A GUIDE TO SAFETY AND HEALTH

AT CONSTRUCTION SITES
MNACI – Maldives National Association of Construction Industry
 Welcome

Dear Users,

I would like to welcome all the users of the first edition of the handbook on
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Maldives National
Construction Industry published by Maldives National Association of
Construction Industry (MNACI).
This guide has been prepared to assist all employers, workers and clients in the
construction industry in the Maldives in terms of the required standards
that should be followed in our industry. As there is no specific Act towards
Occupational Health and Safety in the Maldives still, MNACI took this initiative to
encourage our industry stakeholders to practice our own standards till
such an Act comes into place. In fact it is my fervent hope that these guidelines
would ultimately help towards getting the Maldivian Parliament to endorse an Act
on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Maldives that would cover
the health and safety standards in various industries in the Maldives.
I would like to thank the Executive Board of MNACI for supporting and endorsing
this project initiated by me and I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to
our Executive Board Member Mr.Fayaz Mansoor for helping us prepare this
handbook within a very short period of time. I am pleased to note that MNACI has
taken the lead in publishing the guidelines on Health and Safety to our
industry and it is my wish that all other industries would also follow our
lead in the respective areas of work.
I am confident that these guidelines would be practiced widely at all the
worksites in the Maldives which will thus help our goal of achieving and
creating a better work environment for everyone!

Thank you.

Mohamed Ali Janah

President
Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI)

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 CONTENTS

Introduction ..................................................... 4
Definitions ........................................................ 4
General duties of employers ............................... 5
Emergency response plan................................... 6
Site safety supervisor ........................................ 6
Public safety ..................................................... 7
Personal Protective Equipment ............................ 8
Hoarding .......................................................... 9
Avoiding exposure ............................................. 9
Working at heights over 3 meters ....................... 10
Perimeter of working, platforms or places of work . 11
Working on roofs ............................................... 12
Ladders............................................................ 14
Scaffolding ....................................................... 15
Electrical supply ................................................ 17
Temporary supply switchboards .......................... 18
Inspection of equipment..................................... 18
Clearance from power lines ................................ 18
Safe use of chemicals ........................................ 19
Asbestos .......................................................... 19
Flame cutting and welding with compressed
gases and Hazards ............................................ 20
Portable mechanically powered nailers & staplers .. 22
Portable power tools .......................................... 22
Cranes and lifting appliances .............................. 23
Confined spaces ................................................ 24
Demolition........................................................ 26
Housekeeping ................................................... 27

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 A GUIDE TO SAFETY AND HEALTH AT CONSTRUCTION SITES

INTRODUCTION

The building operations and works of engineering construction

industries in Maldives have made tremendous progress in
recent years. The growth of the industry has also been
subjected to increasing health and safety risks to workers
on site and to the general public.

This guideline is the first document on health and safety at

construction sites in the Maldives. This is an initiative by the
Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI)
to keep construction sites safe for the workers and to the general
public. This is designed to serve as a minimum requirement
for contractors to implement health and safety standards on
their construction sites.

DEFINITIONS

Developer means any person, body of persons, company,

firm or society who or which engages in or carries on or
undertakes the business of developing or providing monies
for development or purchasing or partly developing and
providing monies for purchasing buildings.

Contractor means a person who has entered into a

contract for the purpose of carrying out any building operations
or work of engineering construction and includes a main
contractor or subcontractor.

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GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS
1. Every developer, main contractor, contractor and sub-
contractor shall have a written statement of his general
policy with respect to the safety and health at work of his
employees and other persons who are not his employees, who
may be exposed to risks to their safety and health.

2. Every main contractor, contractor and sub-contractor shall

develop a safety and health manual that has provision for
safeguarding the safety and health of the public and his
employees.

3. Every main contractor, contractor, and sub-contractor

shall arrange during operation, handling, transport, storage
of plant and substance, to ensure the safety and health to the
employees and public.

