Got these on your construction site safety checklist?

In 2020, the top violations in construction site safety included fall protection, hazard communication, respiratory protection, scaffolding, ladders, eye and face protection, and machine guarding. All of these accidents could have been avoided by following through with a construction site safety checklist.

Construction site safety checklists are a resource that ensures nothing gets missed when evaluating site safety features, equipment, and procedures, including PPE, work methods, safety training, work areas, and other elements where hazards can exist.

A site safety checklist can be referenced daily, weekly, or as many times as required to ensure the safety of employees and visitors to a construction site.

Here are 7 that should be on your list:

1. PPE safety check

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) checklists ensure staff use the right equipment and are trained in its correct use. PPE must be of the correct type and fitting. PPE must be inspected regularly as the nature of the construction means they are subject to damage. Typical PPE found on a construction site includes high-vis clothing, safety harnesses, and safety goggles, and gloves.

2. Conduct a safety risk assessment

Construction sites are not your average workplace and require a lot more diligence to keep all on-site personnel safe.

A risk assessment should be performed before the start of every construction project, during the project, and at the end of the project.

Regular safety risk assessments are required because constructions sites are dynamic, with the work environment changing from one day to the next.

3. Work method statements

All high-risk sites require a Safe Work Methods Statement (SWMS) to be prepared before work commences. This is law in all states, and work cannot begin until all requirements are met. You can learn more about SWMS for each state at the link below.

• ​Queensland​
• ​New South Wales​
• ​Victoria​
• ​South Australia​
• ​Northern Territory​
• ​Western Australia​
• ​Tasmania​

4. Implement safety training

A construction site worker must hold a white card to legally work on-site. However, all construction sites are unique, so each worker will also require a site-specific training induction, which will include pointing out exits, first aid stations, and high-risk areas, to name just a few.

5. Safety when working from heights

Any construction site worker working from a height of 2 metres, or more is considered to be working at heights. Unfortunately, these workers are the most at risk for sustaining a preventable injury. You can prevent these injuries by using a heights procedure template to improve safety. General tips will include avoiding working at heights if possible, minimising fall distance, and using the correct type of equipment such as fall protection barriers and harnesses.

6. Identify hazards

Hazards are a fact of life on most construction sites, and it’s impossible to eliminate all of them. However, conducting regular safety audits, and using signage, and creating clear communication channels for alerting to bring attention to hazards will significantly reduce the chance of injury or worse.

7. First aid

It’s good practice to have one first aid officer for every 25 workers on a construction site. First aid equipment should also be placed in prominent and easily accessible positions throughout the workplace to ensure quick access.

Need help in making your construction site safer?

I’m Sean Brown, the founder of SMB Safety Pty Ltd, and for over 25 years I have been helping small and medium builders across NSW and Australia build safer construction sites. If this article has you thinking about improving safety on your construction site, give me a call and let me help you fill in the gaps.

Other useful links:

Building and Construction Safety Services

Latest Safety Incident Alerts

Electrical Safety on Construction Sites

COVID And PPE gear defence

COVID-19 has been incredibly disruptive to the construction industry in NSW. Lockdowns have turned many construction zones around the greater Sydney area into unfinished ghost towns. Some hope arrived in August, with new regulations easing restrictions, but still limiting the number of workers on site.

Physical distancing is mandatory to help curb the spread of the virus, and some workers will need to have at least a single or double dose of vaccine to get the all clear to show up for work. Entries and exits must be closely monitored to prevent overcrowding and maintain adequate physical distancing.

The mandates go a long way towards keeping workers safe, but PPE gear is still an excellent second line of defence. The more we can keep the virus at bay, the sooner the construction industry can get back into full swing.

Develop a Covid-19 safety plan

A documented COVID-19 safety plan is mandatory in the Greater Sydney area (other than occupied residences), so here’s what you need to do.

You will need a plan to deal with anybody who becomes unwell on the site. Inform all workers that they must provide immediate notification as soon as they are aware of testing positive or have been alerted that they are a close contact.

Staff should be trained in matters of personal hygiene and use the latest infection control procedures, including cleaning hands, avoiding personal contact, and wearing face masks. If it’s inconvenient for workers to carry personal hand sanitizer, ensure there are hand sanitizing stations conveniently placed around the site.

First aid personnel need to receive adequate training and have access to PPE to minimise COVID-19 exposure as much as possible during administration of first aid, including gloves, facemasks, and protective CPR equipment.

Unfortunately, the pandemic will continue to create challenges for construction workers for some time to come, and we all must work together for the benefit of all. Adhering to the latest guidelines and safety protocols will help us all get back to work sooner.

Need help in making your construction site safer?

Need help creating a safe work environment? I’m Sean, the founder of SMB Safety Pty Ltd, and I can bring my decades of experience in the construction industry to your site to help you keep your workers healthy and safe.

Give me a call and let me help you fill in the gaps of your safety protocols to create a safer work environment for all.

Other useful links:

Building and Construction Safety Services

Latest Safety Incident Alerts

Electrical Safety on Construction Sites

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the NSW construction industry

Working at heights is a high-risk activity. Sadly, it is also a leading cause of death and injury on construction sites across Australia.

