SAFETY AND SECURITY FENCING

FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AT SCHOOLS

SITE-SPECIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT (SSRA)
The principal contractor (builder) should complete this SSRA before starting work, and keep a copy on file.

SCOPE OF WORKS Construction at Schools

COMPANY DATE / / TIME

SITE (SCHOOL) ADDRESS

PERSON COMPLETING THIS
SIGNATURE
ASSESSMENT (Print)

PART 1
It is advisable that you carry out a risk assessment for the security for your construction site, and any fencing requirements you may need to achieve the
level of necessary security.
This checklist will help you to determine if you need safety and security fencing and the details of the construction any required fencing.

If you tick ‘yes’ to any question, you may need to install fencing.

KNOWN HAZARDS AND POTENTIAL RISKS Yes No

Is the site near to other residential buildings where children may play out of site working hours?

Is the site near to local schools or routes that children may take home?

Are there excavations or confined spaces on site – eg open trenches, utilities, pier holes or swimming pools?

Are there any impaling materials left on site – eg reo bars, nails in timber or form work materials?

Is there a potential for collapse – eg of concrete formwork or battered areas of soil from site cuts?

Are there deliveries of building materials to site?

Is there a potential for the public to be hit by falling objects related to the construction process on the site?

Is the public exposed to high-risk construction work, or plant and equipment?

Is there a potential for construction building debris (including wind blown debris) to leave the site – ie inadequate waste
containment?
Is there a potential for unauthorised access on this site by any individuals?
Consider access:
• to hazardous materials
• to plant and materials
• overnight or when the site is unsupervised
• by climbing over the existing fence
• by crawling under the existing fence (particularly for Infant’s Departments)
• to electricity or services
• to scaffolding, upper storey floor levels, ladders or penetrations
• to dedicated construction site amenities
Is there a potential for inadequate management of plant, equipment, building materials and workers at construction site?
Consider:
• arrival / departure of plant, equipment and material onto the construction site and impact of school activities
• parking arrangements for workers in and around school zones
• movement and operation of plant within construction site and impact on school activities ie dust and noise
• the impact of drop offs and pick ups of school children around the construction site

Are there any other hazards on site that need to be isolated?

If you tick ‘yes’ to any question but choose not to install fencing, explain here how you will secure the site:
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Note:
Consider installing safety signage – eg ‘Danger – excavation’ or ‘Danger – no unauthorised access’.
If it is not practical for you to use safety and security fencing (eg if space is restricted or the fencing itself could pose an additional hazard), you may be
able to barricade off a danger area with a suitable hi-visibility mesh barrier, using 1.0–1.2 m high star posts.

Version 1 August 2009

 PART 2
This checklist will help you to ensure that your fencing meets health and safety requirements.
If you tick ‘no’ to any question, you need to address the issue before starting work.
(Only fill out part 2 if you are using fencing on your site – if not, proceed to part 3.)

CRITERIA FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY FENCING Yes No

Is the fencing constructed from suitable, dedicated materials with no holes or gaps?

Are the fencing panels difficult to climb?

Is access under or through the fence prevented during the construction period?

As a result of your risk assessment, is there a need for shade cloth to be affixed to the fence,

If yes, is the extent and condition of the shade cloth satisfactory?

Is fencing erected on a firm foundation throughout the construction process?

Is the fencing installed on level ground – ie a lean of less than 3 degrees out of vertical?

Is the fence erected in a general straight line within the site boundary?

If you have temporary fencing, is it erected within the boundaries of the construction site?
(If fencing protrudes onto public areas, you need permission from the council, and may need to install handrails, etc.)

Are electrical turrets external to the installed fence?

Is fencing stable and able to withstand any anticipated loads to which it will be subjected – including wind loads, persons
attempting to scale it, forces caused by people in heavy pedestrian areas or impact forces from vehicles or plant?

Is fencing installed in line with the designer’s, manufacturer’s and supplier’s instructions and specifications?

Are adequate support brackets installed – especially if shade cloth, signage or advertisements are installed on any section of
the fencing?

Are all fence fittings – including clamps – installed securely, with the nuts on the inside for added security?

Do fencing gates provide the same level of security as the rest of the fence? (Locks and chains should be fitted for added site
security and safety.)

Are gates overlapped so they can be locked easily, and are they reasonably level for opening safely?

Does signage on the fence include relevant information – including 24 hour emergency contact name and telephone numbers,
and the name of the builder?
Are all fencing panels handled safely and stored in the flat (horizontal) position?
Is the fence regularly inspected (weekly, dependant on the work and activities undertaken on site) to ensure it is safe, secure
and still fit for purpose?
Are designated access / aggress points supervised / managed in terms of arrival / departure of plant, equipment and material
onto the construction site?
Are workers aware of designated work zones/ pathways within site?
Are workers aware of designated parking places and designated access / egress points?
Note:
Your safety and security fencing must comply with the appropriate Australian Standard.
• For demolition sites, refer to AS 2601 Demolition of structures.
• For construction sites, refer to AS 4687 Temporary fencing and hoardings.
• For ongoing site safety and security, refer to AS 1725 Chain-link fabric security fencing and gates.
Fencing can only be removed from the site when all hazards, including site waste, have been removed.

PART 3
This will enable you to provide evidence of your site-specific risk assessment and control measures.
• Identify all health and safety hazards on the site.
• For each hazard, rate the risk (1–6) and list the control measures you have taken to reduce the risk.
• Ensure that the revised risk level is 4–6 before you start work.
POSSIBLE RISK OF A HAZARD Very likely Likely Unlikely Very unlikely
Death or permanent disability 1 1 2 3
Long term illness or serious injury 1 2 3 4
Medical attention or days off work 2 3 4 5
First aid needed 3 4 5 6
Risk Revised risk
Hazard identified (1–6) Controls implemented By whom (4–6)

Version 1 August 2009