Information
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Document No.
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Audit Title
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Client / Site
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Conducted on
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Prepared by
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Location
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Personnel
Introduction
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Scope of work
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Intro
Management system
Site insurances and info
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Notification of construction work completed
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Letter of goodstanding current
Health & Safety Policy
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Health & Safety policy in place
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Policy signed by CEO
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Policy dated
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Policy makes mention of when it will be reviewed
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Recommendation
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7. Health and safety policy
(1)The chief inspector may direct -
(a)any employer in writing; and
(b)any category of employers by notice in the Gazette,
to prepare a written policy concerning the protection of the health and safety of his employees at work, including a description of his organization and the arrangements for carrying out and reviewing that policy.
(2)Any direction under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by guide-lines concerning the contents of the policy concerned.
(3)An employer shall prominently display a copy of the policy referred to in subsection (1), signed by the chief executive officer, in the workplace where his employees normally report for service.
(g)to ensure that every principal contractor is registered and in good standing with the compensation fund or with a licensed compensation insurer prior to work commencing on site -
Emergency contacts available on file
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Ambulance
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Police
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Fire department
Health & Safety plan
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Client specification on file
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(1)A client shall be responsible for the following in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act:
(a)to prepare a health and safety specifications for the construction work, and provide any principal contractor who is making a bid or appointed to perform construction work for the client with the same;
(b)to promptly provide the principal contractor and his or her agent with any information which might affect the health and safety of any person at work carrying out construction work;
(c)to appoint each principal contractor in writing for the project or part thereof on a construction site;
(d)to take reasonable steps to ensure that each principal contractor's health and safety plan as determined in regulation 5(1) is implemented and maintained on the construction site: Provided that the steps taken, shall include periodic audits at intervals mutually agreed upon between the client and principal contractor, but at least once every month;
(e)to stop any contractor from executing construction work, which is not in accordance with, the principal contractor's health and safety plan contemplated in regulation 5(1) for the site or which poses a threat to the health and safety of persons;
(f)to ensure that where changes are brought about to the design or construction, sufficient health and safety information and appropriate resources are made available to the principal contractor to execute the work safely;
(g)to ensure that every principal contractor is registered and in good standing with the compensation fund or with a licensed compensation insurer prior to work commencing on site; and
(h)to ensure that potential principal contractors submitting tenders, have made provision for the cost of health and safety measures during the construction process.
(2)A client shall discuss and negotiate with the principal contractor the contents of the health and safety plan contemplated in regulation 5(1) and thereafter finally approve the health and safety plan for implementation.
(3)A client shall ensure that a copy of the principal contractor's health and safety plan is available on request to an employee, inspector or contractor.
(4)No client shall appoint a principal contractor to perform construction work, unless the client is reasonably satisfied that the principal contractor which he or she intends to appoint has the necessary competencies and resources to carry out the work safely.
(5)A client may appoint an agent in writing to act as his or her representative and where such an appointment is made, the responsibilities as are imposed by these regulations upon a client, shall as far as reasonably practicable apply to the agent so appointed.
(6)No client shall appoint any person as an agent, unless the client is reasonably satisfied that the person he or she intends to appoint has the necessary competencies and resources to perform the duties imposed on a client by these regulations. -
Health & Safety plan available
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Plan been signed by 16.2 (Project Manager)
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Cover all aspects of scope of work
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Recommendation
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5. Principal Contractor and Contractor
(1)A principal contractor shall provide and demonstrate to the client a suitable and sufficiently documented health and safety plan, based on the client's documented health and safety specifications contemplated in regulation 4(1)(a), which shall be applied from the date of commencement of and for the duration of the construction work.
Legal appointments
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All legal appointments completed
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Competency certs available for all appointments
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Recommendation
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6. Supervision of construction work
(1)The contractor shall appoint a full-time competent employee in writing as the construction supervisor, with the duty of supervising the construction work.
(2)The contractor may in writing appoint one or more competent employees to assist the appointed construction supervisor contemplated in subregulation (1), and every such employee shall, to the extent clearly defined by the contractor in the letter of appointment have the same duties as the construction supervisor: Provided that the designation of any such employee shall not relieve the construction supervisor contemplated in subregulation (1) of any personal accountability for failing in his supervisory duties referred to in terms of this regulation.
Checklists & registers
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All applicable checklist & registers completed
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PPE register
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Recommendation
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Inspections and tests to be carried out on various equipment and tasks
Risk assessments
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Scope of work all been covered in risk assessment
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Baseline Risk assessment
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Issue base Risk assessment
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Continues Risk assessment
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Monitoring plan in place
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Review plan in place
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Recommendation
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7. Risk assessment
(1)Every contractor performing construction work shall before the commencement of any construction work and during construction work, cause a risk assessment to be performed by a competent person appointed in writing and the risk assessment shall form part of the health and safety plan to be applied on the site and shall include at least -
(a)the identification of the risks and hazards to which persons may be exposed to;
(b)the analysis and evaluation of the risks and hazards identified;
(c)a documented plan of safe work procedures to mitigate, reduce or control the risks and hazards that have been identified;
(d)a monitoring plan; and
(e)a review plan.
