Job Book 9th Edition - Book - Page 136
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Stage 1 > Strategic Definition: Figures
Figure 1/2
Visits to sites and unoccupied buildings
Health and Safety
Health and Safety legislation lays clear obligations on clients, designers, and principal contractors.
The following code is complementary advice to all architects engaged in visits to buildings and sites.
Visits to building sites, unoccupied buildings and construction operations can be
potentially dangerous. Consider the likely hazards. Follow the safety code.
1 Occupied
building sites
The Contractor or occupier has a responsibility
for the safety of persons lawfully on site. Do not
enter sites or buildings without permission, and
immediately report to the person in charge.
Comply with all requests from the contractor, his
representative or other supervisory staff. See the
contractor when you arrive, and when you leave
the site.
Wear suitable clothing, in particular protective
headgear (a hard hat) and stout shoes or boots.
Do not wear thin-soled or slippery shoes. Avoid
loose clothes which might catch on an obstruction.
Check that ladders are securely fixed and that
planks are secure. Beware of overhead projections,
scaffolding and plant, and proceed with caution.
Particular care is necessary in windy, cold, wet or
muddy conditions. Keep clear of excavations and
Figure a-B2
2 Unoccupied
buildings
and sites
As a general rule do not visit an empty building or
unoccupied site on your own. Make sure someone
knows where you are, and at what time you expect
to return.
Do not take chances. Do not visit an empty building
if you think it unsafe. Do not visit an unoccupied
site if you think it dangerous. Anticipate hazards.
Common dangers include:
– the possibility of partial or total structural collapse
– rotten or insecure floors and stairs
– hidden pits, ducts, openings etc, fragile construction,
eg asbestos or plastic sheets on roofs
– space which has not been used or ventilated for
some time
– live services
– contamination by chemicals or asbestos
– intruders who may still be around
– contamination by vermin or birds, or poisonous
substances put down to control them.
Plan the visit and make sure that you take with you
appropriate equipment and protective clothing.
Apart from stout shoes and a hard hat, remember
that unoccupied buildings can be dirty, damp, cold
and dark; so go prepared.
Look for defects in the floors ahead, eg wet areas,
holes, materials that might be covering up holes.
Familiarise yourself beforehand with the plan of
beware of openings in floors etc. Do not lean on
guard rails, scaffoldings etc. Do not interfere with
any temporary barriers, guard rails or lights. Beware
of ladders on which the rungs may have rusted
or rotted, and never climb a ladder which is not
securely fixed at the top.
Do not touch any plant or equipment. Keep clear
of machinery and stacked materials. Watch out
for temporary cables, pumps, hoses and electric
fittings.
Do not walk and look around at the same time.
Keep one hand free at all times when moving. Make
sure that you are in a safe and balanced position
whenever making notes or taking photographs.
Report to the contractor anything that comes to
your notice on the site as being unsafe.
the building, particularly the exit routes. Make sure
that security devices on exits will allow you to reach
safety quickly.
Walk over the structural members (eg joists, beams,
etc) whenever possible - do not rely on floorboards
alone.
Do not walk and look around at the same time.
Keep one hand free at all times when moving. Do
not walk and try to take notes at the same time.
Make sure that you are in a safe and balanced
position when taking photographs or stretching
out to take measurements.
Check on protection when approaching stairwells,
lift shafts, roof perimeters, etc.
Do not assume that services (eg cables, sockets,
pipes, etc) are safe or have been isolated.
If you suspect the presence of gas, inflammable
liquids, dangerous chemicals or free asbestos fibre
leave the building immediately.
If you sustain cuts, penetration by nails or other
serious injury, seek immediate medical advice.
Always heed these three golden rules:
– do not rush
– if uncertain do not proceed – seek advice or
assistance
– do not smoke or use naked flame.
