclusion zones.

Barricades

Barricades include any physical barriers placed to prevent entry and to signify that a danger exists. Three common types of barricades include:

1. Barricade tape -   Barricade Tape is a roll of coloured polyethylene plastic tape printed with a warning message that can be quickly run out around large areas. The tape can be easily nailed, stapled, tied or wrapped around posts, poles, stakes, railings or any convenient support, then rolled up again at the end of the job for later re-use.⁵
2. Plastic water-filled barriers - These are hollow plastic interlocking units; once placed they are filled with water to create an interlocking barrier to prevent the entry of vehicles.
3. Board and trestles - Board and trestles used in building and construction are similar to those found on the side of the road where roadworks are underway.

The tools and equipment that you use each day are critical to your work. The way that you select and use them, is critical to how safe you are at work. When choosing your tools and equipment use the below checklist:

Watch this video from Safe Work Australia on the safe use of power tools.

Damaged tools and equipment

Understand your workplace’s policy and procedure for reporting damaged or faulty tools and equipment. Generally, it should be tagged, immediately removed from service and reported as requiring repair or replacement.

Safety data sheets (SDS) or Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS)

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or material safety data sheets (MSDS) is a document that describes the chemical and physical properties of a material and provides advice on safe handling and use of the material. Employers using or storing dangerous goods or hazardous substances must ensure that they obtain an up to date SDS for each product and that there is ready access to the SDS for people on site.

The following image is an example of what an SDS/MSDS would commonly look like. Be mindful that these will look different according to the product used.

Safe work method statement (SWMS)

The nature of building and construction means that it is an industry that is at high risk for injury and even death to its workforce, contractors, visitors to the site and bystanders. 19 construction activities have been identified as especially high risk. A safe work method statement (SWMS) is a planning tool that identifies the hazards and risks associated with those activities and documents the controls that will be put in place to control the risks and ensure that the work will be done safely. You will find references to SWMS throughout the majority of your studies (and your career). They are an essential part of keeping you and those around you safe. Always pay close attention to an SWMS if there is one available for the work that you are doing. Ask questions if something is unclear, and don’t start work until you are confident that the SWMS is in place and is up to date.

Job safety and environment analysis (JSEA)

A JSEA is a risk analysis and planning tool. It helps you break down each step in a task or project, identify the hazards and risks (safety and environmental), and put controls in place to manage them. The JSEA can be used to inform the development of an SWMS if one is required. Sometimes, a JSEA and SWMS are developed together. It is also important to consider, a JSEA is very commonly known as a JSA, which stands for Job Safety Analysis. It is as equally important as knowing a JSEA. You have been provided with a sample of a completed JSA, click the following link, Sample JSA form and read through the sample. It is essential you know how to complete one of these forms as you may be asked to do so when you are onsite. 

Safety signs

You are likely to come across a series of signs displayed around a worksite. These signs are designed to be clear and visible to those working on or entering a site. They are there to ensure the safety of workers and site visitors and warn them of the dangers or hazards that are on site.

The following images are examples of some of the common signs you may see on a job site. Some of these signs may be a combination of images and words.

It is important that the work area is clean and clear of any hazards and obstructions even before starting to work. In some instances, the work area may need to be cleared, with all rubbish and debris removed and work material neatly stacked or stored in another location to allow for easy access to the workspace. It is important to ensure the ground is also kept as even as possible, and any additional dirt and debris is swept away and if there is water that could cause a slip, the signs are available to place in the designated wet area.⁶