(2)A contractor shall ensure that a copy of the risk assessment is available on site for inspection by an inspector, client, client's agent, contractor, employee, representative trade union, health and safety representative or any member of the health and safety committee.
(3)Every contractor shall consult with the health and safety committee or, if no health and safety committee exists, with a representative group of employees, on the development, monitoring and review of the risk assessment.
(4)A contractor shall ensure that all employees under the his or her control are informed, instructed and trained by a competent person regarding any hazard and the related work procedures before any work commences, and thereafter at such times as may be determined in the risk assessment.
(5)A principal contractor shall ensure that all contractors are informed regarding any hazard as stipulated in the risk assessment before any work commences, and thereafter at such times as may be determined in the risk assessment.
(6)A contractor shall ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, ergonomic related hazards are analyzed, evaluated and addressed in the risk assessment.
(7)Notwithstanding the requirements laid down in subregulation (4), no contractor shall allow or permit any employee or person to enter any site, unless such employee or person has undergone health and safety induction training pertaining to the hazards prevalent on the site at the time of entry.
(8)A contractor shall ensure that all visitors to a construction site undergoes health and safety induction pertaining to the hazards prevalent on the site and shall be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment.
(9)Every employee on site shall -
a)be in possession of proof of the health and safety induction training as determined in subregulation (7), issued by a competent person prior to the commencement of construction work; and
(b)carry the proof contemplated in paragraph (a) for the duration of that project or for the period that the employee will be on the construction site.
Safe-work procedures
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Safe-work procedures in place for high risk work identified in risk assessment
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Fall protection plan on file
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8. Fall protection
(1)A contractor shall cause -
(a)the designation of a competent person, responsible for the preparation of a fall protection plan;
(b)the fall protection plan contemplated in (a) to be implemented, amended where and when necessary and maintained as required;
(c)steps to be taken in order to ensure the continued adherence to the fall protection plan.
(2)The fall protection plan contemplated in subregulation (1), shall include -
(a)a risk assessment of all work carried out from an elevated position which shall include the procedures and methods used to address all the risks identified per location;
(b)the processes for evaluation of the employees' physical and psychological fitness necessary to work at elevated positions and the records thereof;
(c)the programme for the training of employees working from elevated positions and records thereof; and
(d)the procedure addressing the inspection, testing and maintenance of all fall protection equipment.
(3)A contractor shall ensure that the construction supervisor appointed in terms of regulation 6(1), is in possession of the most recently updated version of the fall protection plan. -
Method statements in place
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Recommendation
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Safe-work procedures to be drawn up for all high risks identified in the Risk assessments
Incident, accident and Emergency management
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Incident report procedure
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Incident report form available
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Annexure 1 available
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Wcl 2 available
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Emergency plan on file
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Recommendation
Training and informing & medicals
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All inductions completed
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First aider
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Fire fighter
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Safety Rep
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Recommendation
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An occupational medical practitioner must do medical fitness certificates, which are valid for a period of 12 months
12. General duties of employers regarding listed work
(1)Subject to such arrangements as may be prescribed, every employer whose employees undertake listed work or are liable to be exposed to the hazards emanating from listed work, shall, after consultation with the health and safety committee established for that workplace -
(a)identify the hazards and evaluate the risks associated with such work constituting a hazard to the health of such employees and the steps that need to be taken to comply with the provisions of the Act;
(b)as far as is reasonably practicable, prevent the exposure of such employees to the hazards concerned or, where prevention is not reasonably practicable, minimize such exposure; and
(c)having regard to the nature of the risks associated with such work and the level of exposure of such employees to the hazards, carry out an occupational hygiene programme and biological monitoring, and subject such employees to medical surveillance.
(2)Every employer contemplated in subsection (1) shall keep health and safety representatives designated for their workplaces or sections of the workplaces, informed of the actions taken under subsection (1) in their respective workplaces or sections thereof and of the results of such actions: Provided that individual results of biological monitoring and medical surveillance relating to the work of the employee, shall only with the written consent of such employee be made available to any person other than an inspector, the employer or the employee concerned.
(e)providing such information, instructions, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees;
Sub-contractor control
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List of sub-contractors available
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37.2 agreements signed
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Recommendation
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(2)A principal contractor shall take reasonable steps as are necessary to ensure co-operation between all contractors to enable each of those contractors to comply with the provisions of these regulations.
