What Signage Do Melbourne Demolition and Construction Sites Require
Demolition sites must have display signage stating ‘WARNING DEMOLITION IN PROGRESS’ or similar. Construction sites must display information detailing the principal contractors name, telephone number and out of hours telephone number. This is often augmented by information regarding access policies, permit and owner information, location of local A&E facilities etc. Added to this mix may well be commercial advertising announcing the proposed intention of the development. Owners often wish to sell off plan or make the market aware that they intend to sell or lease commercial spaces.
Why does it matter if signage is covering the external hoardings?
The purpose of the signage is lost if all we see are surfaces covered in bright signs that are so numerous that no one takes any notice. Signs are placed to be informative or to warn people of danger. If they are unread their benefit is lost. Some managers believe that the purpose of signs is to protect the builder from claims for injuries as they believe that having a sign exonerates them from responsibility. Nothing is further from the truth!
Signs must be place so that they are noticed not just placed in a jumble to cover every eventuality. The information they give must be clear to all as not every person can read English. This includes children who are old enough to enter your site but not able to read!
Descriptive symbols should be added so that the message is understood.
Signs are however only part of the solution. The aim is in part to inform and warn, but it is only one of the tools in the box. The overall aim is to keep people safe by keeping them away from danger.
It may seem obvious but fences, gates and lighting play a huge part in the effort to maintain a secure site.
Fences must be securely fixed to act as a barrier and not be easily opened or breached. A danger not often considered is that if they are undermined by say close excavation, they may collapse either inwardly towards the works or out in the direction of the public. Fatalities have occurred because of unstable fences and regular inspections should verify that all fences are solid.
Gates are necessary for people, vehicles and deliveries to enter and exit the site. If you have more than a single gate, levels of security and vigilance are increased. As gates must be secure and safe, they are easier to control if people only enter through a single point. Each gate should be numbered with a sign fixed adjacent which simply states what visitors must do.
Example:
GATE 1
Visitors must enter via Gate 2 at rear of the property. (or ‘in River Street’ etc.)
GATE 2
All visitors must report to site office
If you have a double gate this should be locked at all times that it is not being used by vehicles actually entering or leaving. It should only be opened from the inside and not from both sides. A smaller door size gate should be used for people to enter or exit and this can be protected in low tech ways. A combination door lock will only allow site staff and operatives to enter unannounced and a powerful overhead door closer should automatically close the door and stop unauthorised entry. A simple doorbell can be used to alert those inside if a visitor wants to gain access.
Lighting plays a part during site operational hours and outside of operational hours.
We must increase visibility for the public of our operations not decrease them. This is so they can sensibly avoid becoming entangled. The public are fascinated by construction projects and so why not let them safely observe?
If you offer a view of the works as they proceed through grilles in the hoardings people will look through. They will look through during the working day and after hours and perhaps people viewing will discourage vandalism or theft?
Cameras are everyday as they are now cheap to purchase and plug and play to install. They can be placed on hoardings and can act as a deterrent if they are obvious and well signed to tell the world that they are under observation.
We need all the help we can get to keep the site safe and reduce the opportunity for unauthorised activities and a little thought and planning can make a huge difference.
At Fitzpatrick’s we demand a high level of safety and signage, although we know this is not the single answer. It is about understanding the overall need for safety for all authorised site visitors and workers as well as the inquisitive or passing by general public.
If you want a builder who gives safety the priority it deserves, give Fitzpatrick Team a call.
