BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Many accidents are caused or aggravated by untidy conditions on site. There is a duty for all of us to keep our workplace in good order. Good housekeeping is essential in running a safe site.

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HAZARDS

• Stumbling, tripping or slipping on material left oon floors, platforms or walkways.
• Falling objects from material left at height on scaffolding, platforms, girders, pipes.
• Striking against projecting materials such as rebar, girders, tie wires, bonding.
• Stepping on sharp objects such as nails, rebar ties.
• Fire risks due to flammable rubbish left lying around.
• Contact with hazardous substances that have not been kept in closed containers or disposed of properly.
• Fire or Emergency Escape Routes blocked by materials or equipment.

 

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HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS

• Never rely on others to clean up for you, it is your responsibility.
• Place trailing electric cables and hoses away from walkways and workshop floors.
• Clean up spills of oils and other materials liable to cause slips immediately.
• Put rubbish into bins and skps provided.
• Put your tools and equipment and PPE in the toolboxes and lockers provided.
• When working at height do not leave any material on scaffold, platforms or girder flanges.
• Joiners must denail timbers and steelfixers must bend over tie wires as soon as possible.
• Remove surplus bundle ties/banding and place in bins as soon as possible. Bend back protruding ties or bands if they can’t be removed.
• Ensure all surplus flammable material is removed from the workplace.
• When stacking meterial make sure that the stack is stable and not too hight.
• Do not block fire exits or Emergency Escape Routes with boxes, materials, timbers, etc.
• Always remomber that a tidy site is safer and happy to work on. Untidy sites have the most accidents.

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QUSTION TIME

• Why should you not leave loose materials on scaffolds, working platforms etc?
• What must be done with protruding nails, tie wires, bonding etc?
• Give two reasons why materials should not be left on walkways?

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SAFETY REMINDER

Housekeeping is everyone’s responsibility. Don’t leave hazards for others to sort out. A tidy site is seesntial for eliminating accidents.