Unlike residential and commercial projects, civil construction works affect a lot of people. The government, local communities, business people and institutions are all stakeholders in civil construction projects. The article below details how contractors can ensure safety when executing civil works projects. 

Conduct Site Assessments 

Site assessments enable contractors to understand the conditions that they will be working in. For example, when building a road, a contractor would be interested in the area's soil conditions and slope. On the other hand, soil stability would be a major concern when building a bridge. Other than site conditions, the assessment should also establish the environmental impact of the project. For example, will the project cause pollution in the area? If so, how can this be controlled? For example, a water curtain can prevent dust.  

Choose The Right Plant Equipment

Civil construction works involve the use of plant equipment. Below are some tips to help contractors choose suitable equipment: 

• Go for models that are less prone to breakdowns and wear. Since you are on a tight schedule, you could opt to work overtime. Therefore, go for equipment that can withstand long working hours.
• Do not merely think about the equipment; consider the attachments, for example, buckets and excavators can support augers and grapples. On the other hand, a bulldozer can support a blade and a winch.
• Check the capabilities of the equipment. For instance, tracking plant equipment can handle off-road, unstable and muddy conditions.
• Consider operator safety and comfort. For instance, a cab with air conditioning will keep the operator comfortable when working at night or on hot days. 

Initiate Site Safety Measures

Since you will have different crews working at the site, it is reasonable to create standardised safety measures. For example, you should have a traffic control plan to ensure order at the site. Additionally, you should barricade the site to prevent intruders from accessing the site. Moreover, prioritise safety. For example, site personnel should wear protective clothing. Besides, the plant equipment should only be used for their recommended purposes. At regular intervals, plant equipment should be inspected, serviced and repaired. Finally, you should have adequate insurance to cover your employees and any subcontractors at the site. 

Educate The Community

The local community bears a stake in the project. Therefore, it would be wise to consult with them before commencing the project. For instance, if they have concerns about noisy plant equipment, you could take measures to reduce noise at the site. For example, you could conduct the works during the day. Remember to inform them about the risks of accessing the site unescorted. 

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