Construction Site Types, Safety & Tips (All You Need to Know)
What then takes place on a construction site? A project’s choice of the building site is influenced by factors other than materials, such as design and use case. The various types of construction sites and the activities that occur there will be covered in this article.
What are Construction Sites?
An area or parcel of land where construction work is being done is called a construction site. Building sites are a shortened form of construction sites.
This typically suggests that structures like buildings or houses are being built, but “construction site” refers to a wider range of activities.
To create an appropriate setting for experts to continue their fieldwork, landscape attributes including soil and vegetation are adjusted.
When a piece of land is given to a contractor to start construction, it becomes a construction site.
Types of Construction Sites
There are various classification schemes for construction sites. Either a construction site or an industrial site is the most typical classification.
The kind of owner, the type of building, and the fire safety can all be used to categorize construction sites.
Below, we will go through various construction site types and the circumstances in which they may be used.
1. Commercial
Any project built for a commercial purpose is referred to as a commercial construction project. Hospitals, eateries, office buildings, skyscrapers, universities, and other structures are among them.
Institutional projects, on the other hand, cover things like schools, hospitals, jails, and nursing homes.
Commercial construction and industrial construction are both used equally. When it comes to contractual obligations and payment schedules, these projects function similarly. The occupation of the structure is the only distinction.
2. Industrial
The industrial construction site is another area of a business site. Refineries, power plants, manufacturing facilities, and solar wind farms make up a minor portion of the construction industry’s projects.
3. Residential
These are the sites where condos, apartments, and housing complexes are being built. The laws governing residential construction sites differ between nations and states.
The majority of the residential building occurs in cities, which results in stricter regulations safeguarding nearby inhabitants and pedestrians.
A multi-unit residential building is regarded as a commercial endeavor. If they are situated inside the boundaries of the construction site.
Additionally, multiple contractors may work on a project as long as they limit their services to the defined construction site.
4. Waste Management Site
Due to the dense population, waste handling facilities can be found close to cities. Sewage systems that connect these locations to waste management systems connect these locations.
The tasks at waste management construction sites include sorting, recycling, and getting rid of dangerous wastes.
As the water is cleaned and utilized for secondary purposes like irrigation, water purification facilities are occasionally located next to waste management facilities.
5. Power Generation
Hydroelectric power, solar power, and wind power are the three main types of energy used in most nations.
Coal, oil, and gas are some other energy sources. Infrastructure projects like coal and gas projects are built differently from solar and hydroelectric power facilities.
Constructing, installing, and maintaining conductors and shields for power generation are all part of establishing power generation plants.
6. Gas and Oil
Because of their combustible nature, gas and oil sites are highly secured. Typically, there is a long distance between the entrance to the building site and the location of the real work.
Because of the threat that this combustible and explosive nature poses, it must be handled carefully.
As two of the most important energy sources, gas and oil must be kept away from populated areas because if someone tampers with the supply, it will impair the energy supply to large cities.
7. Special Industrial Construction Site
Industrial building sites entail substantial, very complicated undertakings.
Steel mills, chemical processing facilities, oil refineries, and nuclear power plants are a few examples of these types of specialized industrial locations.
8. Heavy Construction/Transport
Large projects that do not come within either building or roadway projects are referred to as heavy construction projects.
Dams, sewer lines, flood control initiatives, dredging, and water treatment facilities are a few examples of such projects.
10 Simple Safety Rules for Construction Sites
Working on construction sites is risky. To keep you and others safe on construction sites, abide by these 10 basic safety standards.
You may contribute to making your site a safer place to work by wearing PPE and following procedures.
1. Always put on your PPE
Make sure you have the appropriate PPE before you enter the site. PPE is crucial because, should you come into contact with a hazard on the job site, it will be your last line of defense.
Hi-viz makes it easier to be seen. Safety boots provide traction and safeguard your feet. Your skull cannot be simply replaced, unlike hard caps.
If you don’t wear it, it can’t protect you. As a minimum, put on your hard hat, safety boots, and hi-viz vest, as well as any other PPE necessary for the activity at hand.
2. Do not begin Work without receiving an Induction
Each site has specific risks and work procedures. Sites vary greatly from one another. Be sure to stay informed so that you can work safely.
Every construction site you work on must follow a legal obligation known as induction.
Your initiation is significant. It explains how to log in, where to go, what to do, and what to stay away from. Never begin your task without one.
3. Keep the Site neat.
Construction sites are untidy. Don’t be deceived; slipping and falling may not appear like a significant issue in comparison to other high-risk tasks taken on the site.
Slips and trips accounted for 30% of defined significant injuries on construction sites between 2016/17 and 2018/19, according to HSE statistics.
To lessen the risk of slip and trip risks, keep your work environment neat during your shift. Pay close attention to things like access points and evacuation routes.
4. Do not endanger yourself or others
Words are less powerful than deeds. Particularly on job sites where one mistake could put you in danger. Set a good example by acting and thinking safely while on the job.
You are in charge of your own actions. Working on construction sites is risky. Throughout your shift, be careful to stay vigilant about safety.
5. Observe safety instructions and Signage
Observe the instructions and signage for construction safety. During your orientation, these should be conveyed to you (rule number 2).
Your employer is responsible for making sure a risk analysis is done for your activities. Be careful you read it and comprehend it.
For your protection, control measures are put in place. Before you begin, make sure they are set up and functioning properly.
6. Don’t ever work in Dangerous Locations
Ensure the safety of your workspace. Be aware of your surroundings. Be mindful. HSE records show that between 2014–15 and 2018–19, 14% of fatalities in the construction industry were due to items falling or overturning, and 11% were due to being hit by a moving vehicle.
Avoid working at heights without appropriate guardrails or other fall protection measures. Never go into an unsupported trench.
Ensure that you have secure access. Work above crane loads or engage in any other risky activities.
7. Never mess with the Machinery
If something is broken or doesn’t seem right, report it in accordance with rule 7. If you aren’t trained to or aren’t supposed to, don’t try to force something or change something.
Never take down scaffold ties or guardrails. Keep machine guards in place. If you are not qualified to repair faulty equipment, do not try. Never tamper with machinery without permission.
8. Use the Appropriate Tools
No one solution works for everyone. It will be completed more quickly and, most importantly, safely, if the appropriate tool is used.
Before you begin, make sure the equipment is in good shape and safe to use.
On-site, only utilize 110v equipment. Without prior management approval, using 240v equipment is absolutely forbidden.
It will only be utilized in cases when there is no other option for 110v and further safety measures are implemented.
9. Report flaws and close calls
Don’t ignore an issue; instead, disclose it right away to your supervisor. Report any near-misses or incidents by filling out an incident report or just telling your manager. Use whatever system is in place on your website for reporting difficulties.
Only after management has been made aware of the issue can action be taken immediately. Less accidents are likely to happen the faster issues are fixed.
10. If unsure, inquire
Don’t know what to do? or what safe practices to follow? Or do you believe something is off? pause your work to ask.
It only takes five minutes to verify, but if something goes wrong, it might not be so simple to fix it. Being safe is preferable to being sorry. Don’t let it be your life; mistakes on building sites can be fatal.
Speak with your supervisor if you require assistance or additional information.
In Summary
Construction sites are vibrant and intriguing places. Although there are numerous activities going on, it is important to pay attention to your surroundings.
Being aware of the activity going on around you lowers the possibility of mishaps. Communication is also required in order to alert managers and team leaders to potential dangers.
