16
BUSINESS AND TRAINING
The influence of weather on construction work and ( sub ) contractors ’ obligations
Uwe Putlitz is a registered professional Architect and Construction Project Manager , a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors ( RICS ) and is a visiting lecturer at the School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand . Having recently retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Building Contracts Committee ( JBCC ) he specialises in the avoidance of construction disputes by way of lectures , technical articles dealing with aspects of contract administration for various industry publications arising from the use of Standard-form Contracts including the Federation Internationale des Ingenieurs-Conseils ( FIDIC ), the General Conditions of Contract ( GCC ), the JBCC or the New Engineering Contract ( NEC ) to find an acceptable settlement without resorting to legal processes , where possible . More info : info @ buildstrat . co . za
“ Execution of the works is governed by the
Occupational Health and Safety Act
1993 ..”
By
Uwe Putlitz
Working on construction sites is inherently a risky business .
Execution of the works is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993 and the Construction Regulations 2014 ( revised 2017 ), which are generally complied with by the larger contractors but less so by SMME contractors , who often have limited cash resources and are not necessarily using the correct equipment . While comprehensive and practical , the regulations are less specific when it comes to dealing with the effects of weather .
Electrical and plumbing subcontractors often have to provide temporary services for use by all other contractors on site . Such services must be repositioned as work progresses on site within normal safety specifications .
Responsibility of designers The Act requires designers to apply their minds at the project concept phase as to how the works are to be executed , and that while novel construction processes may be required – that these remain practical .
Failure to comply The Act stipulates that fines may be imposed , including imprisonment of repeat offenders . A Department of Labour inspector may issue a notice to comply or close any site or suspend any operation not in compliance with the approved Health and Safety plan and the Construction Regulations .
Climatic conditions Historic climatic conditions should be considered when assessing execution risks that may be encountered on a construction site in a particular location . As part of the site establishment , the contractor should provide equipment to record abnormally high or low temperatures , cloudbursts leading to flooding including the quantum of rain over 24 hours , or extreme wind speed or gusts , unseasonal snow or thunderstorms , noting the time of day of such occurrences .
Abnormal climatic events may entitle a ( sub ) contractor to a revision of the date for practical completion and possible compensation should unspecified remedial actions be required . The question to be answered is whether work on site could proceed safely during or after such an event – and if not , to motivate what preventative or other actions are necessary to protect personnel and the works as a whole in order to justify an extension of time claim and additional costs , regardless of the Standard form Contract used .
Construction equipment Where extreme weather conditions are expected , the positioning and use of construction equipment will require particular attention to ensure the safety of trafficable surfaces , the integrity of guardrails , the erection of suspended platforms or scaffolding and / or hoists , bulk mixing plant and the use of tower cranes . Such equipment must be positioned rigidly and restrained in itself or as part of the structure to withstand sudden wind gusts and / or torrential rain . Should such adverse conditions arise the site must be closed and evacuated in an orderly ( rehearsed ) manner .
During regular tool box talks , the construction manager , supervisor or site agent must instil a culture of safe working procedures so that , in the event of an emergency , all employees ’ actions are ‘ automatic ’ to avoid panic and to prevent personal injury and loss or damage to the permanent works or the temporary works .
Personal Protection Equipment The contractor is obliged to provide personal protection equipment ( PPE ) and clothing for all personnel to suit anticipated working conditions on the site : for example , safety signage and barriers , the review of and the training in standard procedures for firefighting , emergency escape routes from excavations or the incomplete structure , and fall protection equipment when working at heights .
Temperature All personnel must wear seasonally appropriate clothing and personal protection equipment . Exposure to very low temperatures even if only for short periods , may cause hyperthermia or frostbite while very high temperatures ( 40 ° C and above ) may cause heat stroke . Where such conditions are likely , restricted working hours may have to be introduced such as working at night to avoid the heat of the day or the provision of industrial heaters during cold spells .
High temperatures may make it impossible to handle hand-tools or the handling of metallic materials for installation without wearing of ‘ special ’ gloves .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline June 2023 Volume 29 I Number 4