3.

Site Clearing
Clearing is the first operation to be
Carried out once the detailed road
Alignment has been established. It
Consists of the removal and disposal of
all bush, trees, roots, boulders as well
as grass and topsoil. It also consists of all
Preparatory activities before excavation
and fill works commence for the road
formation and drainage structures. Clearing is carried out covering the entire width of the road plus the
space required for drainage and side slopes. This activity is also required before any borrow pits or
quarries can be effectively utilized. Finally, clearing works are necessary when establishing a site camp.
When the road is set out, it is important to find an alignment that minimizes the damage to the
surroundings. Often, the least damage is done when the road alignment remains along the existing track
or trail where the land has already been set aside for transport purposes. It may also imply that it is better
to take the road around a group of trees farmlands, a rocky section or a small hill instead of going
straight through it. Still, when upgrading existing tracks to properly engineered roads, there is often a
need for additional land along the alignment in order to accommodate for the full width of the road and
its drainage structures.

Equally, there may be a demand for improving the road alignment by adjusting its curvature or for
avoiding difficult terrain. Such decisions may require access to privately owned land already in use for
other economic activities. Before work activities commence, it is necessary to resolve all land use issues.
Compensation may also have to be paid for damaged crops or trees, so the clearing of cultivated land
should be limited to the extent possible. If it is necessary to remove crops or trees, the owners need to be
given adequate advanced notice so they have the possibility to harvest the crops before commencing
clearing works. All trees, crops and other assets removed belong to the original owner and should be
made available to him/her without delay. It is important that the supervisor keep a record of all crops
removed in case claims for compensation arise later on. Similarly, if fences have to be removed along
the road, the owner should be notified in advance, and given time to make alternative arrangements, e.g.
seeking alternative grazing land. Resolving compensation issues are the responsibility of the project
management and have to be sorted out before the construction starts.
3.1 Bush Clearing
Bush clearing consists of cutting and
removing bushes and shrubs within
the road reserve. It is carried out as the
first work activity when constructing a
road, normally scheduled to take place
just before the earthworks commence.
If it is done too far in advance, the bush
grows back and the exercise needs to be
repeated. Some bush clearing may also
be required during the surveying works

in order to provide access and clear

sightlines for the surveyors.
Bush clearing is essentially carried out
using mechanized equipments such as dozer and front loader. Since these equipments are very
expensive, they should be used efficiently and effectively without being idle.
The bush should be disposed of well
outside the roadway or stacked in a
cleared area for burning. Removed
bush and debris should be discarded at
locations from where it cannot return
to the road reserve and so blocking
drains and cross-drainage structures.
Heavy grass turf can later be used to line
side slopes in cross cut sections or on
embankments, and should be separated
from the soil to be used for other
construction purposes.
When properly
placed the turf will start growing again,
and form a good protection against
erosion on the slopes and shoulders.
Bush clearing is also a common activity
when carrying out road maintenance
works. However, there are some important
differences between construction and
maintenance works. When clearing bush
before earthworks activities, all organic
materials need to be removed, while in
most cases of road maintenance works,
the bush clearing activity is limited to
keeping the vegetation short and leaving
the roots and organic materials in place.
When carrying out periodic maintenance
or spot improvement works, it is therefore
important to limit the clearing works to
where earthworks are envisaged. Bush clearing and grubbing activities can be assisted by labors so that
debris and materials removed to be discarded in a proper manner. The use of labour also assist for more
selective bush clearing in which larger trees can be secured when located outside the road formation or
where the drains are located. Equally, it is easier to separate topsoil from the underlying soils used for
the sub-grade. This allows for the reuse of good topsoil and organic materials as it can be stockpiled
without mixing it with other soil. The end result is that less soil is left to spoil, thus minimizing negative
environmental effects of this activity.
3.2 Tree and Stump Removal
Removing large trees is an expensive
operation, especially when it comes
to digging out the roots. Trees are
often a social amenity providing
shade, fodder or firewood for the local
community. If large trees stand in the

