Element 2

Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control

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Learning Outcomes

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Once you’ve read this element, you’ll
understand how to:

Explain the factors which should be

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1
considered when carrying out an initial
assessment of a site to identify significant

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hazards and their risks.

2 Explain the appropriate general site

control measures needed in setting up and
organising a site.
M3 Identify the welfare facilities required on
construction sites.
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4 Explain the hazards and appropriate
control measures for violence at work.
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5 Explain the hazards of substance misuse

on health and safety at work and control
measures.

6 Explain the hazards associated with the

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movement of people on construction sites

and the control measures for pedestrians.
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© RRC International Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control 2-1
 Contents

Initial Site Assessment 2-3

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Introduction to Initial Site Assessment 2-3
Factors to Consider when Carrying Out an Initial Site Assessment 2-3

General Site Control Measures 2-6

Site Planning 2-6

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Site Preparation for Specialist Activities 2-8
Site Waste Management Plans 2-8
Working on Dispersed Sites and in Very Remote Locations 2-8
Protection from Native Wildlife 2-9

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Site Security and Protecting the Public 2-9
Arrangements with Clients and Occupiers of Premises 2-12
Arrangements for Site Inductions 2-13

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Working in Occupied Premises 2-13

Welfare Facilities Required on Construction Sites 2-15

Provision of Accommodation and Welfare Facilities 2-15
Effects of Exposure to Sunlight and Inclement Weather 2-18
Effects of Extreme Temperature

Violence at Work
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2-21
Risk Factors Relating to Violence at Work 2-21
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Control Measures to Reduce Risks from Violence at Work 2-22

Substance Misuse at Work 2-24

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Risks to Health and Safety from Alcohol and Drugs at Work 2-24
Control Measures to Reduce Risks from Misuse of Alcohol and Drugs at Work 2-25

Safe Movement of People on Construction Sites 2-26

Hazards and Risks to Pedestrians 2-26
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Control Measures for Pedestrian Hazards 2-30

Maintenance of a Safe Workplace 2-33
Protection on Public Highways 2-35
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Summary 2-36

Exam Skills 2-37

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2-2 Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control © RRC International
 Initial Site Assessment 2.1

Initial Site Assessment

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IN THIS SECTION...
• Assessment of a site prior to construction is important in order to identify hazards that may be encountered
during the work.

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• The initial site assessment should look at:
–– Previous and current use and any existing occupied or unoccupied premises.

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–– The history of the site, and the presence of asbestos, other contaminants, and physical hazards such as
underground voids.
–– The area of the site and any restrictions that may apply (special planning requirements or rights of way).

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–– The topography and ground conditions.
–– Weather and climatic conditions.
–– Any non-construction activities that may take place on site.

–– Safe means of access.

–– The presence of buried or overhead services.
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–– The nature of the surroundings and proximity of features such as roads, footpaths, railways, waterways, etc.
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Introduction to Initial Site Assessment
Before starting a construction project an overall assessment needs to be carried out to identify the significant hazards
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and the physical features which will constrain the site layout, access roads, temporary roads, storage areas and the
siting of office and welfare facilities.

The initial site assessment should form the basis for developing the pre-construction information and the
construction health and safety plan.
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Factors to Consider when Carrying Out an Initial Site

Assessment
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Previous and Current Use of the Land

Construction often takes place on greenfield sites (no previous buildings
or industrial use) or brownfield sites (land that had or still has buildings
on it, usually industrial). The type and nature of any premises on the land
(occupied and unoccupied) should be determined. Due to the varied
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nature of work that may have been carried out at these sites, a thorough
investigation and assessment is required to establish any hazards that may
remain.
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Unoccupied or abandoned premises can cause a problem and it may be

necessary to research archives in local libraries or the local government
offices to identify what activities used to be carried out at the site.