(3)A principal contractor shall be responsible for the following in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act -
(a)to provide any contractor who is making a bid or appointed to perform construction work for the principal contractor, with the relevant sections of the health and safety specifications contemplated in regulation 4(1)(a) pertaining to the construction work which has to be performed;
(b)to appoint each contractor contemplated in paragraph (a) in writing for the part of the project on a construction site;
(c)to take reasonable steps to ensure that each contractor's health and safety plan contemplated in subregulation (4) is implemented and maintained on the construction site: Provided that the steps taken shall include periodic audits at intervals mutually agreed upon between the principal contractor and contractor(s), but at least once every month;
(d)to stop any contractor from executing construction work, which is not in accordance with, the principal contractor's and/or contractor's health and safety plan for the site or which poses a threat to the health and safety of persons;
(e)to ensure that where changes are brought about to the design and construction, sufficient health and safety information and appropriate resources are made available to the contractor to execute the work safely;
(f)to ensure that every contractor is registered and in good standing with the compensation fund or with a licensed compensation insurer prior to work commencing on site; and
(g)to ensure that potential contractors submitting tenders have made provision for the cost of health and safety measures during the construction process.
(4)A contractor shall provide and demonstrate to the principal contractor a suitable and sufficiently documented health and safety plan, based on the relevant sections of the principal contactor's health and safety specification contemplated in regulation 5(3)(a) provided by the principal contractor, which plan shall be applied from the date of commencement of and for the duration of the construction work.
[Ed's note: The word 'contactor's' in Regulation (4) as printed in Government Gazette 25207 should, in the Editor's opinion, read 'contractor's']
(5)A principal contractor shall discuss and negotiate with the contractor the contents of the health and safety plan contemplated in subregulation (4), and shall finally approve that plan for implementation.
(6)A principal contractor shall ensure that a copy of his or her health and safety plan contemplated in subregulation (1), as well as the contractor's health and safety plan contemplated in subregulation (4), is available on request to an employee, inspector, contractor, client or client's agent.
(7)Every contractor shall ensure that a health and safety file, which shall include all documentation required in terms of the provisions of the Act and these Regulations, is opened and kept on site and made available to an inspector, client, clients agent or principal contractor upon request.
(8)A principal contractor shall hand over a consolidated health and safety file to the client upon completion of the construction work and shall, in addition to the documentation referred to in subregulation (7), include a record of all drawings, designs, materials used and other similar information concerning the completed structure.
(9)A principal contractor shall ensure that in addition to the documentation required in the health and safety file as determined in subregulations (7) and (8), a comprehensive and updated list of all the contractors on site accountable to the principal contractor, the agreements between the parties and the type of work being done are included and available.
(10)No principal contractor shall appoint a contractor to perform construction work unless the principal contractor is reasonably satisfied that the contractor he or she intends to appoint, has the necessary competencies and resources to perform the construction work safely.
(11)Where a contractor appoints another contractor to perform construction work, the responsibilities as determined in subregulations (2) to (6) that apply to the principal contractor shall apply to the contractor as if he or she were the principal contractor.
(12)No contractor shall appoint another contractor to perform construction work unless he or she is reasonably satisfied that the contractor he or she intends to appoint, has the necessary competencies and resources to perform the construction work safely.
(13)Contractors shall co-operate with the principal contractor as far as is necessary to enable each of them to comply with the provisions of the Act.
(14)Every contractor shall as far as is reasonably practicable, promptly provide the principal contractor with any information which might affect the health and safety of any person at work carrying out construction work or any person who might be affected by the work of such a person at work or which might justify a review of the health and safety plan.
Communication
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Toolbox talks completed
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Monthly safety topic
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Internal audits completed
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Recommendation
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Toolbox talks
Schedule D posted on notice board
Safety memos to staff
Poster programme
Other:
Law
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OHS act available
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Construction regulations available
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Recommendation
Site conditions
Offices & amenities
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Adequate offices
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Adequate ablutions
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Ratio 1:30 for male and female respectfully
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Regularly serviced
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Sanitation available
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Sheltered eating area
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Tables
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Chairs
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Drinking water available
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Suitable accommodation away from site
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Recommendation
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28. Construction welfare facilities
(1)Notwithstanding the construction site provisions contained in the Facilities Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.1593 of 12 August 1988, as amended, a contractor shall, depending on the number of workers and the duration of the work, provide at or within reasonable access of every construction site, the following clean and maintained facilities:
(a)at least one shower facility for every 15 workers;
(b)at least one sanitary facility for every 30 workers;
(c)changing facilities for each sex; and
(d)sheltered eating areas.
(2)A contractor shall provide reasonable and suitable living accommodation for the workers at construction sites which are remote from their homes and where adequate transportation between the site and their homes, or other suitable living accommodation, is not available.
