Incidents like accidents, theft and vandalism often occur on closed and unattended construction sites, but this is the last thing you want to be dealing with during, or when returning from, a well-earned festive break.
Dan Goodfellow, Coates Group Manager for Product, shares these tips on keeping your work site safe, secure and incident-free this Christmas.
Construction sites are hazardous environments even when properly supervised. They’re even more dangerous when left unattended. Unauthorised access during the school holidays presents another safety risk, with construction sites offering many places for curious kids to explore, hide and climb.
“All too often safety incidents involve hazards like unprotected excavations, unattended scaffolding or unsecured work platforms, that result in serious injuries, even death,” says Dan. “In securing work sites for Christmas, it’s important to remember that you’re liable for whatever happens on site, even when you’re not there.”
To avoid preventable safety incidents:
Visit the Work Safe website for more information on securing your site this Christmas.
Theft and vandalism are common issues on Australian construction sites. An estimated $650 million of high-cost construction machinery and materials are stolen from work sites across the country each year. But the cost of theft to your business is not only replacing the stolen items, but the lost time spent waiting to start work too.
To prevent theft, secure or remove these frequently stolen items like these from your site:
If you’re concerned about vandalism or you have high value equipment that can’t be removed, consider installing a temporary video surveillance system, such as the Spectur STA6 solar security camera (available from selected Coates branches).
Many businesses choose to keep equipment on hire during shutdowns due to long-term rental agreements, or to ensure equipment will be available when work recommences.
To protect equipment kept on hire during a shutdown:
While standing equipment down on a reduced rate can reduce costs, it can also cause delays to starting back on site when equipment isn’t available.
If you plan to return your hire equipment:
“There’s nothing more frustrating than returning from holiday, only to spend the first few days madly trying to get your site back under control,” says Dan. “Planning ahead ensures your project starts back up smoothly, and your workforce stays safe.”
Follow these steps for a smooth transition back to site:
“At Coates, we take it upon ourselves to help your project run as smoothly and safely as possible,” says Dan. “We offer safe, smart and sustainable solutions to meet your needs, and have the experience to provide best practice advice and equipment solutions for any project.”
Connect with Coates for advice on securing your site this Christmas, and for all your equipment needs
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