4. Every main contractor, contractor and sub-contractor shall

ensure that all workers are properly informed of hazards of
their respective occupations and the precautions necessary
and adequately supervise to avoid accidents, injuries and
risk to health, and in particular that young workers, newly
engaged workers, illiterate and foreign workers.

5. Every main contractor, contractor and sub-contractor shall

provide sufficient allocation for ensuring that provisions to
ensure the public and his employees safety and health are
implemented and maintained.

6. Every main contractor, contractor and sub-contractor shall

take adequate steps to develop and promote safety and
health programs to ensure not only the safety and health of
his employees but also members of the public.

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

An emergency response plan should be established and
maintained. This plan should identify the potential for
accidents and emergency situations, and address the
prevention of occupational safety and health risk associated
with them. The plan should be made according to the size and
nature of activity. As a minimum requirement, the following
must be implemented.

• The site should have at least one trained first aid person
when any construction work is carried out on site.

• The site should maintain a first aid kit which should be easily
accessible. The Contractor should ensure that first aid kit is
always refilled and kept it good in condition.

• The site should maintain a health and safety notice board.

All emergency numbers should be displayed on this notice
board. It should have the contact numbers of First Aid Person on
site, Site Supervisor or Site Manager, Ambulance, Police and
Fire.

SITE SAFETY SUPERVISOR

The main contractor of a worksite shall appoint a site
safety supervisor who should spend at least ten hours per
week exclusively on safety supervision and on promoting
the safe conduct of work generally within the site.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Contractor shall ensure that nothing they or their workers

do will endanger members of the public by any action.
Contractor shall ensure that nothing they or their workers do will
endanger members of the public by any action.

Contractor should take steps to ensure that:

• Pedestrian detours are clearly defined, and pedestrians

protected from the dangers of road traffic when using any
detour.

• The passage of vehicles across footpaths is to be supervised,

to remove danger to the public.

• Flagmen, barriers, signs or traffic lights are used to stop the

public passing under suspended loads (unless there is a
protective gantry).

• Excavations are fenced, and, if they are like to retain

water, are covered and securely fenced to prevent access for
children. If in public places, they should have warning signs, and
warning lights at night.

• Adequate security of the site is to be provided during non-

working periods. This involves ensuring excavations and
openings are covered or fenced, materials are stacked
safely, plant
immobilised, ladders removed or lowered to the ground.

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT

Contractor is responsible for the provision of personal protective

equipment.

The following general rules shall be implemented.

• All employees and others should be trained in the use of

personal protective equipment and made fully aware of the
reasons for its use.

• Safety helmets shall be worn.

• Safety shoes (steel toe shoes) shall be worn.

• Safety glasses shall be worn whenever there is any possibility

of eye damage from debris such as concrete or wood chips, or
grinding dusts

• Hearing protection shall be worn if noise levels are high.

• Appropriate gloves to the task shall be worn.

• Respiratory protection which is appropriate for the task

should be personally provided to all employees exposed to
respiratory hazards such as asbestos, chemical fumes and
dust.

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HOARDING
As a minimum requirement, the following must be
implemented.

• The worksite should be fully barricaded by protective

hoarding.

• The hoarding should not be less than 1800mm in height and

continuous down to the ground. It should be properly designed
and constructed should be maintained in good condition.

• There should be an adequate safety distance between the

worksite and the hoarding.

• Where the distance from a public place to the building being

constructed is such that there is the likelihood of falling
materials striking pedestrian or vehicular traffic, a gantry should
be required.

• During the erection of the hoarding, safe work procedures should

be followed to ensure safety of the public.

• The entrance to and exit from the worksite should be located in

such a manner as to prevent danger and inconveniences to
the public. Proper security should be maintained so as to prevent
entry of unauthorized persons and public into the worksite.

• Suitable warning signs should be posted appropriate places.

• All building materials should be stored and handled within the

hoarded area.

• Gates should be of suitable design and adequate strength.

