OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

CASE STUDY

READ THE CASE STUDY BELOW AND ANSWER CORRECTLY

Amy Makhuva is a self-employed real estate developer living in Johannesburg. Part of her job description involves either purchasing existing property (for example, houses or apartment buildings) or land, and turning over this property in order to resell it on the real estate market. For an existing property, one of Amy's real estate projects may involve anything from simple renovations or expansions to full-scale demolitions. If Amy purchases empty land, those real estate projects involve the new construction and development of houses, apartments or office buildings.

Recently, Amy has acquired a house located in the affluent suburb of Sandton. Although the house is beautiful as it is (there are four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a two-car garage, kitchen, lounge, and large garden), Amy intends on making a few changes to the house in order to further raise its market value. To do this, Amy has hired a contractor named Graham Stevens. With Graham's help, Amy would like to add a pool in the backyard of the Sandton home. He has informed her that adding a pool will require excavation to be done at the house, but Amy is not fully aware of the processes and protocols which come with excavation projects.

Question 1: 50 MARKS

Based on the case scenario given above, write a submission of no more than 400 words in which you identify and explain the excavation hazards Amy should be aware of before beginning this construction project.

In your submission, be sure to also suggest control measures and protocols that Amy and Graham need to implement and follow in order to manage this excavation, and ensure the health and safety of those working on the project as well as any visitors to the site.

Your answer should inform Amy of:

• Four hazards and risks associated with excavations, in the context of the above scenario.
• Four control measures needed to address the aforementioned hazards and risks.
• Four inspecting and reporting protocols she and Graham are required to follow.