Personal protective equipment
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Add media
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Hardhats
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Overalls
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Reflector vests
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Iron tip leather boots
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Additional PPE been used (Task specific)
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Recommendation
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8. General duties of employers to their employees
(1)Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees.
Full PPE provided
Hardhats
Overalls
Safety boots
Reflector vests
Eye protection
Ear plugs
Gloves
Task specific PPE supplied as additional PPE
23. Certain deductions prohibited
No employer shall in respect of anything which he is in terms of this Act required to provide or to do in the interest of the health or safety of an employee, make any deduction from any employee's remuneration or require or permit any employee to make any payment to him or any other person.
Public safety
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Add media
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Site securely fenced off
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Construction signage board
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Dust control
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Site visitors book available
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Recommendation
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Site properly barricaded separating public and construction place
Symbolic Signage warning public of hazards
Noise limits controlled
Dust controlled
No other nuisance
Construction vehicles & mobile plant
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Vehicles and mobile plant
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Operator license available
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Vehicles licensed
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Checklist completed
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Issue base Risk assessment in place & communicated
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Recommendation
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21. Construction vehicles and mobile plant
(1)A contractor shall ensure that all construction vehicles and mobile plants -
(a)are of an acceptable design and construction;
(b)are maintained in a good working order;
(c)are used in accordance with their design and the intention for which they where designed, having due regard to safety and health;
(d)are operated by workers who -
(i)have received appropriate training and been certified competent and been authorised to operate such machinery; and
(ii)are physically and psychologically fit to operate such construction vehicles and mobile plant by being in possession of a medical certificate of fitness;
(e)have safe and suitable means of access;
(f)are properly organised and controlled in any work situation by providing adequate signaling or other control arrangements to guard against the dangers relating to the movement of vehicles and plant, in order to ensure their continued safe operation;
(g)are prevented from falling into excavations, water or any other area lower than the working surface by installing adequate edge protection, which may include guardrails and crash barriers;
(h)where appropriate, are fitted with structures designed to protect the operator from falling material or from being crushed should the vehicle or mobile plant overturn;
(i)are equipped with an electrically operated acoustic signaling device and a reversing alarm; and
(j)are on a daily basis inspected prior to use, by a competent person who has been appointed in writing and the findings of such inspection is recorded in a register.
(2)A contractor shall furthermore ensure that
(a)no person rides or be required or permitted to ride on any construction vehicle or mobile plant otherwise than in a safe place provided thereon for that purpose;
(b)every construction site is organised in such a way that, as far as is reasonably practicable, pedestrians and vehicles can move safely and without risks to health;
(c)the traffic routes are suitable for the persons using them, sufficient in number, in suitable positions and of sufficient size;
(d)every traffic route is, where necessary indicated by suitable signs for reasons of health or safety;
(e)all construction vehicles and mobile plant left unattended at night, adjacent to a freeway in normal use or adjacent to construction areas where work is in progress, shall have appropriate lights or reflectors, or barricades equipped with appropriate lights or reflectors, in order to identify the location of the vehicles or plant;
(f)bulldozers, scrapers, loaders, and other similar mobile plant are, when being repaired or when not in use, fully lowered or blocked with controls in a neutral position, motors stopped and brakes set;
(g)whenever visibility conditions warrant additional lighting, all mobile plant are equipped with at least two headlights and two taillights when in operation;
(h)tools and material are secured in order to prevent movement when transported in the same compartment with employees;
(i)vehicles used to transport employees have seats firmly secured and adequate for the number of employees to be carried; and
(j)when workers are working on or adjacent to public roads, reflective indicators are provided and worn by the workers.
22. Electrical installations and machinery on construction sites
Batch plant & tools
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Batch plant & tools
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Issue base Risk assessment in place & communicated
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Recommendation
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18. Batch plants
(1)A contractor shall ensure that all batch plants are operated and supervised by a competent person who has been appointed in writing.
(2)A contractor shall ensure that the placement and erection of a batch plant complies with the requirements set out by the manufacturer and that such plant is erected as designed.
(3)A contractor shall ensure that all devices to start and stop a batch plant are provided and that these devices are -
(a)placed in an easily accessible position; and
(b)constructed in such a manner as to prevent accidental starting.
(4)The contractor shall ensure that the machinery and plant selected is suitable for the task and that all dangerous moving parts of a mixer are placed beyond the reach of persons by means of doors, covers or other similar means.
(5)No person shall be permitted to remove or modify any guard or safety equipment relating to a batch plant, unless authorized to do so by the appointed person as contemplated in subregulation (1).
(6)A contractor shall ensure that all persons authorized to operate the batch plant are fully-
(a)aware of all the dangers involved in the operation thereof; and
(b)conversant with the precautionary measures to be taken in the interest of health and safety.
