8 details you don‘t want to miss while doing construction in Toronto (II)
Regardless of the scale of construction, safety is always paramount.
In the previous article, we talked about 5 details of building construction in Toronto, and then we’ll go over construction protection and safety guidelines and the risks of working near overhead power lines, so you can effectively avoid the risks and complete your construction successfully!
Notice of Project
Before work can begin on a construction project, the building (Constructor in Health and Safety legislation) may need to file a Notice of Project (NOP) with the Ministry of Labour. You can learn about this in the Government of Ontario tools and information. You may be asked to complete the Notice of Project as the property owner. Here are some things you should know first.
Construction Protection & Safety Guidelines
Your construction site must maintain a safe environment for neighbours and workers, and must also be properly fenced. Failure to provide a protected construction site can cause harm to others and yourself and can be very costly to you in many ways.
City bylaws, such as the Property Standards and Property Maintenance bylaws regulate many aspects of your site. Noncompliance with these bylaws can result in fines and possibly closing down your project.
Here is a basic construction site checklist to follow:
- Do not harm existing neighbourhood services. Contact your local utility department to determine the location of underground services before beginning excavation.
- Protect your neighbours’ homes, trees and plants. Make sure construction operations and trucks are kept away from your neighbour’s house.
- Install protective boards or fencing around trees and shrubs.
- Enclose your construction site with protective fencing to restrict access (Toronto Municipal Code – Construction Fence Bylaw – Chapter 363).
- If you are working near overhead power lines, you must call Toronto Hydro for more information on disconnecting, relocating/removing or covering the lines.
- Place portable toilets away from neighbours’ homes and out of sight.
- Don’t litter trash cans and debris around your neighbours’ houses.
- Respect your neighbours’ parking needs. Do not park any construction vehicles on your front lawn or block your neighbour’s driveway.
- Do not allow construction debris to be burned.
- Do not leave any potentially hazardous construction materials, equipment or vehicles unattended on the site.
- Insist that your workers wear and use proper safety equipment, such as approved hard hats and protective work boots.
Work Near Overhead Power Lines
Having physical contact with live power lines can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, death. Following safety standards will protect everyone.
But more than that, it’s also the law under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. It is the responsibility of the construction worker to ensure that everyone on the job site is following the safety limits for live electrical lines. Failure to do so could result in your workplace being shut down. If an injury occurs, you may be held liable, whether you are the owner or the contractor.
For more information about working near power lines, visit Toronto Hydro’s website: Toronto Hydro Electrical Safety.
Now you have a general understanding of what to look for and what risks to avoid when renovating a store, restaurant, or residential property in Toronto.
Our experienced construction team and project staff have been following these safety guidelines to protect the homeowners’, neighbours’, and workers’ safety during construction.
Should you have any questions or construction inquiries, feel free to contact us by filling out the form on our website. Good luck with your project!