Off-site safety

The implementation of major construction projects has a great impact on the living environment. Construction, including building on infrastructure and renovation works, will always involve some degree of nuisance from such things as noise, dust, light and views. Construction can lead to damage due to vibrations, well drilling and construction traffic. In addition, it affects accessibility.

Municipality as enforcer

A municipality monitors compliance with laws and regulations and takes complaints about construction nuisances. The municipality must take and enforce noise and vibration measurements. The Building Code contains rules to prevent unsafe situations and limit nuisance during the performance of construction, renovation and demolition work. The execution of these activities must be such that a safe situation remains for the surroundings or adverse health nuisance is prevented as much as possible. To comply with this, the Building Code includes rules regarding safety of the surroundings; having a safety plan; noise pollution; vibration pollution; dust pollution and groundwater levels. Despite compliance with laws and regulations, stakeholders are not always immune from experiencing nuisance.

No rules outside the construction site

Health and safety rules apply on the construction site, but right outside the fences, some municipalities have permit policies but not others. Municipalities can require a Construction Safety Plan for each construction project, but in practice this authority is hardly ever used. In practice, however, dozens of risk factors can be found, which can pose hazards to the area around a construction site. Fencing off a construction site with fences, barrier tape and provide scaffolding nets is a start, but more needs to be done.

Everyone remembers the incident in Alphen aan de Rijn in 2015. An entire bridge deck collapsed onto adjacent buildings. Conscious builders work safely for nearby residents and passersby. Construction activities should be safe for the nearby environment. An inventory of risks to the surrounding area outside the construction site should be done continuously before and during construction. Municipalities should require a Construction Safety Plan for each construction project. Clients, as well as architects, should already include off-site safety in their plans.