Construction Site Cleanup Safety Tips
No matter the size or scope of the job, from converting a closet into a laundry room, to building a room addition, to constructing an entire home or building, safety is critical. Even on small projects, there will likely be electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, and more on-site at different times. So, it’s necessary to keep the area free of clutter for as long as possible and to be organized when debris is piling-up.To some people, the word “housekeeping” calls to mind cleaning floors and surfaces, removing dust, and organizing clutter. But in a work setting, it means much more. Housekeeping is crucial to safe workplaces. It can help prevent injuries and improve productivity and morale, as well as make a good first impression on visitors… —Safety and Health Magazine.comOrganization is key to not only being safe, but also, to progress the project forward. It’s all too easy to “lose” materials and tools during the build-out phase, even during finishing. So, be prepared and have dedicated spaces for every aspect of the job to keep coordinated to make it run a bit more smoothly. Here are some helpful construction site cleanup safety tips to follow on the job:
- Put all like debris together. As you go through the project, there will be a lot of debris generated and not all of it will eventually go in the same place for disposal or recycling. To keep the site organized and more safe, put like debris together until it’s time to haul away.
- Keep tools and materials organized. Construction tools and materials are essential to work and these need to be easily accessible. Keep tools and materials organized by putting them in dedicated spaces where they are not mixed or near debris.
- Store hazardous materials safely. There’s no getting around the dangers of hazardous materials and it’s best to keep these under lock and key. If that’s not feasible, put hazardous materials in a restricted space so only the right people have access.
- Ensure everyone on-site wears safety gear. There is always a danger of fire, bodily injury, and more unfortunate occurrences on a construction site. Everyone who is visiting or working on-site should always wear safety gear.
- Secure the site against trespassing. Far too many accidents happen to people who are not supposed to be on-site. Secure the entire area against trespassing with fencing or another barrier and/or locks, if possible.