Note any evidence of trespass, vandalism or arson, and evidence of drug

The initial site assessment should
use. discover contaminated land issues

© RRC International Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control 2-3
 2.1 Initial Site Assessment

All existing buildings, other than modern ones, will need to be surveyed for the presence of asbestos.

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History of the Site
This could lead to the discovery of hazardous substances or materials (e.g. asbestos, lead, and other chemicals) that
could leave both contaminated buildings and land. There may be underground voids, which could be cellars or pits
from previous buildings - these may not always be obvious where buildings have been demolished. Depending on the

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previous use, the ground conditions may also have been altered. If there has been mining activity in the area there will
be underground tunnels and voids that may cause future subsidence or collapse.

Area of Site: Restrictions

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When considering construction, it is important to establish whether the area intended as the site has any restrictions
on it regarding its development or use. Sites might be within preservation areas, nature reserves, national or

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international areas of outstanding natural beauty, protected or endangered forests, or may have buildings listed for
preservation. There might be local by-laws forbidding or restricting construction work.

TOPIC FOCUS
Restrictions on land for construction could include: M
• National or regional planning authorities placing planning or statutory restrictions.
• Local authorities having regulations, planning restrictions and building by-laws.
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• Buildings listed for preservation.
• Government trade and industry regulations requiring permission for industrial development.
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• Rights of way.
• Rights of support.
• Rights of light.
• Tunnels; mine workings; and abandoned, active or proposed mineral rights.
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• Ancient monuments (fortresses, tumuli, etc.) and burial grounds.

• Previously potentially contaminating uses of the site and adjacent areas.
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Topography and Ground Conditions

Local features can be important, so various mapping and survey methods can be used to determine the locations of
rivers, streams and waterways, other natural features, and buildings and housing. Landfill gases may cause vegetation
distress, as could previous chemical contamination, water deficiency or heat. The ground may also still be affected by
extremes of temperature from previous installations such as cold-storage plants.
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The site survey itself may involve the digging or drilling of various pits, trenches or boreholes to establish the presence
of underground services and to enable soil sampling and testing to take place.
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Railway or road cuttings can reveal soil and rock types and their stability characteristics. Similarly, there may be
embankments, buildings or other structures in the vicinity that have settled into the ground because of the presence
of compressible or unstable soils.

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 Initial Site Assessment 2.1

Weather and Climatic Conditions

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Article 12 of the ILO Convention 167 states that, in accordance with national laws and regulations, workers should
have the right to remove themselves from situations in which they have good reason to believe that there is an
imminent or serious danger to their health or safety.

Throughout the world, dangerous working conditions can arise as a result of certain types of weather or climate;

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these may be short term (local storms, tornadoes, etc.) or long term (seasonal weather, e.g. monsoon rain season). As
most construction work takes place outdoors, exposure to weather and climate is a regular hazard, and this should be
taken into account in the site assessment, the risk assessment of workplace conditions, and the provision of welfare
facilities.

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Other Non-Construction Activities on Site
There may be other activities going on alongside the construction, e.g. on shopping streets and in adjacent offices

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and buildings, that must be taken into consideration. Problems may arise from noise, dust, overhead work, vehicle
movements, etc.

Nature of Surroundings
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It is important that construction causes no harm to features such as roads, footpaths, railways, waterways, other
residential, commercial or industrial properties and schools. Details of the surrounding features before, during and
after construction, with drawings and photographs, may be useful.

Means of Access
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Existing and future access requirements into and out of the site must be considered, particularly the effects of
volumes of traffic, weight of vehicles and their loads, dusts and noise. Controls such as sheeting vehicles and wheel
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washing may be required.

Presence of Overhead or Buried Services

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DEFINITION
SERVICES
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When referring to overhead or buried services, we generally mean: water pipes, gas pipes, oil pipelines,
electricity supply cables, sewers and drains, telephone and IT communication cables, etc.

All services within and around the site, both overhead and underground, must be located and identified. Easily missed
are services within existing buildings that may remain or be demolished as part of the project.
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STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What factors should be taken into account in an initial site assessment?
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2. List four restrictions that may apply to an area being considered as a construction site.
(Suggested Answers are at the end.)