(7)No person supervising or operating a batch plant shall authorize any other person to operate the plant, unless such person is competent to operate such machinery.
(8)A contractor shall ensure that all precautionary measures as stipulated for confined spaces in the General Safety Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.1031 dated 30 May 1986, as amended, are adhered to when entering any silo.
(9)A contractor shall ensure that a record is kept of any repairs or maintenance to a batch plant and that it is made available, on site, to an inspector, client, client's agent or employee upon request.
(10)A contractor shall ensure that all lifting machines and lifting tackle used in the operation of a batch plant complies with the requirements of the Driven Machinery Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.295 dated 26 February 1988, as amended.
(11)A contractor shall ensure that all precautionary measures are adhered to regarding the usage of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres, when entering a silo, as contemplated in the Electrical Installation Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.2271 dated 11 October 1995, as amended.
Excavations
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Excavations compliant
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Issue base risk assessment in place & communicated
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Recommendation
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11. Excavation work
(1)A contractor shall ensure that all excavation work is carried out under the supervision of a competent person who has been appointed in writing.
(2)A contractor shall evaluate, as far as is reasonably practicable, the stability of the ground before excavation work begins.
(3)Every contractor who performs excavation work shall -
(a)take suitable and sufficient steps in order to prevent, as far as is reasonably practicable, any person from being buried or trapped by a fall or dislodgement of material in an excavation;
(b)not require or permit any person to work in an excavation which has not been adequately shored or braced: Provided that shoring and bracing may not be necessary where -
(i)the sides of the excavation are sloped to at least the maximum angle of repose measured relative to the horizontal plane; or
(ii)such an excavation is in stable material: Provided that -
(a)permission being given in writing by the appointed competent person contemplated in subregulation (1) upon evaluation by him or her of the site conditions; and
(b)where any uncertainty pertaining to the stability of the soil still exists, the decision from a professional engineer or a professional technologist competent in excavations shall be decisive and such a decision shall be noted in writing and signed by both the competent person contemplated in subregulation (1) and the professional engineer or technologist, as the case may be;
(c)take steps to ensure that the shoring or bracing contemplated in paragraph (b) is designed and constructed in such a manner rendering it strong enough to support the sides of the excavation in question;
(d)ensure that no load, material, plant or equipment is placed or moved near the edge of any excavation where it is likely to cause its collapse and thereby endangering the safety of, any person, unless precautions such as the provision of sufficient and suitable shoring or bracing are taken to prevent the sides from collapsing;
(e)ensure that where the stability of an adjoining building, structure or road is likely to be affected by the making of an excavation, the steps are taken that may be necessary to ensure the stability of such building, structure or road and the safety of persons;
(f)cause convenient and safe means of access to be provided to every excavation in which persons are required to work and such access shall not be further than 6m from the point where any worker within the excavation is working;
(g)ascertain as far as is reasonably practicable the location and nature of electricity, water, gas or other similar services which may in any way be affected by the work to be performed, and shall before the commencement of excavation work that may affect any such service, take the steps that may be necessary to render the circumstances safe for all persons involved;
(h)cause every excavation, including all bracing and shoring, to be inspected -
(i)daily, prior to each shift;
(ii)after every blasting operation;
(iii)after an unexpected fall of ground;
(iv)after substantial damage to supports; and
(v)after rain,
by the competent person contemplated in subregulation (1), in order to pronounce the safety of the excavation to ensure the safety of persons, and those results are to be recorded in a register kept on site and made available to an inspector, client, client's agent, contractor or employee upon request;
(i)cause every excavation which is accessible to the public or which is adjacent to public roads or thoroughfares, or whereby the safety of persons may be endangered, to be -
(i)adequately protected by a barrier or fence of at least one metre in height and as close to the excavation as is practicable; and
(ii)provided with warning illuminants or any other clearly visible boundary indicators at night or when visibility is poor;
(j)ensure that all precautionary measures as stipulated for confined spaces as determined in the General Safety Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.1031 of 30 May 1986, as amended, are complied with when entering any excavation;
(k)ensure that, where the excavation work involves the use of explosives, a method statement is developed in accordance with the applicable explosives legislation, by an appointed person who is competent in the use of explosives for excavation work and that the procedures therein are followed; and
(l)cause warning signs to be positioned next to an excavation within which persons are working or carrying out inspections or tests.
