On any construction site, there is an obligation to provide appropriate and adequate welfare facilities, as well as to ensure you have the correct equipment to meet all legislative requirements. So when it comes to equipping your construction site, ideally you want a provider who can fulfil your every requirement, companies such as Garic Ltd: Suppliers of Specialised Plant & Welfare Facilities, are perfectly placed to meet your needs.
What do you need, and why?
It is worth remembering that every construction site is different, and therefore the requirements for each differ as well. For example, if you’re on a mobile site, working on rail or road infrastructure, static welfare and site equipment are far from ideal as you will likely need to move them several times throughout the course of your project.
In this instance, opting for mobile equipment, such as welfare vans and mobile fuel tanks is much more convenient, you can simply drive or tow them along with you as you move.
What products do you need?
Self Contained Welfare Units
Here the key consideration is to ensure that the welfare facilities you provide are adequate for the staff you have.
Consider things like how many workers or subcontractors will be working on the site on an average day. If there is no access to utilities such as water and electricity, you will need to add a reliable source of each in order to power your welfare facilities.
Required welfare facilities include, but are not limited to:
- Well maintained toilets (either chemical or with an effective means of flushing water);
- Drinking water (an adequate supply and conveniently located);
- Rest facilities;
- Heating (where required);
- Changing rooms and lockers (if workers are required to change clothing).
The welfare provisions provided should allow workers to take an adequate break from work, be protected from the elements, and maintain an appropriate level of hygiene.
Site Accommodation & Modular Buildings
Again here the type and amount of accommodation and modular buildings you require will depend on the type of site you are working on. If the buildings are going to be on-site for less than 28 days, no planning permission is required, however, if you are working on a longer-term project you will be required to obtain planning permission for your accommodation and modular buildings.
If your workers are going to be staying on-site, appropriate accommodation is required, if not, then sleeping accommodation is not required. You should also consider whether the site manager needs an office or not, and how many of each type of room is needed. For example, HSE guidelines state that for 25 people, 2 toilets and hand basins are needed, and if there are female employees on-site, they must have separate washing and toilet facilities.
Fuel Bowsers & Water Tanks
If you have a site that is located with mains water access, then water tanks are not required. However, on more remote or mobile sites, you will need water tanks in order to supply water to the welfare facilities, and other equipment such as wheel washes.
Even on the most environmentally friendly site, fuel tanks are a must, even if they are only there as a backup for solar power. Keeping your machinery topped up with on-site fuel storage is an excellent way to minimise downtime and boost productivity.
Site Tower Lights & Construction Site Lighting Products
Site lighting towers offer a practical and safe method of lighting your site, whether for day work during the winter months, security purposes at night or employee safety at all times.
Modern LED technology is the most popular method of lighting construction sites, as they offer energy saving benefits, as well as illuminating an area with little to no warm up time.
Wheel Washing Facilities & Related Products
Wheel washing not only helps to keep your fleet vehicles clean and professional; this practice is also a legislative requirement at many sites, particularly those in residential areas.
If you need to cater for a moderate amount of traffic, we recommend a Drive-Through Bath. For sites with more stringent environmental needs, there are options that recycle the water, separating the debris and dirt before reusing the water.
Dust Control & Dust Suppression Product
Dust control is a key element of site management wherever particles may enter the air. From waste disposal facilities to construction and demolition sites, dust suppression products help to contain dust spread. As particles can cause loss of visibility and even lasting damage to health, it is imperative to be compliant with all current site regulations.
Dust bowsers and dust cannons effectively safeguard workers and ensure legislative compliance. Ideally, you want models that are fully mobile, helping you to manoeuvre them precisely where needed to suppress microparticles effectively.
Construction Shelters for Workers and Equipment
Site shelters should be provided for personnel and equipment where required. The ability to get out of the elements when on-site is essential when it comes to maintaining a happy workforce.
Additionally, storing equipment somewhere dry is critical to correctly maintaining it and ensuring that it performs correctly.
Robust & Reliable Power Generation Hardware
Electric power is the lifeblood of all sites, whether it’s powering electronic devices, power tools, lighting or other site equipment. Having high quality, robust and reliable power generation equipment is essential to ensuring you have a steady supply of power throughout the duration of your project.
There is a wide range of generators, which should be designed with durability and ease-of-use in mind. Different models will deliver a different degree of power. While hybrid models offer a cleaner and quieter energy solution.
For more information on anything you need to know about supplying your construction site with plant, site, and welfare equipment, contact today.