AVOIDING EXPOSURE
A range of measures are available to reduce the risk of skin
contact when working with hazardous substances. These
include wearing gloves, long-sleeved shirts, full-length trousers
and boots. Any gloves used should offer suitable protection for the
substance being handled.
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10 WORKING AT HEIGHTS OVER 3

METERS
Safe work practices may include one or more of the
following:

(a) Guarding;
(b) Safety nets; or
(c) Fall arrest systems.

(A) GUARDRAILS / TOEBOARDS

Where protection is required at the perimeter of the
building or openings in roofs, floors or lift shaft, and
is provided by a guardrail system, the guardrail
should:

(a) Be 900-1100 mm above the working place;

(b) Incorporate a mid-rail; and
(c) Include the installation of a toeboard where there is a risk of
tools or materials falling from the roof/place of work.

(B) SAFETY NETS

Safety nets can provide a satisfactory means of protection

against falling, while allowing workers maximum flexibility of
movement.
In considering the use of safety nets as a fall protection
measure, employers may take into account the usefulness
of safety nets for the safety of persons in other occupations
involved with the roof structure. Nets should be installed with
sufficient clearance to prevent contact with the surface below
when a person falls on them.

(C) INDIVIDUAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS

• Individual fall arrest systems include inertia reel

systems, safety
harnesses, lanyards and static lines.
• People required to use this equipment must be trained in its
use.
• Waist type belts should not be used for roof work.
• People using safety harnesses should not work alone. It is
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 important that the rescue of a worker who is suspended in
a full body harness should occur within 20 minutes of the arrested
fall.
• Provision must be made for anchorage points for static lines,
inertia reel lines, and/or safety nets as appropriate.
(D) SAFETY HARNESS

• Safety harnesses can be used as travel restriction systems to

prevent workers moving from safe to unsafe areas on the
roof or work platform.
• Fall arrest systems should be designed so that when
preventing a fall, the maximum distance a person equipped
with a parachute safety harness would fall is within 1.5
metres.
• Full body harnesses of the parachute type, connected to the
lanyard or lifeline at the top dorsal position, should be worn.
• Individual fall arrest systems and safety harnesses
should only be used with individual manufacturer’s components
known to be compatible.

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PERIMETER OF WORKING
PLATFORMS OR PLACES OF WORK
Where a danger exists of any person or any materials or
any other things falling from the platform or place of work,
consideration should be given to how far a person or any
materials or other things might fall. No account should be
taken of any structure or thing temporarily placed below the
working platform or working place unless it constitutes a safe
means of arresting the fall of the person or materials.
Guardrails should be erected along the exposed edge of the
working platform.

Where the working platform or working place is situated above a

public thoroughfare and a danger exists of materials or other
things falling from the platform or place on to persons
using the
thoroughfare, then unless the area below the platform or working
place is barricaded off to prevent public access, screens or
projecting platforms should be erected.
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12 WORKING ON ROOFS
Roof work should only be undertaken by persons who have
the knowledge, experience and resources necessary for the work
to be completed in safety.

Knowledge and experience are necessary before the work is

taken on, as the person responsible for the work must
consider what hazards are involved and how they can be
overcome. In the planning and execution of the job, a safe
system of work must be established, taking into account the
type of equipment necessary, the experience of the
workmen involved and the instruction and supervision
required.

Even if the work will be of short duration, it is still necessary to

identify the hazards and arrange appropriate safeguards.
Where roof work is being carried out in circumstances where
persons are liable to fall from the roof, precautions shall be taken
either to prevent persons falling or, if this is impracticable, to
prevent the fall from being the cause of serious injury.

In particular, when working on a roof the following

points should be considered:

• The provision of anchorage points for static lines, inertia

reel lines,
and/or safety nets is appropriate.

• The roof structure is accessible for the installation of safety nets,

anchorage points and static lines.

• Guardrailing or guardrail attachments are incorporated

in the
perimeter structure, especially prior to erection.

• The ground or floor below the roof area, including the

perimeter, is prepared to provide a firm and level support for
mobile equipment prior to the commencement of roofing
operations.
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• There is permanent access to the roof for maintenance
and
repair.

