Assessing Risks on Construction Site Fire Safety

Risk assessment is something that needs to be taken seriously as it sets out the fire procedures and potential risks. This could cover the simple thoughts about how a fire could start in the office or construction site and what materials are around or close by that could ignite and catch fire quickly.

Staff and visitors are an obvious priority as no-one wants to be dealing with people’s injuries, compensation claims or a situation far worse. This is why those people who might be at risk such as visitors who might not know the area or layout and vulnerable people like those who will need disabled access or assistance to leave quickly need to be planned and prepared for.

One way to ensure employees know the risks is to hold regular training and fire exit exercises. It seems like a hassle sometimes to have to leave a meeting or something half way through construction but a fire will not wait while employees try and remember the nearest exit. Planning and training to get everyone out quickly is vital.

Once training has happened, the process of doing this needs to be reviewed and to look for areas of improvement. Can the times to get out of the building be reduced, is there another safe route that no-one will have thought of. Is there a quicker way to review and document any changes on a building site that everyone needs to be aware of, which might speed up an emergency exit?

Falling Materials During Demoliton

Aswell as working at height, there is the potential for workers and pedestrians being injured by premature and uncontrolled collapse of structures as well as flying debris as a result of the collapse.

The risk of any demolition work is that is can cause a premature collapse of the structure. This is why the safe way of working to reduce the risks of accidents and any compensation claims from the public

• Exclusion zones and hard hat areas are essential to protect the public and workers. The exclusion zones need to be clearly signposted and marked.
• Any walkways need to be covered?
• Ensuring the use of high-tech machines
• And finally…making sure that all employees are trained and supervised to reduce the risk of an injury, which might lead to a personal injury claim.

Construction Site Signs - Do You Know Them?

As we are a good way through the construction site health and safety we thought this might be a good time to throw a few signs here. All workers on a construction site need to know these signs to make sure they are following processes and reduce the risk of an accident that might result in a personal injury claim.

Can you identify all of them and where they would be located?

Sign 1.

Clue - Everyone can see this sign?

Answer to follow....