All construction sites have challenges when it comes to health and safety, and those in urban environments are no different. They’re hazardous because of the nature of work that’s undertaken on it and the kind of equipment that’s used.
With a high probability of accidents to people and damage to machinery, it’s important to understand what the biggest health and safety concerns are and how you can mitigate risks where possible.
What are some of the risks?
Regardless of whether your site is based in an urban, city or rural location, all construction sites carry risks, and working on them should be taken extremely seriously. It’s imperative all of your tradespeople are following the correct health and safety protocols and procedures to mitigate as many risks as possible.
Some of the most common hazards are things such as machinery, poor methods of working and incorrect equipment – including protective equipment. You can avoid as many incidents as possible by completing risk assessments before work begins, avoiding any hazards and hazardous waste by means of proper disposal, investing in the correct PPE and having qualified first aid personnel and kits on site at all times.
Are there added risks in urban and city locations?
Urban construction sites often offer more challenging working conditions. Here are some of the tops ones to be aware of:
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- More challenging locations: it’s likely that you’ll be working at a higher altitude in the city as opposed to rural areas. This is because you’ll be working at heights, with many urban development’s going upwards instead of outwards. Because of this it’s likely you’ll also be working in much more confined spaces because of the surroundings, so it’s imperative that you have the appropriate safety equipment such as safety harnesses in place.
- Danger to and from the public: whether you’re working in a busy business district or near public transport, you’re likely to be working around the general public more in urban locations. You’ll need to ensure that correct boundaries are set up and in place before the work begins, and consider having a member of staff to monitor these.
- Site access: if you’re working from a heavily built up location, traffic is no doubt going to be an issue. Access the area before the work begins and ensure your trucks, lorries and any machinery have safe access onto and off site. If you’re working around busy traffic or pedestrian areas, there’s an additional risk of collisions and accidents, so take all the necessary precautions.
We know it can be challenging at the best of times to work on a construction site, especially with all the associated risks. But by being mindful and taking your health and safety seriously before you step onto your urban site, you can help to reduce the chances of accidents and incidents dramatically.
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