The work site of the geothermal heat site in Delft is almost ready for drilling. How do you ensure that all work on the construction site -such as laying pipes and creating a drilling floor- is done safely? In three articles, we zoom in on the topic of safety from different perspectives. To start: construction manager Mark Ketting.
"Safety is the most important thing in our projects. Everyone wants to go home safely after working hours. This involves safety for everyone: yourself, others and the environment." Speaking is Mark Ketting, construction manager at Aardyn. Together with the project manager, he takes care of the technical designs and is responsible for safety on the construction site and in the surrounding area. "During the drilling of the wells, the drilling company deals with safety, though I do maintain a monitoring role. During the completion of the geothermal site, I again have final responsibility.
Safety starts with a good plan: "Our implementation plan contains measures to ensure accessibility, liveability, safety and communication (BLVC) during implementation. It is the 'bible' for our project and applies to everyone. Apart from Aardyn, these are the project partners, faculties of TU Delft, the contractors and suppliers. TU Delft also has its own BVLC plan to which we are bound. Working on a project involving many parties, in a dynamic built environment, makes this project extra challenging."
On the construction site
Before the start, the main contractors submitted plans to Mark detailing how they would carry out their work safely. These include a transport plan, noise plan and a lifting plan for working with a crane. Mark also issues work permits, for example, for working at high temperatures, such as welding and grinding. "On site, we go through the work permit with companies and establish it together. Only then are they allowed to start working. When people come for the first time, they are also given a site introduction, a brief explanation of the implementation plan, so that that they know what is and is not allowed, where escape routes are and how to prevent problems."
All companies are responsible for carrying out their work safely and are certified to do so. The company must also have a Safety Health and Environment (HSE) plan. But, on the construction site, different activities sometimes take place side by side, which can affect each other. "Therefore, before they actually start, companies make a last-minute risk analysis. Suppose within the turning range of a crane, others are busy, then the lifting work has to stop." The safety system is completed with risk analyses, inspections and an incident reporting system.
Safety is not a pile of documents, but a task Mark works on every day. "If I see something that is not right, I speak to people. Every fortnight, we make major safety rounds. Aardyn has a lot of experience in safe project execution, at the same time you are constantly trying to improve. Fortunately, things are going very well. Our contractors are mostly used to the strict safety regulations in the oil and gas industry. Here -so to speak- you never have to ask people to keep their helmets on."
Safety for the surrounding area
The fully fenced construction site has one access from the Rotterdamseweg, and is protected by a barrier. During working days, there is a porter. "No one is allowed to enter the construction site without permission. After working hours, the construction fences close and the site is secured with cameras, among other things.
Mark is also in charge of handling construction traffic on the Rotterdamseweg, a busy access road to the TU campus. "Our traffic controllers ensure the safety of cyclists and motorists. The traffic nuisance doesn't seem to be too bad so far. I do notice that some people quickly become impatient at delays. "I have an appointment in two minutes, I have to get through now," is then said."
Noise
Safety is also about limiting dust and noise. "There is plenty of living in this environment. To limit nuisance from drilling, for example, noise abatement measures are implemented. For instance, we are deploying low-noise equipment and the side of the adjacent car park will be fitted with a soundproof canvas. Noise measurements have been taken at surrounding houses and noise and vibrations are being monitored during the work. "Fortunately, so far, all values are well within standards," he says.
Communication
Finally, a good relationship with the surrounding area is essential. Mark discusses progress with the environment management team on a weekly basis; the environment manager ensures that local residents and visitors know if there are any situations that might cause inconvenience. Complaints from the neighbourhood are dealt with by Mark himself. There is also a crisis plan that comes into play in case of emergencies on and around the construction site. "Good communication with the surrounding area is essential here."
Courtesy of Mark Ketting.