© RRC International Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control 2-5
 2.2 General Site Control Measures

General Site Control Measures

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IN THIS SECTION...
• Site planning requires arrangements for site access, roadways, loading, unloading and storage of goods and
materials, offices, lighting, signs, remediation works and provision of utility services.

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• Specialist activities such as lifting operations, piling and steelworks must be considered.
• Waste management plans may be required for the site.

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• Consideration must be given for working at remote locations or dispersed sites, with any necessary protection
from wild animals, etc.
• Site security is important, as is the provision of protection for construction workers, and appropriate methods for

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protecting members of the public and vulnerable groups, such as children.
• Arrangements should be in place with clients and occupiers of premises with regard to induction training, site
rules and co-operation and shared facilities.
• Arrangements will be required where work is carried out in close proximity to the public and particularly in
occupied premises.

Site Planning
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Site Access
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• Suitable signs should be placed at site entrances and elsewhere, warning
of site activities.
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• Site traffic will need good visibility entering and leaving the site.
• Site offices and staff parking should be close to the entrance.
• Access should be controlled and visitors signed in and out.
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• Arrangements for waste collection and removal should be in place.

Suitable signs to be placed at site
• Access for emergency services should be identified and kept clear. entrance

• Consideration should be given to any footpaths or public rights of way through the site.
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Roadways
• All roadways and pedestrian routes should be properly signed.
• Pedestrians should be segregated from vehicles as much as possible.
• A one-way system should be put in place, with designated reversing areas if this can’t be avoided.
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• Liaison with local authorities may be needed for controls on public roads.

Storage
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Storage areas should be well signed, secured and protected, and large enough to accommodate what may be left on
site. Some materials should be segregated (e.g. gas bottles, chemicals, etc.), and combustibles (timber, etc.) kept away
from flammables or heat sources.

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 General Site Control Measures 2.2

Loading and Unloading

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DEFINITION
BANKSMAN

A trained person who remains within view of a vehicle driver or crane operator at all times, and gives signals

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to the driver to direct him safely (i.e. “Turn left”, “Slow down”, “Reverse”, etc.), at the same time protecting
people from the vehicle movement.

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• Safe areas for this will be required away from pedestrian activity.
• A trained banksman should be used for reversing and unloading operations.

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• Operations may need to be halted while some crane or unloading activities take place.

Offices
• Site offices should be as close to the site entrance as possible.
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• They are usually portable buildings and local authorities may need to be notified of their presence.
• Some buildings may be more than one floor high and adequate fire precautions and escape arrangements must
be in place.
• All temporary services to site offices should be correctly identified and protected from damage where necessary.
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Lighting
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• All site access routes, signs, scaffolding and waste skips should be well lit and free from dark shadowy areas.
• There should be enough lighting to allow people to move around the site safely.
• Some areas, such as pedestrian crossings, may need local lighting.

Signs
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• The health and safety plan will show where on the site layout it’s best to place signs, which are likely to be moved
as work progresses.
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• All signs must be clear and conform to national, regional or local standards.
• Traffic signs should be reflective, or may require lighting.

Remediation Works and Provision of Utility Services

• All areas must be safe to work in from the start of the project, so remediation works such as shoring up unstable
structures and covering holes and excavations may be required. (Note that the term 'remediation' can also refer
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to works to improve contaminated land.)

• Existing boundary fences, roadways, etc. may need to be brought up to a safe standard.
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• The site works may need the provision of water, electricity and drainage for construction workers’ welfare
facilities.

© RRC International Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control 2-7
 2.2 General Site Control Measures

Site Preparation for Specialist Activities

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• Lifting Operations
The use of cranes will require good access, firm ground, plenty of room and a safety zone to exclude pedestrians.
Overhead safety must be ensured to avoid obstructions such as cables.

