Effective Safety And Health Planning On Construction Sites
[ONITSHA AND AWKA OF ANAMBRA STATE]

CHAPTER TWO
2.0. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1    FORMS OF PROJECT PLANNING
Planning naturally precedes execution of any worthwhile venture. It is the correctness of the details of the planning and their effective implementation by those concerned that determine the success or failure of that venture.
2.1.1    Butler (1979) writing on the essence of planning stated that: “planning aims to lay down the direction in which a move is made forward, taking into account the resources that are available; that nothing can result without a plan in any form of production as activities will not be related and persons will go their own ways- the result: chaos and disorder.”
He listed the following forms of planning:
I.    Policy planning
II.    Pre-tender planning
III.    Pre-contract planning
IV.    Short-term planning
V.    Weekly planning
2.1.1.1    Policy planning: This is the planning    that    states    the    objective, focus and procedure of actions of the firm; these are normally laid down in writing as a guide for official transactions. It also encompasses personnel matters like: training, promotions, retirement/ pension schemes, insurance, safety, injuries / compensation etc.
2.1.1.2    Pre-Tender planning: Tendering is a process of contact procurement.
To fully obtain relevant data and organize same for use in the course of tendering, a form of planning is needed and this is called pre-tender planning.
He stated that the procedure of pre-tender planning needs to be planned so that a systematic approach can be made to ensure that all information and facts are gathered on time. A typical example of this procedure is as follows:
1.    The pre-tender report (site investigation)
2.    Method statement
3.    Plant schedule
4.    Site organization structure and site on -costs
5.    Sub-contractors and suppliers
6.    Outline programme
7.    Final estimate (for board’s decision)
•    Pre tender report: - This is a document compiled to show in as comprehensive a form as possible all information regarding the area and general site condition. Apart from lending insight on cost implications, it shows also safety and health implications inherent on the site that should be planned for.
•    Method statement: - Basically this indicates how the project is to be built, what method and plant to be used. Each stage of the operation is studied to find the best method of completing it, carefully weighing the various alternative methods that could be adopted.
•    Plant Schedule:- This is carried out on the completion of the method statement and is a detailed summary of all the plant and equipment required to build a project, giving as mush relevant detail as possible to avoid site congestion that makes it chaotic and prone to accidents.
•    Site organization/outline programme: - These ensure the orderly site arrangement for hutment, material storage and activities procedures in a way that allows for easy flow of engagement.
2.1.1.3    Pre contract planning: - when a builder is successful in his tender and is asked to undertake the project, upon signing the contract document, he will be allowed a short period of time to make preparation and organize his resources before actual commencement of work. This period of time is called pre-contract period and will vary in time with the size and nature of the project The benefits of sound pre-tender planning will enhance the pre-contract planning activities.
Major items dealt with at this stage would include:
1.    Site layout and general organization
2.    Labour and plant requirement finalized
3.    Contract programmer prepared
In engaging with the above listed items attention should be paid to the inter relationship of activities with the view to avoid congestion or situations of conflicts and hasty actions that can lead to bottlenecks and subsequently accident and injuries.