Formwork
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Formwork compliant
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Issue base risk assessment in place & communicated
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Recommendation
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10. Formwork and support work
A contractor shall ensure that -
(a)all formwork and support work operations are carried out under the supervision of a competent person who has been appointed in writing for that purpose;
(b)all formwork and support work structures are adequately designed, erected, supported, braced and maintained so that they will be capable of supporting all anticipated vertical and lateral loads that may be applied to them and also that no loads are imposed onto the structure that the structure is not designed to withstand;
(c)the designs of formwork and support work structures are done with close reference to the structural design drawings and where any uncertainty exists, the structural designer should be consulted;
(d)all drawings pertaining to the design of formwork or support work structures are kept on the site and are available on request by an inspector, contractor, client, client's agent or employee;
(e)all equipment used in the formwork or support work structure are carefully examined and checked for suitability by a competent person, before being used;
(f)all formwork and support work structures are inspected by a competent person immediately before, during and after the placement of concrete or any other imposed load and thereafter on a daily basis until the formwork and support work structure has been removed and the results have been recorded in a register and made available on site;
(g)if, after erection, any formwork and support work structure is found to be damaged or weakened to such a degree that its integrity is affected, it shall be safely removed or reinforced immediately;
(h)adequate precautionary measures are taken in order to -
(i)secure any deck panels against displacement; and
(ii)prevent any person from slipping on support work or formwork due to the application of formwork or support work release agents;
(i)as far as is reasonably practicable, the health of any person is not affected through the use of solvents or oils or any other similar substances;
(j)upon casting concrete, the support work or formwork structure should be left in place until the concrete has acquired sufficient strength to support safely, not only its own weight, but also any imposed loads and not removed until authorisation has been given by the competent person contemplated in paragraph (a);
(k)provision is made for safe access by means of secured ladders or staircases for all work to be carried out above the foundation bearing level;
(l)all employees required to erect, move or dismantle formwork and support work structures are provided with adequate training and instruction to perform these operations safely; and
(m)the foundation conditions are suitable to withstand the weight caused by the formwork and support work structure and any imposed loads such that the formwork and support work structure is stable.
Scaffolding
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Scaffolding compliant
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Issue-base risk assessment in place and communicated
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Recommendation
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14. Scaffolding
(1)Every contractor using access scaffolding, shall ensure that such scaffolding, when used, complies with the safety standards incorporated for this purpose into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act.
(2)A contractor shall ensure that all scaffolding work operations are carried out under the supervision of a competent person who has been appointed in writing and that all scaffold erectors, team leaders and inspectors are competent to carry out their work.
The following must be in place,
1. Handrails & guardrails
2. No gaps between floor boards
3. Toe-boards must be in place
4. Bracing needed
5. Ladders
6. Scaffold tag with appointed scaffold inspector signature
7. Sole plates
Work at heights
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Work at height safe
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Issue-base risk assessment in place & communicated
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Recommendation
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8. Fall protection
(1)A contractor shall cause -
(a)the designation of a competent person, responsible for the preparation of a fall protection plan;
(b)the fall protection plan contemplated in (a) to be implemented, amended where and when necessary and maintained as required;
(c)steps to be taken in order to ensure the continued adherence to the fall protection plan.
(2)The fall protection plan contemplated in subregulation (1), shall include -
(a)a risk assessment of all work carried out from an elevated position which shall include the procedures and methods used to address all the risks identified per location;
(b)the processes for evaluation of the employees' physical and psychological fitness necessary to work at elevated positions and the records thereof;
(c)the programme for the training of employees working from elevated positions and records thereof; and
(d)the procedure addressing the inspection, testing and maintenance of all fall protection equipment.
(3)A contractor shall ensure that the construction supervisor appointed in terms of regulation 6(1), is in possession of the most recently updated version of the fall protection plan.
(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (1) and (2), the contractor shall ensure that -
(a)all unprotected openings in floors, edges, slabs, hatchways and stairways are adequately guarded, fenced or barricaded or that similar means are used to safeguard any person from falling through such openings;
(b)no person works in an elevated position, unless such work is performed safely as if working from a scaffold or ladder;
(c)notices are conspicuously placed at all openings where the possibility exists that a person might fall through such openings;
(d)fall prevention and fall arrest equipment is -
(i)suitable and of sufficient strength for the purpose or purposes for which it is being used having regard to the work being carried out and the load, including any person, it is intended to bear; and
(ii)securely attached to a structure or plant and the structure or plant and the means of attachment thereto is suitable and of sufficient strength and stability for the purpose of safely supporting the equipment and any person who is liable to fall;
(e)fall arrest equipment shall only be used where it is not reasonably practicable to use fall prevention equipment; and
(f)suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that in the event of a fall by any person, the fall arrest equipment or the surrounding environment does not cause injury to the person.