• Piling

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This also requires good access and space for the mechanical pile-drivers. Noise and dust can be issues here. Safety
zones should be applied and all buried services should be identified before any work starts. Cranes may be used
together with pile drivers to lift and locate pilings.

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• Steelwork
Safe areas will be required to bring in and store materials. Cranes may be used to lift the steelwork, so exclusion

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zones will apply. Safe systems of work for work at height must be in place.

Site Waste Management Plans

A client starting a construction project should appoint a principal contractor to deal with waste management, or
assume waste management duties themselves.

A site waste management plan should be put in place which identifies:

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• Who the client is.
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• Who the principal contractor is.
• The person who drafted the plan.
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The plan must describe what construction work is proposed in the project, including the:

• Location of the construction site.

• Estimated cost of the project.
The plan should show the nature of the project, its design, construction methods and materials used so that amounts
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of waste produced on site can be minimised. It must describe each waste type and the amounts of each likely to be
generated, and what actions are appropriate, i.e. re-using, recycling, recovery or disposal.

The plan should include a declaration that the client and principal contractor will deal with all wastes in accordance
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with their duty of care and that materials will be handled efficiently and waste managed appropriately.

Site waste management plans for projects will need to be updated by the principal contractor as their size and costs
increase. The client and principal contractor should ensure co-operation, co-ordination and the management of
contractors on site to ensure health, safety and environmental issues are followed.

Working on Dispersed Sites and in Very Remote Locations

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According to the ILO Code of Practice Safety and Health in Construction (2.2.13), special procedures should be in
place to protect the safety of workers who are operating on dispersed sites, in small isolated groups or in remote
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locations. In such cases, employers should institute a checking system to ensure that they are able to determine the
whereabouts of the workers concerned. Employers should be able to check that all members of a shift, including all
drivers of vehicles and operators of mobile or remote plant, are accounted for, and that they have returned to the
camp or base for work at the end of the shift or work period.

Particular attention needs to be paid to emergency situations, especially if emergency aid or evacuation needs to be
provided at such locations.

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 General Site Control Measures 2.2

Protection from Native Wildlife

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Various ILO documents consider the need to protect workers from contact with native wildlife, such as wild or
poisonous animals or insects. The greater the distance from urban areas that construction takes place, the greater the
danger of contact with wild animals, particularly where intrusion into their natural habitats takes place. Wild animals
may also venture into construction areas to scavenge for food and water, or seek shelter, especially if the work is
taking place in a remote location.

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Within the construction, demolition and excavation sector of industrial activity (ILO classification of activities) the
mode of injury “bites, kicks, blows, butts, etc.” from animals is considered. Risk assessment and, where appropriate,
preventive control measures with respect to contact with wild animals should be in place. Security fencing (see below)

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is one possibility.

As well as allowing for direct contact with animals, consideration should also be made for carcasses and droppings,

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and the associated zoonoses (diseases from animals) that may be associated with this, e.g. anthrax, E-coli (Escherichia
Coli), Q fever (Coxiella Burnetii) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Animals near to sources of water may also be a source of Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease).

Housekeeping on site and the site waste management plan play an important part in ensuring that all human food
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wastes are properly controlled and disposed of to prevent wild animals scavenging, and all wastes such as paper,
board, straw and similar packaging are controlled to prevent animals taking it or using it on site for bedding.

Site Security and Protecting the Public

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Site security consists of:

• Traditional physical, electrical and electronic measures.

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• Management and procedural measures.

Examples include:

• Perimeter fencing.
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• CCTV and alarms.

• Safety signs.
• Locked gates.
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• Temporary compounds.
• Roadside lighting.
• Permanent compounds. Security guard on premises

• Security guards on the premises.

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• Visitor registration and sign-in procedures.

