A construction site can become hazardous and dangerous the moment safety measures are ignored. A construction site poses several dangers, which leaves us wondering – how can we keep the construction sites safe? Open ditches, sharp metal rods, iron sheets, and large logs can cause injuries to people and pose risks to vehicles and machinery when left exposed. Putting temporary fencing around a construction site is one of the first safety measures that you should take.
Fencing will fend off trespassers from accessing the building site and also provide security for the construction materials. Those trespassing the site can easily be injured, and that can lead to a legal tussle. Fencing of the construction site is a mandatory requirement in most places hence it is necessary to avoid potential legal actions against you.
Factors to consider when doing temporary fencing
When placing temporary fencing around your construction site, it is important to evaluate issues that are pertinent to maximum safety. When you are aware of the crucial factors, you will be able to use the appropriate fencing material around the construction site and put up a fence that is of quality at an affordable budget. Here are some of the factors that are essential to consider when constructing the temporary barrier.
Site area
One of the important factors that you should consider is the size, or the dimension, of the construction site. With the exact area that requires fencing, you will be able to budget appropriately. You will also find the right type of fence that will adequately provide the much-needed safety around your site. Without having the correct area that requires fencing, you can probably choose a barrier that will stretch your budget beyond your projection. It is, therefore, vital to have the measurements of the area that require fencing from the word go.
Ensure traffic safety
Another important thing that you should consider is security of the fence in regards to the pedestrians and motor traffic. This factor is crucial when the site is near a public road or a walking path. The material you use should not interfere with the smooth flow of traffic along the road or cause harm to the pedestrians using the road near your construction site. The fence should not impede a clear vision to the road signs or the traffic lights. The gates should also swing inwards to avoid interfering with the free movement of those using the road. The fence should be erected 1.5 meters away from the road to avoid eating into the space of the public facility. Safety signs should also be hung on the fence to warn motorists of the possible dangers of the construction site.
Loading space
When putting up a fence on a working site, it is essential to take account of the cargo area for the vehicles delivering building materials to the site. The type of fencing you use should leave a spacious access point to accommodate free entry and departure of large trucks from the site.
Types of temporary fences to use
Since the fence is temporary, the material used in setting up the barrier should be easy to handle when putting up and taking down the fence. The site should not, therefore, be fenced using the expensive or hefty material. It should be simple, with the purpose of preventing unauthorised or unintentional access to the construction site. There are various types of fences that you can use for construction site safety and here are some of the best choices.
Wire mesh fencing
One of the most widely used types of fencing around construction sites for safety is wire mesh. Wire mesh is preferred for a couple of reasons, including its effectiveness in keeping away intruders and trespassers due to the strong and durable properties. It is also easy to erect since it is light and easy to handle. The poles used with the fence are lightweight and portable, meaning that they do not require a lot of work when setting up the fence. Wire mesh can be erected using panels or pounded posts.
Barricades
Barricades are also used on the construction sites to provide safety. The barricades hinder people from using the enclosed site and this helps reduce accidents. They also serve to make people aware of the potential dangers around the site enclosure. Barricades are useful when the construction method does not pose a lot of threat to those close to the site. Barricades are portable, and they can be moved from one position to another depending with the need. They are mostly used in road construction to control flow of people and vehicles along the way.
Pounded post chain link
This kind of fence is more permanent since the posts get cemented in the ground. This is reliable and efficient in barring intruders while limiting potentials accident on the construction site. It is durable and allows water to flow from the site. It is quick to set up since the hardest part is pounding the poles in the ground. Furthermore, it is effective in keeping out debris from the site.
Panel chain link
The board chain is different from the post chain link in that, the panels used do not get pounded to the ground. This kind of fence is portable and easy to set up. The fence can be taken down and moved from one point to another hence it is very convenient for construction sites. They are easy to set up, take apart, and relocate. As such, it is one of the most effective fences for construction sites.
It is important to secure a construction site to avoid injuries and destruction of property. When securing the site, you should conduct a survey to analyse the needs that will make the fence more secure and appropriate for use. An open site can become a problem to the public safety, an easy target for burglary as well as an eyesore to the neighbourhood. It is, therefore, important and safe to have it fenced.