Papercreters: [papercreters] Re: Site Security

Friday, July 25, 2008

[papercreters] Re: Site Security

Site Security is an important thing during construction Evelyn.
Thank you for choosing to research into this important area.

An alarm system might be useful, but I see a lot of simple things
that are important.

I see three major categories of site security.

1. Theft prevention

This includes building materials and tools.

Burglars can steal stuff. Disreputable contractors can steal from
the site also.

Who is supervising whom and when?
Are valuable materials and tools being locked up? How?

Do you know your neighbors? Have you joined the Neighborhood Watch?
Inviting the neighbors over for a ground breaking ceremony is a nice
touch. It might lead to them helping you keep an eye on things.

Once someone steals from a construction site, they often come back
repeatedly to steal more. Some contractors will go so far as to
stake out and sleep at a construction site with shotguns and baseball
bats. (I think getting license plate numbers and calling the police
makes a lot more sense.) Either way. If the local theives find out
that someone got arrested trying to steal from your site, they'll
probably look for an easier target.

2. Safety.

a. This includes safety equipment like gloves, safety glasses, hard
hats, protective guards, railings on scaffolding... on and on and on.

b. It is also important to engineer supports for a partially built
structure. Don't allow a partially supported roof to fall in.

c. Checking that equipment is functioning properly.

d. Papercrete mixers are potentially dangerous. I've posted
frequently about not allowing children to play around them. Imagine
the horror if a neighborhood kid was playing hide and seek in mixer
and someone didn't check inside before starting it up? UGHHHHHH.
That's one of my recurring nightmares.

Welders, welding eye protection, extension cords.

Water and electricity do not mix.

e. It also includes having a safe culture. Encouraging workers to
help each other. Don't place tools on top of ladders, Lift with the
legs and not with the back.

f. Are fire extinguishers on site? Does everyone know where they
are? What about a water hose to fight a fire? If a pipe breaks does
everyone know where the primary shut-off valve is to prevent
flooding? Where is the primary breaker box? Does everyone know how
to kill power in an emergency? First Aid Kit?

3. Legal Protections.

When is it appropriate to have insurance? What protects a
construction site from lawsuits? What bonding and insurances should
be required from contractors? I pray that no worker ever gets killed
on any job, but construction sites are dangerous places. If someone
were to get killed, wouldn't it be nice to know that his/her family
would be taken care of?

Feel free to incorporate my comments however you feel it is
appropriate.

I hope this helps.

--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "Evelyn Vollmer"
<evelynanne8@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone, I thought I would tackle the topic of site security
> for the new manual of info about papercrete. I have not had any
> experience with papercrete yet but I have worked in the construction
> field for many years now.
>
> Of course locking up tools and materials is a no brainer but if you
> want to add something more there is a system that is a plug and go
> sort of thing. I know of a colleague that bought one and uses it at
> his shop. Here is the link
>
> http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?
Prodid=11112456&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
>
> It plugs into a phone line, is $200.00 and can be purchased at
Costco.
> Another way to guard a building site would be a good guard dog/dogs
> <smile>. Anything to add to this topic? Ev
>
>
>
> --
> Chinese herbals for the Western Mind
> www.ozbotanicals.com
> Skype~eve8mon
>