(5)Where roof work is being performed on a construction site, the contractor shall ensure that in addition to the requirements set out in subregulations (2) and (4), it is furthermore indicated in the fall protection plan -
(a)that the roof work has been properly planned;
(b)that the roof erectors are competent to carry out the work;
(c)that no employees are permitted to work on roofs during inclement weather conditions or if weather conditions are a hazard to the health and safety of the employees;
(d)that prominent warning notices are to be placed where all covers to openings are not of sufficient strength to withstand any imposed loads and where fragile material exists;
(e)that the areas mentioned in paragraph (d) are to be barricaded off to prevent persons from entering;
(f)that suitable and sufficient platforms, coverings or other similar means of support have been provided to be used in such a way that the weight of any person passing across or working on or from fragile material is supported; and
(g)that there is suitable and sufficient guard-rails or barriers and toe-boards or other similar means of protection to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the fall of any person, material or equipment.
Demolition
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Demolition
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Issue-base risk assessment in place & communicated
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Recommendation
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12. Demolition work
(1)A contractor shall appoint a competent person in writing to supervise and control all demolition work on site.
(2)A contractor shall ensure that prior to any demolition work being carried out, and in order also to ascertain the method of demolition to be used, a detailed structural engineering survey of the structure to be demolished is carried out by a competent person and that a method statement on the procedure to be followed in demolishing the structure is developed.
(3)During the demolition, a competent person shall check the structural integrity of the structure at intervals determined in the method statement contemplated in subregulation (2), in order to avoid any premature collapses.
(4)Every contractor who performs demolition work shall -
(a)with regard to a structure being demolished, take steps to ensure that -
(i)no floor, roof or other part of the structure is overloaded with debris or material in a manner which would render it unsafe;
(ii)all reasonably practicable precautions are taken to avoid the danger of the structure collapsing when any part of the framing of a framed or partly framed building is removed, or when reinforced concrete is cut; and
(iii)precautions are taken in the form of adequate shoring or such other means as may be necessary to prevent the accidental collapse of any part of the structure or adjoining structure;
(b)not require or permit any person to work under overhanging material or structure, which has not been adequately supported, shored or braced;
(c)take steps to ensure that any support, shoring or bracing contemplated in paragraph (b), is designed and constructed so that it is strong enough to support the overhanging material;
(d)where the stability of an adjoining building, structure or road is likely to be affected by demolition work on a structure, take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the stability of such structure or road and the safety of persons;
(e)ascertain as far as is reasonably practicable the location and nature of electricity, water, gas or other similar services which may in anyway, be affected by the work to be performed, and shall before the commencement of demolition work that may affect any such service, take the steps that may be necessary to render circumstances safe for all persons involved;
(f)cause every stairwell used and every floor where work is being performed in a building being demolished, to be adequately illuminated by either natural or artificial means;
(g)cause convenient and safe means of access to be provided to every part of the demolition site in which persons are required to work; and
(h)erect a catch platform or net above an entrance or passageway or above a place where persons work or pass under, or fence off the danger area if work is being performed above such entrance, passageway, or place so as to ensure that all persons are kept safe where there is a danger or possibility of persons being struck by falling objects
(5)A contractor shall ensure that no material is dropped to any point, which falls outside the exterior walls of the structure, unless the area is effectively protected.
(6)Waste and debris shall not be disposed from a high place by a chute unless the chute -
(a)is adequately constructed and rigidly fastened;
(b)if inclined at an angle of more than 45 degrees to the horizontal, is enclosed on its four sides;
(c)if of the open type, is inclined at an angle of less than 45 degrees to the horizontal;
(d)where necessary, is fitted with a gate at the bottom end to control the flow of material; and
(e)is discharged into a container or an enclosed area surrounded by barriers.
(7)A contractor shall ensure that every chute used to dispose of rubble is designed in such a manner that rubble does not free-fall and that the chute is strong enough to withstand the force of the debris traveling along the chute.
(8)A contractor shall ensure that equipment is not used on floors or working surfaces, unless such floors or surfaces are of sufficient strength to support the imposed loads.
(9)Where the risk assessment indicates the presence of asbestos, a contractor shall ensure that all asbestos related work is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Asbestos Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.155 of 10 February 2002, as amended.
(10)Where the risk assessment indicates the presence of lead, a contractor shall ensure that all lead related work is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the, Lead Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.236 of 28 February 2002, as amended.
(11)Where the demolition work involves the use of explosives, a method statement is to be developed in accordance with the applicable explosives legislation, by an appointed person who is competent in the use of explosives for demolition work and the procedures therein are adhered to.
(12)A contractor shall ensure that all waste and debris is as soon as reasonably practicable removed and disposed of from the site in accordance with the applicable legislation.
