SITE PLANNING AND LAYOUT 1 Site layout

A badly planned and untidy site is the underlying cause of many accidents resulting from falls of material and collisions between workers and plant or equipment. Space constraints, particularly in urban work sites, are nearly always the biggest limiting factor and a layout, which caters best for the safety and heath of workers may appear to be difficult to reconcile with productivity. Proper planning by management is an essential part of preparation and budgeting for the safe and efficient running of a construction operation.

Before work even begins on site, thought needs to be given to: • The sequence or order in which work will be done and to any

especially hazardous operations or processes.

• Access for workers on and around the site: Routes should be free from obstruction and from exposure to hazards such as falling materials, materials-handling equipment and vehicles. Suitable warning notices should be posted. Edge protection will be required at the edge of floor openings and stairs, and whenever there is a drop of 2m or more.

• Routes for vehicular traffic: These should be “one way” as far as practicable. Traffic congestion prejudices the safety of workers from unsafe drivers.

• Storage areas for materials and equipment: materials need to be stored as close as possible to the appropriate workstation, e.g. sand and gravel close to the cement-batching plant, and timber close to the joinery shop. If this is not practicable, it is important to schedule the arrival of materials;

• The location of construction machinery: This is usually

dependent on operational requirements so that tower cranes are subject to constraints such as their radius of operation, and pick-up and unloading points. The objective should be to avoid the need to slew the load over workers.

• The location of trade workshops: These are not usually moved after they are built.

• Artificial lighting: At places where work continuos or workers pass after dark.

• Site security: The site should be fenced in to keep out

unauthorized persons, children in particular, and to protect the public from site hazards. The type of fencing will depend on the location of the site, but in populated areas it should be at least 2m high and without gaps or holes. Overhead protection will be necessary if tower crane loads pass over public thoroughfares. • Arrangements to keep the site tidy and for the collection and

removal of waste.

• The need for low-voltage electric power supplies for temporary lighting, portable tools and equipment

• Training needs of both workers and supervisors.

5.2 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS:

After preparing the layout of the site, it is essential to program construction activities, detailing

• Sequential order of construction

• Plans about layout of temporary construction site buildings, etc.

• Action taken toward planning and co – ordination activities between different operations and crafts.

• Access to work areas.

These will enable the proper utilisation of the space, unnecessary wastage of material due to prolong storage, maintenance of better housekeeping and hiring of costly equipment and skilled personnel for a minimum period.

5.3 IN – BUILT SAFETY MEASURES:

At the planning stage itself safety should be integrated in all the planned activities. The material for construction, the machinery to be used and the method of construction should all be evaluated with reference to the site, the type of people to be engaged, the infrastructure available and the environmental conditions and adequate in built safety measures and work methods should be evolved.

5.4 HOUSE KEEPING:

Many accidents occur at the site due to tripping, slipping or falling over materials and equipment which have been left lying around, and stepping on nails which have been left projecting from timber. Good house keeping is an important element of accident prevention. It should be planned at the beginning of the job and carefully supervised until the final clean-up while handing over the site to the client.

It is recommended to have a regular clean up in all job sites. However, house keeping should be the concern of all supervisors and engineers in their respective area of working and not left for the clean up crew. In any case, house keeping should be a part of daily routine with clean up being a continuous procedure.

In general rubbish and scrap should not be left at the work site. Gangways, working platforms and stairways should be clear of equipment and materials, not in immediate use.

Simple rules for good house keeping are as follows:

1. Storage areas : All materials should be maintained in neat

stockpiles with well laid aisles and walkways for ease of access. There shall not be any projections in the walkways.

2. Work areas: loose materials, scrap, tools, etc shall not be allowed

to be lying in the working areas especially in the vicinity of ladders, ramps stairs, etc. This is more important at heights where the loose materials are liable to fall down.

Spills of oil and grease should be removed immediately.

An effective means like provision of receptacles should be provided to store waste and scrap pieces.

3. Protruding Nails : Protruding nails in wooden pieces is a chronic

problem in civil sites. It is worthwhile to have one or two helpers continuously for retrieving protruding nails.

4. Scrap yard : Wooden scrap yard should be well away from any

gas cutting or welding operations and 'No smoking' shall be strictly. ensured. All other combustible wastes like cotton wooden boxes,

5. Lighting : Adequate lighting should be provided in and around all

work areas, passage ways, stairs, ladders & other areas used by personnel.

6. Openings in floors : All openings in floors where our workmen.

are liable to work or even pass through shall be either closed or barricaded. If they are closed, a visible warning sign shall be kept to indicate the open . sing below the cover.

7. The approach road from and to the work site shall never be

blocked by parking vehicles or stacking materials, etc. thus blocking the movement in case of emergencies.

5.5 SAFETY AT STORES:

The handling, storage and transportation of hazardous materials are dealt at the appropriate chapters.

In general the following should be adhered to:

• In case of storage of flammable or toxic substances, adequate

ventilation should be provided.

• Illumination should be proper and should confirm to the relevant rules and standards.

• Adequate draining facility should be provided to avoid flooding.

• There should be sufficient passage provided for easy movement of material and lifting machinery.

In addition to above requirements, the provisions under Rule 51 of the Building and Other Construction Workers ( Regulation of Employment and conditions of Service ) Central Rules, 1998 should be complied with. Since it covers the stacking of all construction material, this rule is given below:

Stacking of materials- The employer shall ensure, at a construction site

of a building or other construction work that-

(a) All building materials are stored or stacked in a safe and orderly manner to avoid obstruction of any passageway or place of work; (b) Material piles are stored or stacked in such a manner as to ensure

stability;

(c) Material or equipment is not stored upon any floor or platform in such quantity as to exceed its safe carrying capacity;

(d) Material or equipment is not stored or placed so close to any edge of a floor or platform as to endanger the safety of persons below or working in the vicinity.

6. Civil work