BACK TO BASICS – CONSTRUCTION SITE HOUSEKEEPING

Every week, 50 construction workers in NSW alone are injured seriously enough to stop work because basic site safety and housekeeping is not up to scratch. 

These injuries might not be life-threatening, but they are painful, costly, and the effects can be permanent, making it difficult to work in the future.

They’ll hurt their back or neck, tear a ligament, cut themselves or break a bone. On average, these injuries will keep them off the job for about 15 weeks. And it’s costing industry over $50 million a year.

Poor supervision, and particularly poor housekeeping, is often to blame. Workers might cut open a leg on an offcut, trip over building rubble or strain a knee stepping backwards off a plank.

Housekeeping runs hand in hand and is a critical component of every company policy

1. WHS

2.Environmental

3.Micro Cost Control

4. Staff Development and Training.

Leaving Housekeeping to the final stages of the building phase , places a huge burden on management and builders clean operations to meet completion deadlines and can run to cost overruns and damage to finished surfaces

Good housekeeping doesn’t just happen and must be an integral component of work culture on site during the total building phase

Everyone on site needs to do their bit. It’s time to get back to basics.

Start with a clean slate “Start Clean Build Clean Finish Clean”

Ensure housekeeping is included in all work activities, from planning through to start-up and completion.

Contracts State in the contract that each trade is responsible for   cleaning up after themselves and that penalties might apply if they don’t. That will include the principle contractor cleaning up work areas and back charging all costs involved

Site rules  Before work starts, develop site rules that include housekeeping responsibilities, and make sure everyone on site knows them during the induction process . Safety plans Ensure the site layout supports good housekeeping, eg designated delivery and storage areas, waste management, walkways and vehicle parking.

Supervise, supervise, supervise!

Once the site is established, proper supervision is critical to ensure everybody follows the site rules. Principal contractors and sub-contractors should:

•   monitor the work through weekly inspections using a standard check list and fix any problems. Complete weekly report for Safety Dept

•   ensure contractors and visitors know who the site supervisor is. Place photos of Project manager, Site Manager and Safety Officer on notice boards and crib room walls

•   ensure  the supervisor is available and contactable

•   ensure all workers and visitors receive a site induction

•   ensure the site is maintained in a tidy condition. That includes the site office to set example to all on site. ALL SWMS to be checked & must include Housekeeping component

•   At every site induction place heavy emphasis on housekeeping and the penalties involved if that part of the site rules are not adhered to by everyone on site

•   Separate scrap into categories eg1. Steel 2. General 3 Recyle  . Don’t for example throw steel out with general rubbish. MT Bins regularly

•   Make Housekeeping standards a key component of every site manager’s and supervisors Performance Review

Does your site tick all the boxes? Ask us if you need Help

Anyone should be able to safely access or work on site. Regularly inspect your site at least weekly to ensure contractors are following the rules, including keeping the workplace tidy and correctly storing tools equipment and materials. Have supervisors complete a report on Housekeeping weekly and provide it to your safety officer or Dept.

Watch this space next week for a  checklist to help you to keep your site tidy – and your workers safe