Visits To Building, Construction and Manfacturing Sites: Instructions for Students
Health and Safety Requirements
Non compliance with University procedures can potentially invalidate the insurance cover otherwise provided for the student's participation in University course related activities. Students are required to undertake the following health and safety measures:
- Site and Safety Lecture
Students must attend a Faculty "Field Trips and Site Safety Procedures" presentation held at the commencement of the course. Students will not be permitted to attend site visits unless they have attended this lecture or viewed the presentation online (550kb pdf). - Medical form
All students must complete the Medical Questionnaire form (40kb pdf). This form should be completed at the beginning of the course and updated as required and handed directly into the Student Centre. - Personal Protective Equipment
All students must have their own hard hats, safety boots and visibility vests to wear when required during site visits and fieldwork.
Student Construction Site Visits Without A Staff Member Present
- Type of Visit
Students either individually or in groups may be required to attend sites unaccompanied by staff members as part of their subject program. These visits may occur on a regular basis over the semester. - Authorisation
Students must contact the site manager/principal contractor to gain permission to visit the site. It may be useful to present a copy of the assignment handout sheet. The site manager must be given a clear indication as to the purpose of the site visit(s). - Insurance Letter
"Insurance Cover for Students on Site Visits" letters are available from the Student Centre. Students are to obtain these letters only if requested by a contractor/site manager to gain access to a construction site.
- Site Protocol
- Arrival: On each and every visit, the students must report to the site manager or foreperson to gain permission to enter the site on that specific day.
- Departure: Students must report back to the site manager or foreperson on departure.
- Vacant Sites: No student is to be alone on site. If there are no builder's representatives and/or tradespeople on site (vacant), then access is prohibited.
- Instructions: Students must follow any instructions given to them whilst on site from the builder's representative, tradesperson or other construction staff member.
- Photographs On-Site: Seek permission before taking photographs on-site.
Safety Procerdures For All Site Visits
- Resonsibility
- Moral Obligation: Safety is the legal and moral responsibility of everyone on a construction site or external location. While this is a guide to safety, obviously all aspects of safety cannot be covered: it's up to you to think before you act.
- Avoiding Accidents: Accidents can be avoided by concentrating and thinking before you act. Many accidents are caused by acting on impulse and taking shortcuts.
- Clothing
- Footwear: Steel capped safety boots are compulsory. Thongs, sandshoes, gymboots or similar types of footwear are not permissible on site.
- Hard Hats: Wear safety helmets in areas nominated as Hard Hat zones.
- Loose Clothing: Do not wear loose clothing.
- Bags: Bags must be left in the site office.
- Visibility: Wear visibility vests when requested to do so.
- Moving Around the Site
- Barricades: Do not lean over or go beyond any protective handrails or barricades.
- Floor Openings: Be careful where you walk. Pay attention to floor openings, barriers, protective covers and changes in floor levels.
- Access: Use correct access at all times.
- Restricted Areas: Keep out of restricted areas.
- Movement: Running on any part of the site is prohibited. Never walk backwards in a construction area. Do not jump from equipment, platforms or scaffolds. Do not stand or walk under any loads being lifted.
- Ladders: Only one person shall use a ladder at a time.
- Weather: Beware of slippery surfaces (particularly after or during rain). Be careful in windy weather.
- Behaviour On-Site: Never fool around or play practical jokes. Restrict communication with tradespeople. Alcohol, drugs and smoking are not permitted on site.
- Traffic: Be aware of moving equipment and vehicles. Traffic rules should be obeyed and strict attention should be paid to all warning signs at all times.
- Protection
- Back protection: Do not lift anything on site.
- Eye Protection: Do not look at welding flames.
- Hearing Protection: Ear protection should be worn if required.
- Electric Shock: Do not touch any electrical appliances or temporary power leads