• The amount of work at height should be reduced as much as

is practicable — for example, the use of sections pre-assembled
on the ground and the installation of guard railing to
perimeter structural members prior to hoisting.

• Protection against falling at the perimeter of the building can

be effectively provided by the use of scaffolding and/or perimeter
guard-rails.

• Scaffolding, any part of which is 5 metres or more above

the ground, shall be erected, altered or dismantled under the
direct supervision of a competent scaffolder.

• Mobile and tower frame scaffolds can be used to provide a

safe working platform while installing safety mesh,
including the stapling of overlaps where purlin spacing is
excessive.

• Where a perimeter scaffold is erected, the platform

height should be as close as possible to the working edge and the
gutter or facia level, and have rigid guard rails at a height
of 900-1100mm above the gutter or fascia level.

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13 LADDERS
The use of ladders to gain ready access to work sites
as a means of carrying out some work activity is a
necessity on construction work. Contractors,
employees and others required to use ladders
should:

• Select the most suitable type of ladder for the work to be

carried out.

• Provide or be provided with appropriate training in the use of

ladders.

• Restrain ladders at both the top and bottom to prevent

accidental displacement.

• Position ladders as close as possible to the work.

• Where a ladder is used to gain access to a working

platform, ensure

• that it extends 1 metre above the working platform.

• Store ladders so as to avoid sagging.

• Keep ladders clean and free from foreign materials.

• Use two people to carry heavy, long ladders.

• Place the feet of single or extension ladders 1/4 of the ladder’s

working length away from the base structure.

• Use only step ladders with lockable spreader bars on both

sides connected to the front and rear stiles.

• Not allow over reaching from any ladder. Where the work
cannot be accessed from the ladder’s position, the ladder
should be moved to allow ease of access within the confines of the
ladder.

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14

Scaffolding is used throughout the construction

industry to provide workers with a safe temporary
working platform.

It is important that a competent person inspects all

scaffolding:

• Before it is used;

• At least weekly while it is in use;

• After bad weather or any other occurrence that could affect its
stability; and

• After periods where the scaffold has not been used for some
time.

The results of inspections should be recorded, including defects

that were put right during the inspections. The records should be
signed by the person who carried out the inspection.

The person carrying out such inspections should

ensure the following requirements are met:

• There is proper access to the scaffold platform.

• All uprights are properly founded and provided with base plates.
Where necessary, there should be timber sole plates, or some
other means used to prevent slipping and/or sinking.

• The scaffold is secured to the building in enough places to

prevent collapse and the ties are strong enough.

• If any ties have been removed since the scaffold was erected,
then additional ties or other means of support should be provided
to replace them.

• The scaffold is adequately braced to ensure stability.

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• Load-bearing fittings are used where required.

• Uprights, ledgers, braces or struts have not been removed.

• Working platforms are fully planked, with the planks free from
obvious defects such as knots and arranged to avoid tipping
and tripping.

• All planks are securely restrained against movement.

• There are adequate guardrails and toeboards at every side from

which a person could fall.

• If the scaffold has been designed and constructed for loading

with materials, that these are evenly distributed.

• There are effective barriers or warning notices to stop people

using an incomplete scaffold, e.g. one that is not fully planked.

14.1 SUSPENDED SCAFFOLDING

Suspended scaffolding shall only be erected by a
competent person.

The following points should be observed when

erecting or using suspended scaffolding:

• Hoisting ropes shall be anchored to a secure part of the

structure, to outriggers, to specially designed brackets and
parapet hooks or directly to counterweights.

• Guard rails, mid rails and toe boards shall be provided on both
sides and both ends of suspended scaffolds.

• Every worker on a suspended platform shall wear a safety

harness that is secured to a fixed support or to an independent
lifeline.

• All suspended platforms shall be fitted with tilt switches which

cut off the motors in the event of the platform becoming more than
10° out of level.