way, realignment should be considered

to avoid them. Trees growing near the
road can have a good effect on the
strength of the road because they can
act as a countermeasure to soil erosion. In hilly terrain, trees protect the exposed faces of cuts against
erosion. Equally, trees can stabilize materials on the fill side. Before cutting down trees outside the
roadway, it is therefore worthwhile considering letting them remain. For trees within the roadway, an
assessment should be made whether it is possible to find technical solutions, which still safeguard the
performance of the road. For example, instead of cutting down a tree standing in the side drain, a
solution may be to install a mitre drain (turnout) in front of the tree and continue the side drains behind
the tree.
Trees outside the roadway can normally
be left, unless there is a danger of
the tree falling when high winds are
blowing. Removing of trees can be performed by dozing equipment simply by cutting the roots and
pushing the tree to the required direction. Care has to be taken that the tree is secured and cannot fall on
the workers as well as any other people or they should be at a safe distance from it
(at least twice the height of the tree).
Deep roots may have to be dug out and
then cut using hand tools like, axes manually. The roots left in
the ground will eventually rot away and
leave holes, which can undermine the
strength of the road. Big roots, stumps or pieces of the tree trunks can be burned after grubbing has been
done (the risk of bush fires is less when grass vegetation have been removed). Felling trees can be
dangerous and should preferably be done always with proper supervision. Once the tree is felled, it is
pushed away or cut into smaller pieces and removed from sit.
3.3 Grubbing
Grubbing consists of removing roots of grass and other light vegetation. It may also include the removal
of topsoil containing considerable amounts of organic material. Roots need to be dug out to a depth that
ensures that the trees or bushes do not continue growing and reappear in the road reserve. If the top soil
consists of the same material as the soil below it, there is no reason to remove it. Topsoil should only be
removed if it appears to contain organic material and small roots. On most sandy soils, the surface can
be left undisturbed. This may help to minimize erosion. On the other hand, if the soil underneath is to be
excavated and dumped outside the road (spoiled), it is not necessary to carry out any grubbing.
3.4 Topsoil Removal
Topsoil removal is usually only needed where the topsoil is deep (10-15cm), very organic and appears to
be inferior in strength than the soil below. If the topsoil layer is very thin, it has very little effect on the
compaction and resulting strength of the road. Most agricultural land and open areas are eroded, with a
very thin topsoil layer, which can be mixed in with the earthworks for the road construction. The
materials removed need to be discarded at a location where it causes no future damage to the road or
surrounding areas. If it is dumped on the high side of the road, it may be washed back into the drainage
system of the road during heavy rains. Equally, it may cause damage to farmlands and residential areas.
Topsoil can often be reused on the slopes next to the road or spread on adjacent farmlands. Similarly,

organic soils can also be used at the end of the project when reinstating borrow pits and gravel quarries.
Topsoil removal is executed using dozer.
Anthills Removal
Anthills need to be removed to the full
depth and treated, to avoid that they
grow back out again. If the ants or
termites continue their activities it may
undermine the stability of the road,
eventually leading to a collapse of the
road formation above the voids created
by the insects. The voids resulting from digging out the ants need to be filled and compacted in layers
similar to the method used for maintaining a pothole.
3.5 Boulder Removal
Some sections of the road may have boulder-strewn hillsides where boulder removal is an added
challenge. When the alignment passes through rocky terrain with large boulders, it may involve
considerable clearing work so it might be easier to re-align the road. This should always be considered
before initiating any major boulder removal works. There are several ways of getting rid of boulders.
Boulders can be removed from the roadway, buried or broken into smaller pieces. The most suitable
method will depend on the size, shape and position of the boulder, available tools and equipment and the
skills of the workers.
The best method to deal with boulders is to move them away from the road alignment using appropriate
equipments and tools. If the volume of the boulder is less than half a cubic meter it can be dug out and
moved using crowbars as levers. If it is not possible to roll them, pieces of rails can be placed under the
boulder to provide a good surface to slide on. For moving bigger boulders winch or a carjack can be
useful. It can also be moved away using dozer with the aid of ripper. With heavy construction
equipment, the removal of heavy rocks are not a major challenge, however, the equipments should be
used efficiently.
4. Planning and Reporting
Clearing works is often dealt with as a
single cover-all activity, including both
removal of vegetation and grubbing,
however, if any of these sub-activities
include excessive amounts of work, it
is necessary to plan and monitor them
separately. Alternatively, the works can
be split into clearing of light, medium
or dense bush and defining trees and
boulders of a certain size as a separate
activity. The project management
will decide on the most appropriate
arrangement during the design and

