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SECURING THE WORKSITE

Workers bringing an apparently long, stressful day to a close have just about one immediate thought in mind: Drop the work gear and hurry on out of the workplace and head on home where the irksome supervisor is thankfully a world away, until tomorrow.

So off they go hardly paying attention to the  state of the worksite. Is it safe for their inevitable return tomorrow? Are tools and surplus material stowed away properly, away from natural elements so they can safely be redeployed or put to use tomorrow without much ado?

Are hazard control systems like the permit-to-work duly signed off with the end-of-day work status notes accurately documented to aid safe worksite re-entry come tomorrow or in the overriding pressure to be the first through the gate some minor but safety critical details have been overlooked, under stated or simply glossed over?

Is equipment or machinery that should be switched off switched off? Are relevant warning signs posted where they are supposed to be posted? Is waste and other workplace debris collected and removed to designated holding area for eventual safe evacuation? Have those in charge given the entire site the "All Clear" before shutting down for the night?

Leaving the worksite safely secured at the end of each day (or shift) is key to safe re-opening the next day or next time around. Accidents have been known to occur in the past because the worksite was left in an unsafe and secure manner the previous day or time. In fact the state of some worksites can best be described as booby-traps, that is, totally unsafe for re-entry.

It is the site management's duty to ensure things are left in a safe, fit and proper state so that re-opening or re-entry does not constitute an undue exposure to people, equipment and the environment as well as to immediate neighbours outside your boundary fence. To leave the worksite safe and secure is the best you can do to guarantee a safe and secure re-entry devoid of nasty surprises the next time around.

Remember that accidents don't just happen they are caused.

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