Renovation Tip #8

Make sure your builder is Health and Safety compliant

In every renovation project there are legal requirements concerning the health and safety of individuals operating, working and going into the work site.

It is against the law to do a renovation without a health and safety plan that ensures the well being of individuals going into the building site.

This is where the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 comes into play; it’s purpose is to keep workplaces safe and healthy for everyone who goes onto them. The act places duties on certain individuals and it is their responsibility to plan, evaluate and control potential risks involved when people go into a building site. Usually builders and subcontractors are responsible for identifying and controlling the work environment.

When hazards are clearly identified the person responsible must control the safety of the workplace by:

• • Eliminating the hazard if possible
• • If that is not possible, isolate the hazard
• • If that is not possible, minimise the hazard

This is one of the biggest mistakes when doing a renovation project, because if a worker suffers a severe injury they are likely unable to complete their job task; therefore extra time and cost will be needed to find a replacement to finish the job. It is better to be safe than sorry, to not let any potential risks and hazards interfere with your renovation project and that it runs as smoothly as possible.

The employer has to take all rational steps to make sure the work done on the building site is carried out in a safe manner and should be constantly monitored. This includes having a health and safety plan for the site, putting up barriers, fences or other safeguards to stop unauthorised people entering, and making sure employees:

• • Have the right qualified training to do the work
• • Wear appropriate safety gear at all times when on site
• • Follow all health and safety procedures
• • Use tools, equipment and scaffolding in a safe manner
• • Safely store and secure all materials, plant, equipments and tools

When a builder begins a building project it is very important that you ask them how they will manage potential risks such as:

• • The risk of heavy rain which can cause corrosion and residue
• • Pollution discharges from concreting, plastering and painting operations
• • Managing constructional waste – waste reduction
• • Movement to and from the site by heavy vehicles
• • Any other possible risk effects on the environment and neighbouring properties and public places

Your main contractor’s health and safety site plan should include:

• • Who is responsible for health and safety on the building site
• • Identifying and controlling potential hazards
• • Posting of notices and warnings of potential hazards
• • Restriction of access to the site to authorised people only
• • Regular guidance on ensuring a safe working environment at all times Instructions in safe methods and practices
• • Provision for safety meetings Safety reviews on plant and procedures

Continue to Renovation Tip #9:

> Have and allow a contingency fund for unexpected costs or unforeseen occurrences.