How to build your 'consultant’s team'

Do I need a hoarding or a security fence? In Melbourne all demolition works require secure fencing to protect passers-by and restrict access. This is invariably a temporary fence erected for the duration of the works. If the boundary is beside a public throughfare it can only be a wire security fence if the distance from the structure is more than the measurement of twice the height of the existing building. Otherwise, it must be a solid hoarding. How high should hoardings be? Australian standards call for perimeter security fences/hoardings to all building and demolition sites. The minimum height is set at 1.8m high above an adjacent public throughfare. The three most popular security fences are:- Solid Timber Solid timber hoardings are constructed by concreting large robust timber posts into the ground and fitting timber runners between. Bracing may be added for extra stability. Sheets of ply are fixed to the timber structure facing out of the site to the public area. They are often 2.4 m high as the lower minimum of 1.8m is often considered a little modest. Sheets of ply are produced at a standard 2.4 x 1.2m and this has become the default height of typical hoardings. In order to increase their aesthetic appearance, a skirting/plinth or a frame is often fixed to the external face edges. The hoarding is painted and signage fixed to the face with public warnings and information. In order to impress potential purchasers/customers or because of the prestige of the building behind hoardings are often ‘wrapped’ in a plastic sheeting with high quality images or signs. Solid Steel Solid steel is used where a solid hoarding is required but it does not have to be as robust as a timber post ply hoarding. The factory formed panels are all made to standard sizes and pre-painted. They are supported by purpose made concrete or weighted plastic feet. They are placed on the ground and do not need to be secured down as they rely on self-weight. They are coupled together laterally by connectors that are manufactured as part of the kit. Standard size gates can be included in the package. Signage can be fixed to the face of the solid panels. Wire Panel Wire panel fences are similar to solid steel although obviously they are wire with openings. They can be left as a finished product or often netting is fixed to the panels still allowing vision from external areas but stopping items protruding through the fence. The netting can be printed with information or warnings. These kits can be purchased outright or hired for the works duration. One benefit of the solid steel or wire panels is that they are speedily demountable and moveable whereas the timber fencing is static. Should Hoardings be lit in Melbourne? On Melbourne demolition sites lighting should be provided so that operations and obstructions are clearly visible. Basically, we want to protect any person working on site or passing by. So, if lighting inside the assists, then provide lighting. If lighting the hoarding prevents people or vehicles colliding with the hoarding then light the hoarding. This will be determined by an on-site risk assessment. Construction sites are similar but other concerns are also raised. It may also be a consideration that security lighting reduces the likelihood of unauthorised entry. As part of our hazard identification and site risk assessment procedure, we assess what protections and security should be in place. Give us a call to discuss risk management and protection. Do Hoardings Have to be Designed by an Engineer in Melbourne You can only erect hoardings with the land owner’s approval. Permission from a private owner can be either formal or informal. If the owner is a council or public body this is always ultra-formal and detailed authorisation is necessary. They sometimes publish application requirements on their websites and you need to follow their conditions to the letter. When you progress into discussion, they often ask you to supply structural calculations from an engineer for the hoarding to demonstrate that it will be stable. They will more than likely ask for design drawings, work plans, details of plant and tools, certificates of insurances, traffic management plans, health and safety documents etc. This leads to a formal agreement between you and the authority. Fitzpatrick’s are well versed in these negotiations and the compilation of fully compliant documentation. Give Mark a call and we can take over this for you!

When do you need overhead protection in Melbourne? If your Melbourne building has a street frontage or is close to it and the structure height exceeds 4.0m, you need overhead protection to safeguard members of the public. This mostly affects shops and offices you walk directly into from a public footpath. What protection must be provided? Protection is normally provided by a ‘special duty scaffold’ which by design structurally supports universally distributed live loads. It must also be designed to deflect any demolished materials back onto the scaffold and not into the public area. It is not a case of just asking that this be done – calculations, designs, safety documents etc are all required to meet building regulations. Scaffolding as overhead protection is regulated and must be in line with: AS 2601 – 2001. AS 1576 AS 1577 AS/NZS 4576 Call Fitzpatrick Team to get this right first time.

All workers and visitors to Melbourne construction sites must dress in approved safety wear and helmets. Workers must also wear approved personal protective clothing and carry personal protective equipment (PPE). The Magnificent Seven PCBU - Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking How far can the blame be spread? Construction sites can be dangerous workplaces and the essential safety workwear and PPE to keep all our workers and visitors safe should be used by all who attend your construction site. It is morally imperative that all workers, visitors and passers-by are kept safe and sound and it is a corporate responsibility that sufficient equipment is available. Precautions must be in place to ensure that not only are safe working practices carefully followed but that behaviour matches the aspiration. The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must provide sufficient resources to ensure that all contractors and operatives are fully funded to employ safe working methods. This is a catchall that covers the client as well as the builder. Q. If it all goes horribly wrong how far can the blame be spread? A. The blame can be spread far and wide and it is best avoided by taking care on how things are set up in the first place. The builder and client should work together to keep your work-site safe. The Magnificent Seven Checklist Hard hats are required to be worn by all people entering the worksite to protect them from something dropping onto their head or their heads colliding with low lying projecting object (such as a scaffold pole). AS/NZS 1801. Safety footwear protects your feet from being crushed by materials or people. AS/NZS 2210.1 and AS/NZS 2210.2 Safety gloves or mittens to protect your skin from hazardous materials or from rough surfaces or splinters. AS/NZS 2161. Hearing protection shields ears and your senses from loud noise preventing hearing loss. AS 1270. Safety glasses or eye protectors to protect your eyes from dust and dirt. AS1336 and 1337 Industrial safety belts or harnesses to provide a lifeline for people working at height. AS/NZS 1891. (all parts) Reflective clothing (Hi Viz) to make you more visible to others. Clothing should provide body protection and guard the wearer from scuffs and bruises. Bare skin on legs and arms should be protected from sun damage which leads to skin irritation and cancers. The magnificent seven are a great place to start in setting your goals for a safe workplace. Fitzpatrick’s use this checklist to ensure that all people are kept safe whether they are a visitor or on site worker. But this list is only the start, we have systems in place to keep our worksite safe. Give Mark a call and demand a safe working environment for your building works.

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