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 2.2 General Site Control Measures

Perimeter Fencing

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All construction sites should use security fencing (‘heras’ fencing) or
hoarding (usually wooden boards) and apply safety signs to warn of the
dangers on site:

• Fencing should:

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–– Be at least 2 metres high and must be well maintained.
–– Not be easy to climb.
–– Be robust and withstand bad weather and extreme environmental

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conditions.
“Heras” site security fencing in easy-
• Access should be through gates which can be secured when the site is to-handle panels
not in use. (Photo by kind permission of Heras

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Readyfence)
• It is good practice to have a security guard at a gate to allow access to
authorised persons only.

Protecting the Public

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As well as perimeter fencing options, the following can be used to protect the public:

• Pedestrian tunnels and walkways with lighting.

• False ceilings and crash-decks.
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• Sheeting on scaffolding.
• Wrapping protrusions (bolts, couplings, etc.).
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• Barriers and signs around excavations.

• Safe viewing points in safe areas and vision panels in solid hoardings.
Precautions for special risk groups, such as disabled persons, should be considered.
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Trespass by Children
Complete perimeter fencing is not always possible, especially on
housing sites under development with the associated coming and going
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of prospective buyers. All site staff need to be aware of this problem,

particularly in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays.

Visiting local schools, producing pictures and videos, and arranging meetings
and talks with parents and their children to make them aware of the hazards
and risks on the site can all help to promote site safety awareness and
reduce accidents with children.
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Children must be aware of

construction dangers
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 General Site Control Measures 2.2

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TOPIC FOCUS
In addition to secure fencing of sites, education and publicity, precautions that can reduce site risks involving
children include:

• Removing all ladders from scaffolding, buildings, work platforms, etc. and storing them in a secure area.

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• Providing secure and adequate supports around all excavations.
• Immobilising plant such as dumpers, excavators and other site vehicles.
• Isolating all electrical equipment not required for night safety and security and ensuring the integrity of

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emergency electricity supplies to the site.
• Reducing the height of all stacked materials.

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• Covering any holes that cannot be filled in.
• Blocking off debris chutes by fitting lids or covers to prevent them being used as slides.
• Locking away all chemicals, gas cylinders, tools and equipment in safe and secure storage facilities.
• Securing storage tanks for petrol, diesel, oil, etc.

Signs
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Suitable warning signs alerting the public to the hazards and risks on the site should be fixed to the perimeter fence
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or at other prominent positions and must be compliant with national or regional legislative requirements. Employers
should be aware that children and others may not be able to read and should design their signs accordingly using
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pictures as well as text.

Safe Viewing Points

Suitable safe viewing points should be established, especially where excavation, demolition, erecting, dismantling, or
any specialist activities are taking place.
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Means of Securing Plant and Chemicals

Construction plant and materials can be both expensive and hazardous, so safe areas are needed to secure such items.
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This is not only to protect them from damage, but also to protect people on site from the hazards associated with
them, particularly children.

Gas cylinders and storage tanks should be in a safe area; both temporary and permanent security compounds can be
used.

Means of Controlling Environmental Dangers

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Construction sites create dust, which becomes mud when wet. It is difficult to prevent dust leaving the site - it is
carried by the wind and on vehicles - but efforts can be made, such as:
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• Wheel washes, to keep mud on site.

• Road sweeping, to stop dust off site becoming a mud problem.
Mud and sand can be unsightly and dangerous to cars and the general public. Care should be taken to ensure that
run-off water from washing vehicles (including the detergent used) does not run into any watercourse, river or lake
and goes to an appropriate drainage system which incorporates an interceptor or sump to remove any solid materials.

© RRC International Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control 2-11
 2.2 General Site Control Measures

Arrangements with Clients and Occupiers of Premises

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Site Rules
When construction work is in progress a set of site rules should be in place which everyone on site must be informed
of. They should be used in all on-site safety training and displayed in prominent places at all times. Site rules apply to
all persons who may come onto the site, not just construction employees, so need to be passed to the occupiers to

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ensure compliance of their employees and visitors.

