Public Safety Checklist for Builders and Building Trades Contractors

• Public Safety Checklist for Builders and Building Trades Contractors ( )
  Document Type: Tool
  Keycode: web only
  Industry: Construction 
  Category: General 
  Current Version: 2
  Publication Date: 12 October 2005
  Date First Published: 01 October 1998
  Summary: This checklist is intended for builders and building trades contractors to assess public safety in relation to construction sites and construction work.

Version 2, October 2005

1. Have you complied with local government requirements?

Local municipal councils may require you to take out certain permits and institute certain safeguards to properly protect adjoining property, roadways, footpaths and other public space. Check with the Council to make sure you have fully met local government requirements.

2. Is the site secure?

Children and the general public need to be protected from wandering into danger on building sites. In populated areas, securely fence your site and lock it up when it is unattended.

3. Is traffic movement properly managed?

Make sure entrances to the site for trucks and mobile plant are properly constructed. Make sure the public is in no danger from traffic movement to and from the site and from trucks loading and unloading alongside the site. Where necessary, post a flagman to safely direct passing traffic and pedestrians. Never allow cranes to load and unload trucks over passing traffic or pedestrians.

In high-volume areas, you may need to construct temporary protective gantries or covered ways over footpaths or laneways. You may also need properly constructed crane loading bays with swing-out gates and warning lights to separate passing traffic from crane-lifted loads. (Refer also to WorkSafe's Roadside Worksite Traffic Management Checklist.)

4. Is the public protected from dust and debris?

You may need to provide full-height perimeter scaffolds alongside building walls which are in close proximity to public space. These may also need to be fully sheeted in shade cloth and/or fitted with protective fans to make sure debris is fully contained. Where necessary, fix hoardings around the base of scaffolds to prevent children from climbing them.

You may need to regularly hose areas where work is creating excessive dust. Make sure that abrasive blasting, oxy-cutting and welding is done behind proper guards to prevent any injury to the public.

5. Is work on public space being properly managed?

Where scaffolds or gantries need to be constructed over footpaths or laneways, organise for the work to be done at times where pedestrian traffic is least. Barricade the area under construction and provide alternative safe access past the work area. Similarly, barricade excavation areas and earth moving plant before any digging commences.