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Safety

More often than not people's safety during the construction and end-use phases of a building project are seen as separate issues. However, decisions made during the development and design stages of a project can have an impact on the downstream safety of contractors and end-users. Safety should be made a priority from the very beginning of any building project and by bringing together architects, designers, contractors and end-users, devastating and costly accidents and delays can be minimised.

Issues

Some of the safety issues associated with a building project are:

  • in New Zealand, construction workers are three times more likely to be killed and twice as likely to be seriously injured than in any other occupation
  • proactive contractors have fewer costly accidents, which results in fewer project problems and delays.
Pointers
  • Seek advice, for instance, from the Department of Labour, Occupational Health and Safety, or other organisations such as Site Safe.
  • Bring all parties together early to consider how safety issues can be managed.
  • During the design phase, consider how you will provide safe access to work areas and safety features (such as anchor points), for all maintenance and cleaning activities.
  • Only use contractors and suppliers with a good health and safety record.
  • Ensure the building is well maintained to minimise accidents associated with faulty or loose fixtures and fittings.
  • Ensure there is a fire safety strategy in place, including fire drill training, and that all staff are familiar and comfortable with it.
  • Provide first aid equipment, facilities and training.

Useful resources and information


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