On-site security for safe working in construction

Wherever possible employees should be 2metres apart or, if this isn’t practical, 1metre with measures to reduce the risks. This includes when people are arriving and leaving work as well as while they are at work and travelling between sites. 

 

With on-site security support you can manage rotas for staggered working hours to reduce the number of people at entrances and exits. Another alternative would be to have more site entrances, but this will bring different security issues that would also need to be managed. 

 

To control where people are going while they are on site, you can create a pass system that your security team can supervise; logging how many people are in an area at once. You might also need to introduce one-way systems on walkways around the site and make sure people respect these requirements. 

 

Your security team can also provide reminders for people to maintain distancing and to work back to back or side by side if they need to work more closely together. 

 

Since social distancing applies to all parts of the workplace on-site supervision could also include staff access to break areas, site offices and toilets. Break times might also need to be staggered and safely managed. 

 

If your site is large your employees might need transport to move around. Reducing the number of people using on-site vehicles such as shuttle buses can help to maintain social distancing. Sanitising routines for the vehicles will also need to be checked. 

 

Throughout the working day most sites will have multiple visits from contractors and suppliers. Ideally you should have a record of everyone who visits your site. 

 

You will need to make sure that all visitors follow social distancing guidance and only access those parts of the site that are essential for them to complete their jobs. 

 

If visitors need to report to the site office, this will need to be managed so that the number of people inside is controlled. You will also want to make sure that they follow hand washing requirements when entering and leaving. 

 

Accidents and incidents are not uncommon on construction sites. This could include injuries, fire, electrical, chemical and environmental risks. In these circumstances it will be important to make well-judged decisions about how to keep everyone safe and whether social distancing requirements can be followed. 

 

Your on-site security team will be trained how to respond calmly and positively to emergency situations. You can brief them about your own emergency procedures as well. 

 

They will also be able to advise you on any additional security risks that might result from the changes you have made to your working practices. They can also make suggestions about how to minimise them.