TOPIC FOCUS

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Site Rules

The principal contractor should put in place rules covering:

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• Site access - means of access and authorisations for certain areas.
• Operation of any permit-to-work systems.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.
• Fire precautions and prevention.
• Nature and accessibility of welfare facilities.
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• Site alarms and emergency response.
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• First-aid and accident reporting.
• Site transport precautions - speed limits, driver rules, parking, reversing, loading and unloading, and
deliveries to site.
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The type and detail of the rules will depend on the nature and size of the site and the work carried out.

Co-operation
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Where work is carried out on site with many different contractors involved, close co-operation is required to
manage not only the risks inherent in or created by the construction work itself, but also those created by sharing
the workplace. Agreement must be reached to ensure that health and safety risks and the precautions required are
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adequately managed and well co-ordinated. This might involve reaching agreement on both individual and collective
responsibilities relating to such matters as:

• Access control.
• Segregation issues.
• Communication of information regarding health and safety matters, e.g. risks, emergency procedures,
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vulnerability of people on site and site rule requirements.

• Perimeter boundaries and work areas.
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Shared Facilities
On a dedicated construction site, one set of facilities (toilets, washrooms, rest and eating areas, first aid, etc.) is usually
provided and shared by all contractors and participants in the work.

On a site with occupants, there may be facilities already there that can be shared, e.g. toilets, first aid, etc. These
arrangements will be put in place following consultation with the occupiers.

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 General Site Control Measures 2.2

Protection of Other Employees and Visitors

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Where occupants of premises being worked on cannot be evacuated for the duration of the work, precautions
must be taken to protect them. Methods of separation and segregation may be required. Occupants must be given
adequate health and safety information about what is going on around them. On all sites, visitors need particular
protection as they will be unaware of the site layout and the hazards presented by the work being done.

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Arrangements for Site Inductions
The principal contractor should ensure that site inductions are in place and carried out for all employees and visitors
to the site.

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All inductions should be recorded and include:

• Details of site arrangements (e.g. signing-in procedures, car parking, use of PPE).

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• Conditions of work.
• Emergency procedures including accident reporting, fire precautions, medical welfare where appropriate,
locations and purpose of all safety and fire equipment.
• Special hazards and permit-to-work requirements.
• Exclusion and no-go areas.
• Use of mobile telephones, etc.
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In most cases site induction will not contain any in-depth health and safety training about specific tasks or hazards,
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such as work at height or use of plant and equipment. Contractors usually deal with this in a series of regular toolbox
talks.
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DEFINITION
TOOLBOX TALKS

Safety-related briefs, intended to be given to a workforce (by a supervisor) in a short (e.g. 10 minute) talk.
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They are usually carried out in the immediate workplace. Toolbox talks cover all topics and records are kept of
attendance.
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Working in Occupied Premises

Some construction work may take place in occupied premises - possibly a commercial enterprise, such as an office
block or factory, or in a public environment, such as a school, hospital or shopping centre.

Safety rules need to be applied to ensure the health and safety of the construction workers, the employees of the
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client and members of the public. These rules must take into account existing rules that are in place governing the
activities of the occupants.

Extra precautions may be required, such as:

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• Isolating areas of work from occupants.

• Arranging work out of ‘normal’ hours (e.g. at night or weekends).
• Appointing wardens to regularly inspect all occupied areas to ensure safety.

© RRC International Unit ICC1 Element 2: Construction Site - Hazards and Risk Control 2-13
 2.2 General Site Control Measures

• Carrying out more frequent cleaning and waste removal.

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• Safety briefs for occupants to make them aware of the hazards and ensure they understand the safety signs, etc.
In all cases, liaison must be ensured and a forum made available for questions, comments or complaints from the
occupants.

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STUDY QUESTIONS
3. What site security measures may be used on a construction site?
4. What should site rules cover?

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5. What precautions are necessary to prevent accidents to children on a construction site?
(Suggested Answers are at the end.)

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