survey stages. Unless there is extensive

work expected under the individual
activities, there is little advantage to be
gained from over-detailed reporting.
Usually, a cover-all clearing activity gives
sufficient management control.
To simplify measurements of completed
works, the clearing works are measured
in square meters. Inspection is then
limited to verifying that the required
width has been achieved and that there
is no remaining organic material in the
road reserve.

5. Safety
Personal Safety, Working Clothes and shoes
Objectives:-After completing the learning element, the trainee will be able to wear safety working
clothes, shoes and etc in the working place.
Hardhat:-Protects head of the worker from any falling objects dropping from high level during
construction.

Over all:-Protects the normal clothes from dust,

grease and other spilling materials.

Overall cloths

Safety shoe (boot):-Protects the worker

form nail, sharp objects and heavy falling
objects by hard-rolled leather shoes with
metal toecaps.
Non-slip oil resistant shoe

Rubber boot:- Protects the workers feet

from colds, chemical, and mud in the
working area.
Rubber boot

Mask:- Protects eyes of the worker from

other endangering object and dust during
construction.

mask

Goggle: - Protects eyes of the workers

during welding of metal works and when
placing reinforcement in the formwork.
Goggles with safety glass or plastic lenses, heavy duty

Glove:-Protects the workers from oils,

chemicals, and dust and other dangerous
material that affect the skin.

Gloves

Hand Guard: - Protect hands of the

worker while chiseling and hammering. It is

available in different standard sizes of the
chisel handle and designed
for slipping over chisel handles.
Safety Belt:- Secures laborers working in a
plane where the construction is done at high
level.

Safety Belt

Note:- Keep the working clothes in safe

place so that you can change it easily. A
locker should be used so that you can store
your personal material safely while you are
performing your works.

The first task

before you start any construction activity is

follow safety rules and always dress in
safety clothes as shown Figure

Safety protection

Safety of hand tools

Hammerheads should firmly secure to the handle.
Trowel, saws, chisels, and other tools should not be left lying on scaffolds, when not used.
All ropes and chains for lifting should be inspected before use they should not be loaded beyond
the limit recommended by the manufacturer.
Nails or bolts used in construction scaffold should be of adequate size
Sufficient number at each connection to develop the designed strength of structure.
Safety rule in setting out and excavation
The preliminary site works for construction project usually begin after the site facilities are set
up. Clearing the site is essential. First, all Vegetation such as bushes and scrub should be
removed. The roots of trees and bushes must be dug out and cleared away.
The building site and surrounding areas should be inspected for termites as part of the process of
clearing the site.
A constructor will dug trial holes as part of the preliminary site works.
These holes provide information about the best methods of excavation.
Working in site clearing
To work safely, you should always: 1. Wear a hard hat to protect your head in case some thing is accidentally thrown or
dropped in to the hole.
2. Put supports against the sides of the excavation so that the soil cannot fall on you.
Electrical hazards
Because building sites are often wet place, electric shocks are possible. Therefore, it is
important to inspect and check the condition of wiring at regular intervals.

First aid
A construction site should have a first aid box which as minimum contents: Plasters, Bandages, Ointments, Disinfectant.
Someone on site should be in charge of the box and know how to with broken bones,
burns and electric shocks.

