For those members taking a ‘Builders break’, the Association recommends that contractors plan well since the industry cannot afford any further losses due to any oversight during this period. The most important factor is to secure the site and safeguard all assets.
To this end, the following is a list of items each contractor should consider during this period:
Secure the perimeter of the site.
Have security guards in place and decide on which areas they may access.
Electrical power on site – decide on what security lighting is required that will remain on. All other breakers for circuits that are not required should be turned off.
Water supply only for security and firefighting to be left on. All other waterpoints to be deactivated.
All high-value materials that are easily transportable to be taken off site or if this is impractical, secured on site.
All small power tools and survey equipment are to be removed from site and stored safely.
All plant to be cleaned and secured on site. Remove all batteries from the plant and store securely.
All keys for plant and secure containers to be removed from site.
Cranes are to be secured and the boom placed in free mode.
Remove all computers and any other high-value electronic goods from site.
Identify any areas of risk on site and secure with barriers and warning signs. Make sure that all scaffolding is secure and that access to the scaffolding is controlled.
Contact numbers of personnel in case of emergency during the holiday are to be posted in the security office. Ensure that the personnel know that they are serving as a point of first contact.
It is also important to remember that the December period can feature some bad weather. Strong winds can have devastating effects on scaffolding and other temporary structures such as site fencing. Therefore, ensure that these items are properly secured to prevent collapse and damage to others.
Carefully plan to close the site for this break so that you can be rewarded with a stress-free holiday. This will recharge your batteries and enable you to come back in the new year and complete the project timeously and profitably.
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