FEATURES
“ By undertaking various forms of training, workers become more aware of the complexities of working on a site. The experience gained about the task at hand and the associated health and safety considerations make workers more competent. A competent worker is a safer worker and the continuation of periodic training will be to the benefit of the employer and worker,” says Ferriman.
Slabbert recommends that in terms of floor / substructure elevation, project managers must ensure that construction sites are hazard free as far as possible.“ In the case of a timber structure, workers are not allowed to walk along the timber beams that will later support the permanent floor structure,” he says. Temporary floor boards must be put in place, which should be made accessible by temporary stairs, complete with handrails.
Scaffolding must be erected by an accredited scaffold erector who has attended a scaffold erecting course and he must have a valid certificate.“ It is best practice for this certificate to be renewed every two years, subject to refresher training, and must be kept in a file on site at all times,” says Slabbert.
It is essential for scaffolding on site to be declared safe for use by the scaffold erector, who will display a green sign denoting the scaffolding is safe for use, or a red sign, indicating the scaffolding is unsafe and should not be used.“ Putting people’ s lives and safety at risk is simply not worth the‘ savings’ of shoddy, site-made scaffolding,” he says.
RISKS OF NON-COMPLIANCE
In some unfortunate cases, the owner or builder may want to cut corners and save on costs by using site-made scaffolding. Other on-site blunders include failure to put‘ danger’ tape around dangerous areas; staff who don’ t wear hard hats, eye wear and masks while working; and loose cables and timber on the floor that workers can trip over.
“ Non-compliance with health and safety regulations puts your staff in danger of being physically hurt or worse. From a legal perspective, depending on the severity of non-compliance, your site runs the risk of being shut down,” Slabbert says. Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal says that workers fail to consider the risks when taking chances and shortcuts.
Workmen’ s Compensation is crucial for all construction companies to have. The fund offers a type of insurance that pays out if an accident or fatality occurs on site and everything is found to be compliant.
“ If an employee gets hurt they may not necessarily inspect the site, but if a fatality occurs, the site will be shut down and inspected,” says Slabbert.
If an accident or fatality on a construction site is found to be non-compliant, the construction company stands a good chance that the Department of Labour’ s Workmen’ s Compensation Fund will not pay out and the construction company will foot the costs of any damages or compensation.
THE END OF IT ALL
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal states that in addition to saving lives and preventing occupational injuries among
Some contractors use site-made scaffolding to cut corners. Image: South African Builder
those who work at fall risk positions, it makes good business sense to have a fall protection plan, to use the right fall protection equipment and provide the correct training.
“ Ensuring proper health and safety measures on site is a small price to pay to ensure compliance with the law,” says Slabbert.“ Inspection must be done every morning before starting work. Materials and equipment on upper floors must be kept at a safe distance from the end of floor, packed neatly and visible,” says Williams.
Slabbert recommends having a‘ toolbox talk’ with workers, a 15- to 20-minute meeting detailing daily tasks, possible hazards and preventative measures.“ The health and safety officer must also ensure that everyone has – and is appropriately utilising – their PPE. This is an essential part of the toolbox talk,” he says.
Ferryman states that working at heights is a risk that cannot be avoided but rather managed and mitigated.“ The site-specific fall protection plan in conjunction with a sitespecific risk assessment and the associated safe working procedures, designed by a suitably qualified person, must be implemented and adhered to by all workers,” he says.
It is mandatory to have a health and safety officer on site and it is important to make sure that workers have everything they need to do their work, instructions on what to do for the day and a good understanding of the safety hazards that come with their tools and jobs.
“ The more you talk about safety, people will more rapidly and effectively implement safer building habits. We know that habits eventually become behaviours and behaviours are the cornerstone of work ethos,” says Slabbert.
WHAT IS NEEDED FOR A SAFE WORKING AT HEIGHT SYSTEM?
• Fall protection plan
• Fall arrest and or rope access system for all working at heights
• Certified, inspected equipment
• Safe certified anchor points and / or anchor lines
• Training proving competence for working at height in line with the Skills Development Act
• Licenced technician for working at height through the Institute for Work at Height( IWH)
• Rescue equipment and rescue plans
Source: Height Safety Holdings
34 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 //