SITE CLEARANCE
After necessary demolitions have been done on site, the next step is site clearance, which is carried out to prepare the site for construction.
Site clearance involves the removal of waste to ensure that an area or stretch of land is free from any hazards and starting from a blank canvas – before preparing the land for its desired use.
Such waste could be any machinery or equipment, unwanted surplus materials, rubbish, vegetation and surface soil. Site clearance may also involve levelling and preparing the ground for the planned construction works. Necessary approvals should be acquired particularly for trees which may be protected.
The waste that has been cleared from site has to be managed and disposed of properly, therefore, a site waste management plan (SWMP) may be prepared before site clearance begins. This describes how materials will be managed efficiently and disposed of legally, and explains how the re-use and recycling of materials will be maximized. All types of waste present on the site must be removed safely and efficiently. If there are any potentially hazardous substances (such as asbestos), professional disposal experts must be consulted to safely handle them.
Not only is it important for safety reasons but clearing a site correctly and effectively saves time for the next stage of construction and improves efficiency of the construction process.
REFERENCES
- Site clearance. (n.d.). Designing Buildings. https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Site_clearance
- Adtrak.Admin. (2019). What Is a Site Waste Management Plan and Does My Business Need One? Brown Recycling. https://www.brownrecycling.co.uk/news-advice/what-is-a-site-waste-management-plan-and-does-my-business-need-one/
- Wriggle. (2023). Site Clearance In Construction: What Do You Need To Know? Thompsons of Prudhoe. https://thompsonsofprudhoe.com/news/site-clearance-what-do-you-need-to-know/