Some laws and regulations are not exactly known for their practical accessibility - but they still have an important function, especially in everyday working life. In the case of the Construction Site Ordinance, it even protects lives in complex construction projects. It sets out a safety framework for occupational health and safety on construction sites that workers and clients can rely on if applied correctly.
In this article, we present the key components of the Construction Site Ordinance and show which obligations are derived from it for construction sites and projects.
The most important facts in brief
The Construction Site Ordinance regulates safety-relevant aspects of construction sites
It contains specific requirements and obligations for construction site organization
Software support helps with the implementation and control of complex specifications
What is the Construction Site Ordinance?
In Germany, general provisions for workplaces and their safety requirements can be found in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) - although this does not cover all aspects of complex construction projects. The Construction Site Ordinance (BaustellV) supplements the law with specific requirements for construction sites; in Austria, similar requirements can be found in the Construction Site Coordination Act and in Switzerland in the Construction Work Ordinance (BauAV).
What exactly is meant by the associated terms "construction site", "construction facility" and "modification of a construction facility" is specified in the regulation on occupational health and safety on construction sites (RAB) 10 "Definitions".
It is a fundamental set of rules that ensures safety and order on construction sites. It forms an indispensable basis for minimizing potential hazards and risks on construction sites and is regarded as a framework for protecting the health of employees. The regulation was created to provide a clear structure for dealing with construction sites and to define the responsibilities of all parties involved.
What does the Construction Site Ordinance contain?
It contains a large number of regulations and provisions that must be complied with by clients, employers, contractors, planners and contractors alike - right from the start of setting up the construction site. Among other things, these relate to the areas of work organization, safety measures, protective measures and the coordination of the various trades on the construction site. The rules on occupational health and safety are particularly important when it concerns employees of several employers who carry out work on the construction site simultaneously or consecutively.
One key aspect is the obligation to draw up a health and safety plan. This health and safety plan must be drawn up during the planning phase of a construction site and updated and implemented throughout the construction period. It defines specific measures to identify and eliminate hazards and prevent accidents and health hazards.
The Construction Site Ordinance also stipulates that a safety coordinator must be appointed on larger construction sites with employees from several employers. The tasks of the coordinator, who works for one of the employers, are to monitor compliance with safety measures, identify potential hazards and take action at an early stage to prevent accidents. Appointing suitable coordinators is an activity that must be carried out prior to the actual start of construction, as is giving advance notice to the competent authority.
Silence is silver, communication is project gold
In addition to organizational requirements, the Construction Site Ordinance also defines a communicative framework for cooperation. Regular safety meetings and coordination are essential in order to inform all those involved about current safety measures and possible risks and to identify potential sources of danger.
The Construction Site Ordinance therefore makes a significant contribution to reducing occupational accidents and health hazards on construction sites. It creates clear responsibilities, promotes a culture of safety and helps to ensure that construction projects can be carried out efficiently and, ideally, without major incidents.
Obligations for a safe construction project
In addition to the SiGE plan and the obligation to appoint a safety coordinator, the regulation contains a number of other requirements that must be met by all project participants in equal measure:
Detailed documentation: The Construction Site Ordinance requires the creation and storage of comprehensive documentation containing all safety-relevant information. This includes the health and safety plan, documents relating to safety training, minutes of safety meetings and accident reports. Digital document management can greatly facilitate the organization of complex data bases.
Protective measures and personal protective equipment (PPE): The regulation stipulates that suitable protective measures must be taken during the execution of the construction project in order to minimize hazards during the work. This also includes the provision of the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for all employees working on the construction site.
Training: The regulation requires that all employees working on the construction site are adequately trained and instructed. They must be informed about the specific hazards and safety measures to ensure their own safety and that of their colleagues.
Advance notice: You should not forget to give advance notice to the competent authority. According to § 2 BaustellV, "for every construction site where the expected duration of the work is more than 30 working days and where more than 20 employees will be working at the same time or the scope of the work exceeds 500 person days", the competent authority must be given advance notice at least two weeks before the construction site is set up.
How Viewpoint can help with compliance with construction site regulations
Complex construction projects require a particularly precise overview of all safety-relevant factors - and a viewpoint that provides exactly that. Using the right tools in the form of suitable software support such as Viewpoint is crucial here. Regardless of whether you perform the task of coordinator yourself or commission a third party, Viewpoint can provide support in planning the execution of the construction project.
Viewpoint for Projects
This powerful software is an indispensable companion for your team during all phases of the construction project and facilitates the management of even ambitious projects with a smooth BIM workflow - and compliance with the relevant construction site regulations.
The key feature of Viewpoint for Projects is its ability to manage complex projects effortlessly. The ISO 19650-compliant software gives you the ability to efficiently manage all aspects of your construction project and make the entire process transparent. From the initial planning phase to final completion, you retain full control over all safety-related factors. The contracted third party can also perform the tasks better, while you still retain an overview.
A key advantage of the tool is the ability to create and track risk registers. Risks are part of every construction project and their early identification and proactive management are essential for the success and compliant execution of the construction project. With the software, you have an overview of all risks and can take targeted measures to minimize potential problems and drive the project forward.
Viewpoint Field View
Just as the construction site regulations have long been available digitally, their actual application on the construction site should also be digital - paper and pen can remain in the office as relics of the analog past.
Viewpoint Field View is a powerful, cloud-based and mobile tool that has already proven itself in practice and can also be used offline. This innovative solution replaces analog input in the field with customizable mobile forms for smartphones or tablets.
Thanks to Field View, you and your team can manage complex projects efficiently and transparently control the requirements of the construction site regulations. The software streamlines processes through precisely configurable templates that can be flexibly adapted to the specific requirements of your project.
This saves you valuable time - and transforms the regulation from an abstract standard text into a practical safety framework for construction sites.