• Where suspended scaffolds are above throughfares, adequate

and prominent warning notices shall be displayed.
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 • Where any special danger exist adequate protection of the
public should be provided.

• The accumulation of surplus gear or materials on any

suspended scaffold is hazardous and should be avoided.

• No persons are allowed to ride on the platform while it is

being raised or lowered unless the controls on the platform
are individually operated.

• A suspended scaffold register, record of inspection shall be

kept on site and available for inspection by persons required to
use the scaffold.

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ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
Portable electrical appliances shall be used in damp
situations only with one of the following safeguards.

• A supply isolated from earth with a voltage between

conductors not
exceeding 230 volts;

• A monitored earth circuit where the supply to the appliance

is automatically disconnected in the event of the earth to
the appliance being broken or disconnected,

• The appliance is double insulated;

• A source connected to earth in such a way that the voltage to

earth will not exceed 55 volts AC; or

• A residual current device.

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TEMPORARY SUPPLY
SWITCHBOARDS

All supply switchboards used on building and construction sites

should be of substantial construction and should where installed in
outdoor locations, be so constructed that safe operation is not
impaired by the weather.

17 INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT

All electrical tools and equipment should be inspected prior to

their first use and thereafter at least at 3-monthly intervals.

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CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES

No part of a crane, digger, excavator, drill rig, or other

mechanical plant, structure or scaffold may be brought closer
than 4 m to an overhead line without the written consent of the
power line owner.

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19
SAFE USE OF CHEMICALS
Effective control measures and policies shall be
developed and implemented to ensure that the
chemicals or substances are used safely.

These measures should include policy on:

• Safe handling of chemicals or hazardous substances;

• Correct storage procedures to be adopted;
• Safe transportation procedures; and
• Safe disposal procedures.

The safe handling of chemicals should be aimed at eliminating

or minimising risk to employees or others, and will involve reading
labels and complying with instructions.

All chemicals should be stored in their original containers in a safe,

well ventilated, secure place and in accordance with
directions on their labels.

All employees should be trained in the correct practices to be

followed when using chemicals and hazardous substances, and
how to deal with emergencies that may arise while using any
substance.

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The inhalation of asbestos dust may result in serious lung disease.

All persons involved in the work shall wear either disposable
overalls or washable overalls.

Respiratory protection is to be worn — usually a positive pressure

face mask that provides filtered air to the mask at pressure.
Recommended practice is to have the area where asbestos is
being worked screened by impervious sheeting and have air
pressure in the enclosure reduced, to stop the escape of dust.

Air tests may be required prior to reoccupation of the area.

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21
FLAME CUTTING AND WELDING
WITH COMPRESSED GASES &
HAZARDS

Provision should be made to guard against the

following potential hazards:

• Fires caused by leakage of fuel (propane, acetylene) usually

from damaged or badly joined sections of hose.
• Cylinder explosions caused by accidental leakage of oxygen
from hoses or cutting torches.
• Operators may release oxygen deliberately to try to clear
fumes from the air, with the effect that it creates a situation where
— with too much oxygen in the air — just one spark may set
clothing alight. Oily or greasy clothes may also catch fire
spontaneously.
• Flashback caused by the operator trying to light the cutting
torch when there is a mixture of oxygen and fuel gas in one
hose.
• Explosions or fires caused by flame cutting or welding drums,
or tanks, that contain flammable materials even in small amounts.
• Breathing in dangerous fumes during cutting or welding
operations.
• Nearby flammable material catching fire.

21.1 HANDLING CYLINDERS

Cylinders shall not be rolled along the ground or handled
roughly. Wherever possible, a cylinder trolley should be
used, with the cylinders attached by chains. Cylinders should
have time to settle after being brought to a standing position
before being used.