Hotworks
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Hot-works
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Recommendation
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(f)welding, flame cutting and other hot work are done only after the appropriate precautions as required have been taken to reduce the risk of fire;
(g)suitable and sufficient fire-extinguishing equipment is placed at strategic locations or as may be recommended by the Fire Chief or local authority concerned, and that such equipment is maintained in a good working order;
Additional PPE needed
Storage of flammable liquids
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Flammable liquids stored correctly
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Recommendation
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23. Use and temporary storage of flammable liquids on construction sites
Notwithstanding the provisions for the use and storage of flammable liquids as determined in the General Safety Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.1031 dated 30 May 1986, as amended, a contractor shall ensure that -
(a)where flammable liquids are being used, applied or stored at the workplace concerned, this is done in such a manner which would cause no fire or explosion hazard, and that the workplace is effectively ventilated: Provided that where the workplace cannot effectively be ventilated -
(i)every employee involved is provided with a respirator, mask or breathing apparatus of a type approved by the chief inspector, and
(ii)steps are taken to ensure that every such employee, while using or applying flammable liquid, uses the apparatus supplied to him or her;
(b)no person smokes in any place in which flammable liquid is used or stored, and such contractor shall affix a suitable and conspicuous notice at all entrances to any such areas prohibiting such smoking;
(c)flammable liquids on a construction site is stored in a well-ventilated reasonably fire resistant container, cage or room and kept locked with proper access control measures in place;
(d)an adequate amount of efficient fire-fighting equipment is installed in suitable locations around the flammable liquids store with the recognized symbolic signs;
(e)only the quantity of flammable liquid needed for work on one day is to be taken out of the store for use;
(f)all containers holding flammable liquids are kept tightly closed when not in actual use and, after their contents have been used up, to be removed from the construction site and safely disposed of;
(g)where flammable liquids are decanted, the metal containers are bonded or earthed; and
(h)no flammable material such as cotton waste, paper, cleaning rags or similar material is stored together with flammable liquids.
Fire extinguishers/ first aid box
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Adequate extinguishers and first aid boxes on site
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Recommendation
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23. Use and temporary storage of flammable liquids on construction sites
Notwithstanding the provisions for the use and storage of flammable liquids as determined in the General Safety Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.1031 dated 30 May 1986, as amended, a contractor shall ensure that -
(a)where flammable liquids are being used, applied or stored at the workplace concerned, this is done in such a manner which would cause no fire or explosion hazard, and that the workplace is effectively ventilated: Provided that where the workplace cannot effectively be ventilated -
(i)every employee involved is provided with a respirator, mask or breathing apparatus of a type approved by the chief inspector, and
(ii)steps are taken to ensure that every such employee, while using or applying flammable liquid, uses the apparatus supplied to him or her;
(b)no person smokes in any place in which flammable liquid is used or stored, and such contractor shall affix a suitable and conspicuous notice at all entrances to any such areas prohibiting such smoking;
(c)flammable liquids on a construction site is stored in a well-ventilated reasonably fire resistant container, cage or room and kept locked with proper access control measures in place;
(d)an adequate amount of efficient fire-fighting equipment is installed in suitable locations around the flammable liquids store with the recognized symbolic signs;
(e)only the quantity of flammable liquid needed for work on one day is to be taken out of the store for use;
(f)all containers holding flammable liquids are kept tightly closed when not in actual use and, after their contents have been used up, to be removed from the construction site and safely disposed of;
(g)where flammable liquids are decanted, the metal containers are bonded or earthed; and
(h)no flammable material such as cotton waste, paper, cleaning rags or similar material is stored together with flammable liquids.
House-keeping/ stacking & storage
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House-keeping maintained
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Recommendation
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25. Housekeeping on construction sites
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces promulgated by Government Notice No. R.2281 dated 16 October 1987, as amended, a contractor shall ensure that -
(a)suitable housekeeping is continuously implemented on each construction site, including provisions for the -
(i)proper storage of materials and equipment, and
(ii)removal of scrap, waste and debris at appropriate intervals;
(b)loose materials required for use, are not placed or allowed to accumulate on the site so as to obstruct means of access to and egress from workplaces and passageways;
(c)waste and debris are not disposed of from a high place with a chute, unless the chute complies with the requirements set out regulation 12(6);
(d)construction sites in built-up areas, adjacent to a public way, are suitably and sufficiently fenced off and provided with controlled access points to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons.
(e)a catch platform or net is erected above an entrance or passageway or above a place where persons work or pass under, or fence off the danger area if work is being performed above such entrance, passageway, or place so as to ensure that all persons are kept safe in the case of danger or possibility of persons being struck by falling objects.
26. Stacking and storage on construction sites
Notwithstanding the provisions for the stacking of articles contained in the General Safety Regulations promulgated by Government Notice No. R.1031 dated 30 May 1986, as amended, a contractor shall ensure that -
(a)a competent person is appointed in writing with the duty of supervising all stacking and storage on a construction site;
(b)adequate storage areas are provided;
(c)there are demarcated storage areas; and
(d)storage areas are kept neat and under control.
Other findings
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Other findings
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Recommendations
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Employee comments
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Conclusion
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Auditor
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Site Safety Rep
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Site supervisor