Science and Materials: Site Layout, Materials, Hazards, and Precautions

Science and Materials 1
SCIENCE AND MATERIALS
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Science and Materials 2
Science and Materials
Task 1
a) Sketch of site layout
Site layout planning plays a key role in enhancing safety on site (Papadaki & Chassiakos,
2016). It is important to ensure that materials and plants/equipment are stored in designated
places on site to prevent potential safety and health hazards (Yahya & Saka, 2014). The site
layout sketch of the proposed project is shown in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Site layout
b) Materials needed
Some of the materials needed during preparation and demolition of buildings on site include:
spry bars, hammers, safety equipment (such as hard hat, gloves, safety goggles, safety boots,
overall or apron, respirator, etc.) and mechanical equipment. After demolishing existing
structures on site, the demolition waste is sorted so as to separate wastes that can be reused,

Science and Materials 3
recycled or disposed. This is a very essential step in demolition waste management that aims at
protecting the environment (Oyenuga, et al., 2014). The sorting is also done keenly to ensure that
hazardous wastes (such as asbestos and lead) are kept in designated containers in accordance
with the relevant regulations for disposal. All hazardous materials would be labeled to improve
the handling process. After sorting, non-hazardous materials that cannot be recycled or reused
are loaded into trucks and transported to designated disposal sites or landfills. The hazardous
wastes are also taken by specialists to chosen areas for final disposal.
Some of the materials that would be needed during early and later phases of the construction
of the main structure include: concrete (cement, sand and aggregates), steel reinforcement,
masonry (bricks and blocks), timber/wood, tiles, metallic frames, glass, plastic, terrazzo,
gypsum, paints, varnishes, sealants, adhesives and composites, among others. There are several
precautions that must be taken when handling these materials. Some of the precautions include:
all materials must be stored in their designated storage areas; all materials should be stored
properly to avoid damage or prevent them from posing safety risks to persons on the site;
employees should be educated about potential health and safety hazards of each material; all
workers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment before handling any material;
materials stored in containers must be labelled to avoid confusion or accidental use; materials
should be lifted or handled using the right equipment; more explosive and dangerous materials
should only be handled by trained and experienced personnel; heavy materials should be lifted
using appropriate equipment; any plant/equipment used to move or handle materials should be
operated by trained and certified workers; materials such as bricks should be stacked to the
recommended heights (Stromme, 2011); all materials must be used by following the application
guidelines or instructions provided by the manufacturer;; workers must always follow proper

Science and Materials 4
work practices; and workers should be trained on how to minimize potential hazards associated
with handling of various materials. Most importantly is to have a trained fulltime supervisor to
control and monitor how materials are handled and used on site (Kumar, et al., 2015).
c) Materials, hazards and precautions
Table 1 below shows hazards that may presented by some of the main construction materials and
measures that must be taken to minimize their risks to workers on site and people living around
the site.
Table 1: Health hazards of construction materials and precautionary measures
Material Potential hazards Precautionary measures
Lead (found in plumbing
pipes, paints and roofing
materials)
Damages the nervous system
and kidneys, causes
reproductive health
complications, brain disorders,
blood disorders and blindness
Avoid materials with lead
Solvents (found in paints,
cleaning fluids and adhesives)
Affects brain function, damages
nerves and liver/kidney, lead to
blindness, cancer and irregular
heartbeats and causes skin
irritation
Wear appropriate PPE
Follow manufacturer
instructions
Keep them away from the skin
Avoid using them in confined
spaces
Volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)
Respiratory tract and eye
irritation, memory impairment,
dizziness, damage to central
nervous system, kidney and
liver, and cancer
Avoid use of these materials by
using alternatives.
Fiber glass Respiratory tract, skin and eye
irritation; asthma and bronchitis
Wear appropriate PPE when
handling it.
Cutting, chopping and trimming
fiber glass in a confined well-
ventilated area
Polyvinyl chloride (found in
window and door frames,
sewerage and water pipes,
moulding, roof membranes,
ceilings, wall coverings and
flooring)
Affects the functioning of
pancreas, thyroid, reproductive
glands and adrenal, causes
cancer, birth defects, vision
failure, liver dysfunction,
asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Avoid using materials with PVC