Public protection safety measures are put in place to safe guard THE PUBLIC against injuries, potential death and unrestricted entry to building sites.

When is public protection required?

The Registered Building Surveyor will assess a building permit application to determine if the proposed works will be a risk to the public and where determined necessary, require relevant safety measures be put in place to ensure public safety.

Works which may cause concern can include:

  • Building façade works – new openings, erection of signage
  • Verandah and balcony construction
  • Excavation – footings along a boundary, adjoining a footpath, road or public space excavation for a basement, mass excavation for multi-storey construction
  • Retaining wall above and/or below ground
  • Tilt panel construction
  • Front fence construction
  • Dwelling or garage construction near a street alignment/boundary
  • Multi-storey construction near a boundary

Safety measures required will depend on site specific circumstances and can include (but not be limited to) chain mesh fencing, solid hoardings, scaffold and gantries and/or partial or full road closures.

What documentation will be required?

Where public protection requirements have been assessed as necessary, the following documentation may need to submitted to the RBS :

  • Site plan – showing subject allotment;
  • Adjoining properties, public space (footpath, road, lane, park area etc);
  • Elevations – building, hoarding, fencing etc (fully dimensioned);
  • Sections – building, hoarding, show access for pedestrians, street furniture etc (fully dimensioned);
  • Hoarding plan – location of the hoarding, width of street, footpath, street furniture, pedestrian access etc;
  • Work method statement – breakdown of work stages and precautions to be used. This statement can include timings for the precautions, the period for which the hoardings will be in place etc;
  • Council guidelines – some councils produce guidelines setting out their minimum requirements
  • Certification of structural details including computations;
  • Services plans – location of underground pipes, electricity power lines, gas mains etc;
  • Works program, indicating proposed precautions schedule and staged occupation of the building;
  • Protection of pedestrians (traffic management plan)

Failure to comply with any public protection requirements can lead to stop work notices, work safety investigations, costly fines, legal proceedings or worse yet, death. It is therefore in the best interest of builders to ensure that all relevant safety measures are implemented.