When scheduling a construction project on a college or university campus, many concerns come to mind. Will capital campaigns raise enough funds to cover the project’s costs? Where will displaced community members be housed, learn, or teach while construction is ongoing? How will traffic flow be interrupted? But ultimately, the top concern for all stakeholders will be safety. What will it take to ensure that students, faculty, staff, and visitors remain safe during a construction project?
That’s where the Preconstruction process comes in. By carefully planning for and reviewing a project before the work starts, students, facility and staff members, as well as visitors, can stay safe and disruptions can be minimized during construction. Below are some key considerations to keep in mind while preparing for your construction project.
Fencing/Restricting Access to Site
First, ensure that access to the site is restricted to keep community members from walking through an active construction site. This usually starts with construction fencing but may include enforcement by campus security or other measures to discourage non-construction personnel from accessing the site. Construction fencing can take many forms, from standard chain-link fencing to screened fencing to help it blend into the background, to even telling the story of the future work being completed beyond the boundary. Your construction management firm should assist with developing and implementing the appropriate screening for their specific project.
Utilize Appropriate Signage
Signage is one of the most important aspects of a comprehensive safety program. Signs should be clear and concise, giving readers instructions on alternate routes, dangers ahead, etc. They should be placed in obvious locations along the routes used prior to the commencement of construction activities, since this disruption will be the main cause of confusion. Signs are an excellent way to keep your campus safe and provide information to your students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The signs should be large, easy to read, and available in multiple languages, depending on your students’ or community’s requirements.
- Construction traffic directional signage will prevent workers or delivery drivers from driving down roads where the campus population is not expecting moving vehicles.
- Safety signage prominently displayed at site entrances will assure that anyone entering your construction site has the appropriate personal protection equipment.
- Do not enter signage warns community members not to access a potentially dangerous area.
Communication
Finally, communication is a key piece in maintaining a safe campus. Keeping students, faculty, staff, and visitors informed of any changes to normal schedules, closures of buildings or roads, and utility shutdowns is vital to maintaining safety as well as maintaining trust within your community. These communications can take a number of forms, such as posting on your website and social media platforms, publishing in campus media outlets, or attending campus group gatherings. Whichever form it takes, your construction management firm should work closely with you to ensure information is given to the appropriate people and that communication is timely, clear, and consistent.
