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Health & Safety
Radon , Fire Saftey , Security
Construction work is very dangerous and every precaution should be taken to insure the safety of everyone involved in your project. Before you start your project you must do a safety plan to cover every potential danger that could come up during your build. The following is a guide to the kind of things you should be looking at;
The first thing you should make sure of is that all the professional doing jobs on your build have all their safety requirements and they are fully insured against public liability. At the end of the day you do not want it to come back on you if someone else has not taken the right precaution’s.
Scaffoldings:
Scaffolding is used in construction as a safe platform for working at heights. However, if the scaffolding is not set up properly not only it does not do the job it is designed to do, it could be a hazard itself to anyone around. So, you have to make sure that the whole structure is sound and you should take the following things into consideration:
Stability - Prior to erection you must make sure that the right design of scaffolding is being used for the job. Guard rail - If the height of the platform is more than 2 meters a guard rail and toe boards must be fitted to stop anyone from falling. Brick Guards and netting - If there are any possibilities of material falling a brick guard and nets should be fitted. Over Loading - Make sure that the scaffolding is never over loaded as the consequences can be fatal. Working Platforms - These should be wide enough and be strong enough in order to allow safe passage for the number of people working on the scaffolding. Ladders - These should be fitted securely to the scaffolding to give access to the levels needed. When the scaffolding is unattended, all ladders should be taken away and stored in a safe and secure area.
Excavation:
There is always a possibility of collapse of the sides in any excavation with danger of people being buried underneath so you have to make sure that if your build requires deep excavation, every precaution is taken to secure the sides from collapsing.
Electricity:
Always use a qualified and registered electrician to do the work on your project. Do remember, if they are not registered with the ESB, they can not give you the final cert which is required for your connection to the mains.
Roof:
Never let anyone near the roof in the bad weather. Always make sure that they inspect the roof to insure that it is safe to walk on. Make sure you have the right type of the scaffolding to support the roofers. Use proper roofing ladders for the job. Make sure that anyone around the building is aware that there is work being done on the roof and that they should make all safety precaution’s like wearing a safety hat.
Rubble around the house:
Always make sure that any dangerous material is moved safely away from your build. For example in case of timber, make sure that there are no nails standing out and if there are, make sure that they are hammered down. Move away anything that could cause someone to trip over and hurt themselves.
Other safety Tips:
Always wear a hard hat. Make sure there are proper signs on site informing of all the dangers. Always use goggles, ear protection and gloves where necessary Make sure all the deliveries to the site are done safely and under supervision. Never do the job you are not qualified or confident to do. Always have a contract with the professional trade insisting that they have their own protection insurance incase of an accident.
For further information visit:
www.niso.ie
&
Health and Safety Authority on www.hsa.ie
Radon , Fire Safety , Security , Sick Building Syndrome
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