The range of equipment you need at a construction site depends largely on the type of site, the location and the work being done there. If you’re making a list of the sundry items you may need, you may have to include a sturdy fence.
When you’re arranging your scissor lift hire for your latest construction job, it’s crucial to hire a temporary fence as well. Our experts have compiled a few good reasons why you shouldn’t overlook this often-forgotten item.
Why You Shouldn’t Forget that Temporary Fence
It’s not uncommon to see temporary fencing around the many construction or work sites across the country. And there’s a bunch of good reasons for that. Let’s take a look at some of the more significant ones.
1. Keep Intruders Out
The number one reason to invest in temporary fencing hire when you start working at a new job site is to keep intruders out. Since these fences are very sturdy, they provide an efficient obstacle for anyone trying to get into the job site.
A fence separates and identifies your job site from the surrounding area. It’s also a necessary resource to keep your machinery, equipment and workers safe while they’re working on-site.
2. Prevents Accidental Trespassing
Many construction sites are situated within neighbourhoods and city areas. This means that you could have pedestrians walking past your job site.
If you’re working in an area where people were once accustomed to walking across that piece of land, there’s a risk of uninformed people wandering into your job site. Accidental trespassing presents an enormous risk because unauthorised people may accidentally step on materials that can cause them to trip and fall. Additionally, they may inadvertently wander into the path of machinery or workmen. Using a temporary fence with a no-entry sign is essential to avoid this.
3. Avoid Vandalism
Fencing around your worksite serves to keep graffiti artists from vandalising your construction walls, machinery and equipment. Adding a fence around your site also keeps curious children and pets from wandering into the site when they’re looking for new places to play or explore.
In the event that a vandal climbs over the fence, and gets injured on your job site, you won’t be liable for the accident. You did your part by setting up a barrier indicating that the area shouldn’t be entered by unauthorised people.
4. A Barrier Around the Worksite
Temporary fencing sends a clear message to anyone in the area that construction is ongoing. When people see fencing around construction sites, they know to be wary of dust and possible water runoff from the ongoing jobs.
For the most part, people see fencing as an indication to avoid the area completely. It also clearly defines the area the workers have to operate in, eliminating the risk of machinery or materials being placed in unsafe areas.
5. Maintain Compliance
Local building laws in the Safe Work Australia Construction Work Code of Practice dictates that all building sites should be safely secured to prevent unauthorised access. Having a fence around even the smallest work site ensures that your company is compliant with necessary building laws. This in turn will ensure that you don’t incur any penalties or fines.
6. Create Smaller Sections Within Your Job Site
There’s no denying it—a lot is going on at a job site at any given time. That said, it’s easy for materials and job functions to become intertwined and overlap. While some construction workers are quite capable of working in chaos, it’s always recommended to make work processes as easy as possible.
Smaller sections of temporary fencing can be used to create spaces inside your job site to separate materials and equipment. Temporary fencing can also be set up around drains or unstable terrain to notify workers to avoid the area. This not only streamlines the process but also reduces the risk of employee injury.
Other Uses of Temporary Fencing
In addition to being very versatile on construction sites, temporary fencing can also be used in these ways (even at home):
- Barrier around work being done: One of the top reasons to use temporary fencing at home is to separate your family and pets from work being done on the property. This is especially the case when you’re building or renovating your pool.
- Create a temporary pet fence: If you’re having a function on your property, and you don’t want your dogs jumping all over your guests, you can rent a few fences to create a safe play area for the pets. You’ll have some order without the stress brought on by locking them up in a room or garage for hours on end.
- Kids’ play area: If you have a large property and you’re planning a kiddies’ party, it’s a good idea to create a safe play area using the fencing. This will keep small children from accessing unsafe areas, like the busy street.
Final Thoughts
Temporary fencing serves to keep your worksite safe and secure. Additionally, you’ll be complying with the local building laws and doing your part to keep the public safe. You’ll have peace of mind that your project can go on uninterrupted!
And perhaps you realise you should be using this resource at home too?
