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Construction sites often fail to implement safety on site effectively.
Coetzer shares that on brand new reach a higher level, and similar situations, is poor financial planning from the client’s
construction sites, the rules are followed. and we need to investigate it, and that’s side that also lies behind poor
“The principal contractor and the client where I feel most problems are happening,” implementation. “There should be a
know their responsibility. It’s on the Coetzer adds. separate bill of quantities just for health
maintenance sites where we see problems.
and safety,” he says.
The ‘bakkie brigade’ don’t comply to The issue of the matter regulations as they feel the rules don’t Despite having measures in place to isn’t seen enforcing health and safety rules.
apply to them.” He continues, “on such prevent deaths or accidents on site, they “I don’t think they have the capacity to do
sites, where people are already occupying a still occur often. The problem is two-fold, it site inspections at every single construction
building, and the roof is being replaced, this is lack of enforcement by the Department of site. I’d like to see more of a visible policing
is where shortcuts are taken. On Labour and lack of interest from the with regards to regulations,” he adds.
construction sites (typically new building contractors. EHS states that lack of training Randall shares the same sentiment stating
sites) there is not a problem because also plays a key role. that because the department is
everyone follows the rules because its
‘This ranges from failure to adhere to
Coetzer expresses that the department
understaffed, many fly-by-night contractors
either you stick to the rules, or you don’t SANS / EN standards, fatigue, disregarding get away with sloppy and non-conforming
get access to work. We deal with many approved safety working standards, lack of (even non-existing) safety plans.
cases daily where we receive photos of proper supervision of workers onsite and people placing a ladder on a bakkie to poor training,’ it says. Randall notes that it
18
MARCH 2018
RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
Section 38 of the OHS Act as well as the
construction regulations stipulates fines