21.2 STORAGE
All hoses and cutting accessories should be removed at the
completion of any work and stored away from cylinders. Cylinders
should be stored in an upright position away from other flammable
substances and sources of ignition

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21.3 EQUIPMENT
Only hoses that meet the appropriate standard should be used.
They should be checked every day for signs of damage. The
hose length should be kept as short as possible. If lengths of hose
have to be joined following the removal of damaged sections, only
proper hose couplers and proprietary hose clamps should be
used. Makeshift couplers made from pipe shall not be used.
Proper couplers should be used to connect the hose to the cylinder
regulator.

Soapy water should be use to check cylinders and hoses for leaks.
If a leak is found and it cannot be stopped, the cylinder should be
removed to a safe place in the open air and the supplier
contacted for advice.

Flash-back arrestors should be fitted to each hose.

Oil and grease should be kept away from oxygen cylinders hoses
and work clothes, oxygen build-up can lead to sudden, fierce fires.

21.4 FUMES
A significant health problem that can a rise from welding is
lead poisoning caused by flame cutting steel coated with lead-
based paint. Welders and gas cutters can suffer metal fume fever
through working with plated metal. Cadmium and zinc-plated
materials are especially dangerous.

Nitrous fumes produced during all welding and cutting

operations can build up quickly in poorly ventilated areas such
as excavations, pits small basements and tanks.

Forced ventilation is essential in these situations. All employees

who carry out welding or cutting where there is a risk of
breathing dangerous fumes will need to wear appropriate
respiratory protection.

21.5 FIRE FIGHTING AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Flammable materials shall be removed from the work area and
suitable fire-fighting equipment provided.

Employees should wear suitable eye protection and protective

clothing to protect against burns.

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PORTABLE MECHANICALLY
POWERED NAILERS AND STAPLERS
• Tools should never be pointed at any person, whether they
contain fasteners or not.

• The operating mechanism or work-contacting element should

never be depressed unless the nose of the tool is directed on a
safe work surface or test material.

• Additional care should always be taken when nailing near the

edge of material.

• No volatile or combustible gas is ever to be used to power a

pneumatic tool. This includes never using bottled oxygen.

• Defective tools are never to be used.

• No operator is to discharge fasteners by bump nailing.

• Eye and hearing protection is appropriate for the tool and is

used.
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PORTABLE POWER TOOLS
Power saws, planers, cement mixers, concrete
cutting tools, and other power tools shall have proper
guards in place at all times. Employers, employees
and others required to use power tools are to ensure
that:

• Every operator is trained in the use of the tools.

• Only the right tool is used for the job and appropriate work
methods are adopted.

• Defective tools are not used until repaired.

• Transmission guards shall be in place.

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 • Electrical safety devices are used where appropriate.

• Cutting tools are kept sharp.

• Eye and hearing protection is appropriate for the tool and is

used.

• Immediate floor areas around machines are kept clear.

• Extension cords are placed in such a manner to prevent damage

from equipment or materials.

• Adequate lighting is provided to carry out the work.

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CRANES AND LIFTING APPLIANCES
Employers and employees using cranes and lifting
appliances should ensure that:

• The area of the crane operation is not accessible to public.

• That no person stays under the suspended load.
• That the load is not lifted over a third party’s property.
• Cranes and derricks are restricted from operating within
4m of any electrical power line.
• Cranes are inspected weekly, and thoroughly examined
every 12 months by a competent person. The results of
inspections should be recorded.
• There is a current test certificate.
• The driver is trained, competent and over 18 years of age.
• The controls (levers, handles, switches, etc.) are clearly
marked.
• The driver and dogman determine the weight of every load
before lifting.
• Every jib crane with a capacity of more than 1 tonne has an
efficient automatic safe load indicator that is inspected weekly.
• A hydraulic excavator being used as a crane has the maximum
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safe load clearly marked and hydraulic check valves fitted where
required.
• The crane is on a firm level base.
• There is enough space for safe operation.
• The dogman has been trained to give signals and to attach
loads correctly and knows the lifting limitations of the crane.
• If it can vary its operating radius, the crane is clearly
marked with its safe working loads and corresponding radii.
• The crane is regularly and thoroughly maintained.
• The lifting gear is in good condition and has been
thoroughly examined.

