How To - Construction Safety Assessment

Construction Safety Inspections are hardly ever looked forward to. In fact, a lot of construction workers feel scared by the prospect of their building site being inspected by anyone. The fact that inspections rarely result in closure of a site is beside the point. If you want to be sure you'll pass your next safety inspection, just follow these simple rules and you'll be best friends with your inspector.


Put first aid first!

Health and safety policy need a simple but effective procedure to follow in order to keep your first aid up to scratch. A Construction Safety Inspection will almost always begin with your first aid box. Identifying and assessing a first aid box is an important part of keeping your site safe. The most important things to consider when assessing your first aid is the location: Is it easily available? The contents of your first aid box should be appropriate to your grade of site and, importantly, in date. This is something often overlooked by site managers.


Fire safety

Fire extinguishers are an essential part of any Construction Safety Inspection. You should make sure your fire extinguishers are easily available and have been inspected. Similarly, fire exits should be well posted and understood by all on site personnel. Any exits from the site, particularly fire exits should be easy to negotiate as well. Never block a fire exit. Ever.


Equipment storage and use

During a Construction Safety Inspection, many items of equipment will be assessed. This includes storage, use and condition. If you work on a construction site, the chances are you will have to use equipment to gain access to higher areas. Any ladders and lifting equipment must be properly latched and in excellent condition. A frayed or inappropriate rope is something likely to arouse suspicion in any Construction Site Inspection. Similarly, any cutting or drilling equipment must be in proper condition. For many site managers, this is something overlooked, as the cost of replacing tools can be prohibitive. Remember, a poor tool can be a nasty hazard!

General site quality

While many construction sites are, by their very nature, not the cleanest of places, they should always maintain a level of workable tidiness and basic hygiene so as not to give rise to any health and safety issues. Loose chippings and debris should be effectively dealt with. A certain amount will be tolerated, but as soon as it becomes a tripping hazard or unsafe to walk on, a Construction Safety Inspection will cite it. Stairs and access routes will be particularly identified. Also, if your site has any digs present, these will be examined very carefully for any signs of cave ins or dangerous procedures.

Shock treatment

Do your site workers know what to do in the event of an electrical medical emergency? It's questions like this which any Construction Safety Inspection will bring to the fore. Electricity is particularly dangerous in construction, as there is always the possibility of miscommunication and mistakes resulting in the electrocution of site workers or visitors. Making sure all tools are grounded and double insulated is a good start, but you will also have to consider the condition of any electrical paneling and wiring with any Construction Safety Inspection.

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