Civil construction is at the core of any country's development. After all, every country needs roads, bridges, drainage systems, railways and ports to grow economically. Safety is an essential element of any civil construction project. Below is an extensive guide detailing the safety measures to consider during civil construction. 

Conduct Preliminary Assessments

Preliminary assessments help you determine the site risks. For instance, geological surveys help determine the soil structure and the presence of underground resources such as aquifers, hot gases and toxic substances. The soil structure significantly impacts the building process. For example, you could use reinforced materials when building on weak soils. Alternatively, you could decide to conduct deep excavations to get rid of unstable soils. You must also assess the topography. It is especially so when building infrastructure such as road and rail systems whose functionality is affected by slopes and running water. 

What are the area's weather patterns? Heavy rains and flooding could affect construction work. Therefore, conduct a weather forecast to establish when best to execute the construction work. Preliminary studies also include environmental impact assessments. For instance, what is the impact of construction work on biodiversity? Contractors must consider interventions that help restore biodiversity. For example, they could replant trees after completing a construction project that involved the felling of trees. 

Initiate Site Safety

Site safety is at the core of any civil construction project. As a best practice, site engineers should inform the construction crew of the prevailing site risks. They should also create site safety protocols to prevent accidents at the site. For instance, all personnel should wear safety gear when working. Moreover, all equipment should be operated by trained personnel. These measures go a long way in helping maintain a safety culture at the site. The contractors should also create traffic plans to prevent vehicular collisions at the site. Construction signage is a vital aspect of any construction site. It makes everyone aware of risks and the required safety procedures. For instance, a site barricade prevents unauthorised individuals from accessing the site. Signage could warn people of dangerous materials, falling objects, live wiring, and flammable gasses. 

The contractor must pull all stops to ensure that construction equipment is in excellent condition. For instance, plant equipment should be serviced on time to prevent systemic failures that could cause accidents. All equipment should undergo daily inspections to identify defects that could be a recipe for disaster. For instance, a failing hydraulic pump could cause an excavator to topple. Finally, the contractors should ensure that the operators do not exceed the plant equipment load limits.

For more information, contact a company such as GBM Consulting Services Pty Ltd.

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