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CONFINED SPACES
“Confined spaces” include wells, closed tanks with restricted
means of entry and exit, open manholes, trenches, pipes, flues,
ducts, ceiling voids, enclosed rooms such as basements and other
places where there is inadequate ventilation and/or the air
is either contaminated or oxygen deficient.

Before entry to any confined space it shall be tested to

determine that there are adequate levels of oxygen
present, and that dangerous amounts of flammable and or
poisonous gases are not present. No one is to enter any
space if testing shows that the air is dangerous inside.
Forced ventilation should be used to remove or dilute the gases
and supply fresh air. The air shall be tested again prior to
entering, and monitoring continued while work is being
conducted inside the space.

PRECAUTIONS

If work in a confined space could be potentially

dangerous, entry shall be strictly controlled and
detailed precautions taken. Where the confined
space itself may be dangerous (regardless of the
work carried out):

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• People who are required to work in or enter the space should
receive training and instruction in the precautions to be taken
inside the area.

• At least one person should be stationed outside the space to

keep watch and communicate with anyone inside.

• Rescue harnesses should be worn by all those inside the

confined space, with a life-line attached to the harness and a
suitable winching mechanism at or near the point of entry.

• Rescue procedures should be included in the training of

workers. Reliance should never be placed on one person alone to
lift injured or unconscious people out of a confined space during
rescue, unless they are equipped with special lifting appliances.
Rescue equipment, including emergency breathing apparatus,
should be available near the entrance at all times.

• No attempt should ever be made to clear fumes or gases with

pure oxygen.

• Appropriate respiratory protection shall be provided where the

results of monitoring assessment indicates that a safe
atmosphere cannot be established.

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MNACI
 A GUIDE TO SAFETY AND HEALTH AT CONSTRUCTION SITES

26 DEMOLITION
Contractors or employers who carry out demolition
work or contract others to should take all practicable
steps to ensure:

• The public are protected from the rubble, dust and traffic by
proper gantries and fenced walkways.
• Power, gas, telecommunications, sewerage and water
services have been disconnected.
• Walls are never left free-standing that could be blown down by
unexpected winds.
• Where any wall is to be toppled by pulling, there is a
surrounding clear space of 1.5 x wall height.
• Floors are not overloaded with demolition debris or plant being
loaded on to floors.
• Adequate measures are taken to overcome asbestos hazards
from old insulation and construction materials.
• Empty tanks are checked for explosive or toxic materials.
• Noise is controlled at the source.
• Protective helmets, also eye, feet and hearing protection
is provided and it is ensured that it is used.
• Precautions are taken to avoid fire in debris.
• The public is protected from the site.
• When chainsaws are used, protection is provided for the user’s
legs, eyes and ears.
• Traffic crossing footpaths is controlled by adequately trained
personnel.
• Access is prevented to any person once any controlled
collapse demolition process has started.
• All mobile mechanical plant has been fitted with an appropriate
falling object protective structure.
• Additional support is provided for employees required to remove
brittle roofing.

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HOUSEKEEPING
All rubbish around machinery, plant, accessways,
stairwells, site facilities and the site in general
should be regularly gathered and disposed of in
suitable bins.
Contractor should ensure that:

• All employees are able to reach their place of work safely.

• There are safe roads, passageways, ladders and scaffolds.

• All walkways are level and free from obstructions.

• Materials are stored safely.

• Holes are securely fenced or covered and clearly marked.

• Chutes are available to avoid waste being thrown down in the

open.

• Nails in re-used timber are removed or hammered down.

• There is adequate lighting provided for the work

• Temporary props and shoring are in place to support temporary

work as necessary.

Maldives National Association of Construction Industry

27
MNACI
Maldives National Association of Construction Industry
Port Complex, (Ground Floor) Hilaalee Magu,
Male’, Rep of Maldives
Tel: +960 331 8660, Fax: +960 331 8796
Email: secretariat@mnaci.org.mv Copyright © MNACI 2010