6. proper use of tools and equipments

6.1 Maintenance and Repair of Hand Tools
In road construction works the use of tools is inevitable though the construction is equipment intensive.
Therefore, it is necessary to use the tools properly and maintain using appropriate methods like
sharpening. The fine cutting edges of axes, bush knifes
and grass cutters are normally maintained
by sharpening with whetstones.
The edges of earthworks tools, such
as hoes, pickaxes, mattocks, shovels
and spades should be sharpened with a
grinding stone or by filing. The cutting
edge of a hoe or a mattock should
be sharpened on the side facing the
operator of the tool. If the blade has been chipped or pieces broken off, the hoe should not be used until
it is repaired. The repair can be done by cutting or filing off the edges to re-establish a straight edge and
then sharpening it. When the length of the blade is less than 150mm, the hoe is no longer efficient for
digging. However, it can still be useful for other purposes, such as grubbing and leveling works.
The blade of a good shovel will not
bend or crack but will wear. The edge
of the blade will eventually be so worn
that it becomes blunt and for this
reason difficult to push into the soil. To
improve the worn blade it can be cut
and sharpened so that the shovel can

be used effectively again. This requires

very strong tools and should be done in
a workshop. For saws, small triangular shaped files with a side about twice the depth of the teeth are
appropriate for sharpening. Bow saws are easier to deal with as the blades can be replaced. Axe blades
are best sharpened using a grindstone and files. The axe is fixed to a vice, to allow for the use of both
hands when using a file for sharpening. File into the edge, toward the centre of the axe handle, as this
creates the least amount of burr to remove on the other side.
After reshaping the blade edge, the final sharpening is carried out using a whetstone. When applied by
skilled workers, this final process puts a razor sharp edge on the blade. Finally, it is useful to coat the
blade with oil or wax to protect it from rusting. When axes and other tools used for earthworks have
been severely blunted, it may be necessary to grind a new cutting edge. A manual or treadle operated
grinding wheel, which is continuously moistened with water, is the best tool when axes, mattocks,
pickaxes, bush knifes and similar tools need major reshaping works. Avoid using electric grinders, as it
will most probably draw the temper from the steel, leaving it too soft to hold an edge. A grinding wheel
is slow enough to avoid removing too much and as long as it is moistened with water, maintains cool
temperatures. If a grinding wheel is not available, the sharpening should be carried out using files. Light
sharpening can be carried out with the tool held in the hand, but removal of heavier burrs is best done
with the assistance of a workbench and a vice. A whetstone is used to provide the final sharpness to the
edge. It is useful to equip bush clearing gangs with a whetstone so they can maintain the sharpness of
their cutting tools while they are in the field.
Using Files
Files for sharpening tools come with a
single or a double cut pattern. A single cut
file has one set of parallel teeth with
an angle of 60 to 80 degrees _from the
edge. Double-cut files have two series of
parallel teeth set 45 degrees to each other.
The double-cut file is used for restoring
the shape of an edge, while the single-cut
file is used for the final finishing work.
Rounded blades require files with a round
surface. In general, it is more effective to
use large files, however, some tools, such
as saws, need smaller files to fit into the
grooves of the blade. Files only sharpen on the push stroke. It should be lifted away from the surface on
the return stroke. When applying a sawing motion with the file, it will fill with metal particles and not
cut well. Files should be protected from each other and other tools when stored and transported
Storage
Tools are issued to the workers every
morning by the storekeeper, and returned
in the afternoon after completion of
works. The supervisors need to ensure

that the workers are issued the correct

type of tools according to the work
activities they will be carrying out. The
storekeeper is responsible for keeping
full records of the tools and controlling
the issue of tools to the workers. The
total number of tools on site needs to be
counted and reported regularly back to
project management. The size of the store depends on the quantity of tools to be stored. When the work
site is very isolated, the store has to be well stocked and will therefore be larger. Tools should be stored
in a dry and secure place. They should be stacked neatly so that they can easily be counted. Stack
different items and items of different sizes separately. Employ a watchman to guard the stores when the
storekeeper is off duty.

6.2 Proper Use of Equipments

Mechanized equipments are the result of modern technology and they are widely being used in the
construction industry in general and in road construction in particular. The application of the outcome of
this technology that is using the equipment has highly facilitated the development of construction sector.
Though the usage of the has made easy of construction activity, their ownership as well as maintenance
is very expensive. Therefore, an efficient and effect utilization of the equipment is a crucial factor that
determines profitability of the construction companies and timely completion of construction projects.
The following equipments are mainly used in road construction especially in gravel road construction:
Excavators
Dozers
Loaders
Graders
Rollers
Water trucks
Dump trucks
Lobed, et