Page 22 - Safety and health in construction

3. Safety of workplaces

3.1. General provisions

3.1.1. All appropriate precautions should be taken:
(a) to ensure that all workplaces are safe and without risk of injury to the safety and
health of workers;
(b) to protect persons present at or in the vicinity of a construction site from all risks
which may arise from such site.

3.1.2. All openings and other areas likely to pose danger to workers should be
clearly indicated.

3.2. Means of access and egress

3.2.1. Adequate and safe means of access to and egress from all workplaces
should be provided, indicated where appropriate and maintained in a safe condition.

3.3. Housekeeping

3.3.1. A suitable housekeeping programme should be established and
continuously implemented on each construction site which should include provisions
for:
(a) the proper storage of materials and equipment;

(b) the removal of scrap, waste and debris at appropriate intervals.

3.3.2. Loose materials which are not required for use should not be placed or
allowed to accumulate on the site so as to obstruct means of access to and egress from
workplaces and passageways.

3.3.3. Workplaces and passageways that are slippery owing to ice, snow, oil or
other causes should be cleaned up or strewn with sand, sawdust, ash or the like.

3.4. Precautions against the fall of materials and persons,
and collapse of structures

3.4.1. Adequate precautions should be taken such as the provision of fencing,
look-out men or barriers to protect any person who might be injured by the fall of
materials, or tools or equipment being raised or lowered.

3.4.2. Where necessary to prevent danger, guys, stays or supports should be used
or other effective precautions should be taken to prevent the collapse of structures or

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