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The Christmas break is nearly here. You’re probably counting down the days until you can relax and spend some proper time with the family and friends.

But before you lock up for the holidays, let’s make sure your site stays safe and secure. We’re all rushing to finish jobs before shutdown, summer’s heating up, there are Christmas catch ups to organise, and everyone’s tired. That’s when shortcuts start looking tempting.

The good news? A bit of prep now means you can actually enjoy your break without worrying about your site. No phone calls about vandalism. No nasty surprises when you get back. Just a proper holiday.

Your site is more tempting than you think

An empty construction site during the holidays can attract unwanted attention and can greatly increase the chance of incidents. Locked gates help, but unsecured sites are vulnerable to trespassers, theft, and vandalism.

Your pre-shutdown checklist

• Is your boundary secure? Walk your fence line. Check it’s at least 2 metres high and look for any gaps or weak spots. Make sure all gates are locked properly.
• Can people see it’s dangerous? Your Hazard Board needs to be up to date with current risks and have your contact details clearly visible. Need a new board? You can order one through the HazardCo Hub.
• Have you removed the temptation? If possible remove ladders from site completely. If you can’t, secure them so they can’t be used. Same goes for equipment and machinery, either remove it or hide it out of sight with the keys safely with you.

• Are excavations and openings secure? Any holes or trenches need to be covered and fenced off. Even better, backfill them if you can.
• Is everything safely stacked? Check that materials won’t topple over if there’s strong wind or a summer storm.
• Are hazardous substances stored properly? All your chemicals, fuels, and other nasties need to be locked in proper storage. Best option? Take them off site completely if you can.
• Will temporary structures survive the weather? Give your scaffolding, barriers, and fencing a once over. Summer storms can be brutal.
• Is the power off? Switch off and lock out all temporary power supplies and switchboards.
• Is the site clean? Do a quick tidy up before you go. Empty skip bins, remove waste. A clean site is safer and less attractive to anyone thinking about having a nose around.

Two quick wins using HazardCo

Before you leave: Do a Site Review on the HazardCo App on your last day, that way you’ll know you haven’t missed anything.

When you’re back: Do another Site Review on your first day back. You’ll quickly spot any problems that cropped up while you were away.

Both reviews are saved in your system, so you’ve got a record of your site’s condition before and after shutdown.

If someone’s working over shutdown

If you do need someone on site during the break, you need a lone worker plan in place to make sure they stay safe. Key things to cover:

• Regular check ins (not just once a day, make it frequent)
• First aid kit on-site and easily accessible
• Clear plan for what to do in an emergency and who to contactNo high-risk work activities

The bottom line

Spending some time before the break working through our site security checklist now means you can hopefully switch off over Christmas. No wondering if you’ve left something unsecured. No phone calls interrupting your downtime.

Need a hand? Give our Advisory team a call on 1800 954 702 or email info@hazardco.com and we can give you some tips on getting your site ready for shutdown.

Have a safe and restful Christmas.