Renovating: What you need to have in place & how HazardCo can support you

Did you know that if you’re carrying out renovation work the same risks apply as a new build? Whether you’re carrying out extensions, renovations, flood remedial work, large landscaping jobs etc, or you’re engaging contractors for the work, HazardCo have you covered. 

You will firstly need to think about how you will manage health and safety on-site and how you will communicate this with other people involved in the build, such as the homeowner, or other contractors on-site. This will ensure that everyone is on top of the site hazards and practicing good health and safety during your build. 

HazardCo Basic Projects

A HazardCo Project is ordered for each significant job, such as a new house build or large renovation. They contain site-specific resources for that job, including:

• A site specific safety plan (SSSP), 
• A site specific Hazard Board, 
• Site specific QR code for inductions on first visit and scan in/out there after,
• Resources to help you manage your on-site health and safety, 
• Project overview in the ‘’HazardCo HUB” for real time on site activity,
• Ability to upload docs to be visible on induction via QR code.

How can you determine whether you need to order a HazardCo Project?

Have a read of the following 4 sections, if you meet these requirements a Project could be needed. 

1. Are you the main contractor?
   The main contractor should be the one that creates a Site Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) and this should be shared with all workers, including contractors involved in the work. This will ensure workers are aware of the risks and hazards that are involved in the job at hand. Throughout the job, there should be ongoing communication between all parties, and the risks reviewed regularly on-site. For more information around responsibilities check out our blog.
2. Will you be making any structural changes?
   Ordering a project and setting up a SSSP will help identify the controls that will be put in place to manage risks, generally, this type of work can take time, and therefore we recommend ordering a Project and using the HazardCo App to assist your health and safety needs on-site.
3. Will you be engaging contractors?
   If contractors are going to be engaged in the work, then a Project will likely be needed, but this also depends on the type of work and length of the job. So if you’re unsure, just give us a call and we will be happy to assist.
4. How old is the building?
   Any property built before the year 2000, could contain asbestos. Creating a SSSP helps identify the controls that will be put in place to manage this risk. For more information about asbestos check out our blog. We also recommend that all trades should complete an asbestos awareness course. Our members get a 10% discount with SafetynAction, you can also check out an article from them about a recent asbestos prosecution of a trade.  

If none of the above apply, you will need a Team Pack Plus

The Team Pack Plus is designed for those who move regularly from job to job and are not usually managing larger building projects. These are great for managing client inductions and safety procedures while on the go. Our Team Pack includes:

• A sturdy, water-tight site box that acts as a portable Hazard Board, designed to be taken from job to job
• A QR code to keep your client inductions simple and effective
• A 1kg fire extinguisher
• A first aid kit
• A workbook to help you manage safety while you work which takes you through everything you need for inductions, safety procedures and hazard identification and management

A few recommendations from HazardCo

We recommend that you use the HazardCo App and Hub to manage your on-site health and safety. At the beginning of each day, complete a Risk Assessment on the HazardCo App. This will help identify that the work area is safe and ensure that you have the correct controls in place for common construction hazards. Due to the nature of renovation work it is important that you consider noise and dust (examples; asbestos, silica and wood) and how you control these risks. A Task Analysis (TA) should be completed for all high-risk work. You can find out more information on completing Task Analyses by clicking here.

At the end of each day, make sure that you tidy up the work area and ensure that everything is made safe. If the work area cannot be entered after hours due to work or health and safety risks then this should be clearly communicated to your client.  We recommend that this is also documented to them via an email or text message so you have evidence that this has been communicated.

Remember to use the HazardCo App to report any incidents on your site and the task function to report hazards. 

Also, remember to record your Toolbox Meetings with your team. We recommend that you complete at least 2 Toolbox Meetings per site, per month. This demonstrates good consultation and communication with your team. 

If you have any questions about your renovation work, give our friendly HazardCo Team a call. As part of your membership, you have 24/7 incident support and general support during business hours via 0800 555 339, so don’t be shy – get in touch with us and we’ll help you make your site a safer one.