Having attended numerous construction sites across NSW, the one thing I continue to find concerning is the incorrect use of ladders.

I’ve lost count of how many damaged ladders I see in daily use and in some cases are literally on their last leg!

“Ladders are up there with the most misused pieces of equipment on construction sites.”

Statistics from the Safe Work Australia website (Source) show that between 2015-2019:

• 122 workers were killed following a fall from heights.
• The greatest number of fatalities involved falling from buildings and other structures (25), ladders (19) and horses, donkeys, and mules (10).
• The construction industry accounted for 40% of falls-related fatalities.

I decided to have a chat with construction workers on various sites to find out their understanding of what should and shouldn’t be done with a ladder with the intent of preventing falls and injury.

What you should do?

• Foot the ladder at the base
• Secure the ladder at the top (best practice zip ties)
• Ladder to be at a ratio of 1:4
• Extend the ladder approximately 1m above the landing at the top
• Use industrial rated ladders
• Always have three points of contact while accessing the ladder.

What you shouldn’t do?

• Don’t carry tools up with you while climbing a ladder
• Don’t use a damaged ladder – remove and dispose of these from your site
• Don’t misuse the ladder
• Don’t obstruct access to the ladder
• Don’t place the ladder in an unsafe environment
• Don’t exceed the maximum rating of the ladder (one person at a time on the ladder).

So how can you play it safe?

The best way to eliminate fall hazards is to perform the work at ground level.

When this isn’t possible, you can manage risks by providing safe access points to and from the workplace, introducing fall prevention devices, arrest systems, and work positioning systems.

Fall prevention systems include roof safety mesh, barriers, scaffolding, and guard railing, to mention a few.

Need help in assessing and improving the use of ladders and other safety standards on your NSW construction site? I am one call away

My name is Sean Brown, and I am the founder of SMB Safety Pty Ltd. In the industry for over 25 years, I help construction based businesses identify safety risks and mitigate them through better worksafe systems.

The starting point is you and I having a no-obligation telephone call about your concerns and objectives. I can very quickly help you identify gaps and clear steps forward.

Other useful links:

Building and Construction Safety Services

Latest Safety Incident Alerts

Electrical Safety on Construction Sites

What you need to know about PPE

According to SafeWork Australia, Personal Protective Equipment, also commonly referred to as PPE, is the term used to describe any item or article of clothing that is used to reduce the risks to a worker’s health and help maintain their safety. 

Today I want to break this down by explaining:

• General requirements relating to PPE
• Mandatory and task specific PPE requirements.

General requirements relating to PPE are simple and straight forward, or are they?

How many workers on site are constantly reminded:

“Put your helmet on!”

“Wear your safety glasses!”

“You need your full-face shield when grinding.”

You wonder how effective the site induction process is at times when workers are observed working not long after the induction.

General PPE requirements apply across construction sites. PCBU’s (person conducting a business or undertaking) must provide PPE to workers:

1. Suitable, having regard to the nature of the work and any hazard associated with the work
2. Suitable, regarding size and fit and reasonably comfortable for the worker who is to use or wear it
3. Maintained, repaired, or replaced, including clean and hygienic and in good working order.

In addition:

1. PCBU must provide the worker with information, training, and instruction – proper use and wearing, storage and maintenance
2. Workers must use or wear the PPE in accordance with any information, training, or instruction
3. Workers must not intentionally misuse or damage the PPE
4. Workers must inform the PCBU of any damage, defect to PPE.

For a more specific reference the information may be found in the WHS Regulation 2017, Division 5 Personal Protective Equipment.

Most construction sites will meet this legal requirement as a minimum through implementation of Mandatory and Task specific PPE requirements.

Mandatory PPE generally include:

1. Safety helmets
2. Steel capped boots
3. Hi visibility vest or clothing.

Task specific PPE generally include:

1. Hearing protection (Ear plugs, Earmuffs or similar)
2. Hand protection (gloves)
3. Eye protection (safety glasses)
4. Face protection (full face shield)
5. Breathing protection (face mask, respirator)
6. Body protection (long sleeve, long pants or similar).

Task specific PPE requirements may be found also from user manuals, product information and the like. For example, when using a circular saw the user manual has a safety section explaining the hazards and the PPE requirements.

Responsibilities?

According to Safe Work Australia, the role of “PCBUs is to ensure PPE is used and worn by the worker, so far as is reasonably practicable and is maintained, repaired or replaced to minimise risk to the worker who uses it. 

PCBUs must also provide the worker with information, training and instruction in the use, maintenance and storage of PPE.

Need help with a PPE assessment? I am one call away

My name is Sean Brown and I am the founder of SMB Safety. In the industry for over 25 years, I help construction based businesses identify safety risks and mitigate them through better worksafe systems.

The starting point is you and I having a no-obligation telephone call about your concerns and objectives. I can very quickly help you identify gaps and clear next steps forward. 

Other useful links:

Building and Construction Safety Services

Latest Safety Incident Alerts

Electrical Safety on Construction Sites