SITE MANAGEMENT

Certificate IV in Building and Construction: Site Management

Certificate IV in Building and Construction: Site Management

Introduction

This report presents the activities involved in demolishing an existing building in a large block, and building a 3-bed cottage with an in-ground swimming pool. The report describes the activities and relevant code of practice as applicable to the construction industry in Australia.

Demolition Activities

As the project has to begin with demolition, the employer, the team leaders and the labor will first have to look at the hazards of the demolition process. At times, the demolition process can result in loss of human lives, if not executed properly. To lower the risk associated with the demolishing process, it is recommended that the process must be executed following the regulatory guidelines. For ensuring the workplace environment safe from deaths, injuries and other hazards, the project team will have to strictly follow the guidelines provided by the Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. This section of the report describes major demolition activities and the applicable NOHSC regulations and guidelines.

Site Survey

Before starting the demolishing activities, the site managers must survey the premises for anything that may cause hazards for health or property. The commonly considered hazardous materials include flammable, potentially explosive materials. Before starting the demolition process, it is mandatory to remove such materials safely from the site, following the standard and proper disposal procedures.

In addition to other hazardous materials, Asbestos and asbestos containing products are highly prohibited by the Australian regulations. Asbestos or relevant products are considered as dangerous substances, and therefore need complete removal before demolishing any existing building. For the demolishing project under consideration, the site managers will need to inspect the building for asbestos products. If found, these products must be removed following, the guidelines of Codes of Practice for the safe removal of Asbestos (NOHSC: 3003, 2005). This code helps the site managers to control the risks that may cause on workplace due to the presence of Asbestos containing products. Also, the government provides the laboratories and analysts with the guide on membrane filter method. This guide helps in consistent analysis of the asbestos materials found at the construction sites.

Continuous exposure to certain construction and demolishing materials may cause severe health effects on employees. Most of the employees involved in construction activities suffer from serious diseases, such as respiration issues. Australian government therefore, provides the guidelines for exposure to the atmospheric contaminants (NOHSC:1003, 1995). These guidelines help the employees by lowering the airborne concentration of hazardous materials in the breathing zone, up to the level that these materials may not cause adverse health effects. The guidelines describe the legal duration of exposures to certain hazardous materials. Also, there are guidelines for controlling the continuous exposure to ionizing radiations that may cause skin and blood diseases (NOHSC: 3022, 1995).

Design Safety Plans

Before starting the demolishing process, the site manager must provide the team members and all the present personnel with the safety equipment such as respirators, safety masks, ear plugs and ...