36-Month panel appointment for integrated infrastructure maintenance and construction works

This is a Construction Health and Safety Specification (CHSS) for a 36-month integrated infrastructure maintenance and construction project. The document outlines the client's (Ethekwini Municipality) requirements for occupational health and safety management on the construction site. It details the responsibilities of the Principal Contractor, including developing a Health and Safety Plan, conducting risk assessments, maintaining a Health and Safety File, and ensuring legal compliance with the OHS Act and Construction Regulations. The scope of work covers General Building, Electrical Engineering Works, and Mechanical Engineering services.

The Principal Contractor must demonstrate: Competence and resources to manage the defined scope of work (General Building, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering); A functional Health and Safety Management system; The ability to appoint legally compliant, competent personnel (e.g., SACPCMP Safety Officer, certified first aiders, competent inspectors); Financial provision for all mandated health and safety cost items; Compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Regulations 2014, and all other applicable regulations.

The scope of work for this 36-month integrated infrastructure maintenance and construction contract includes:

• General Building: Construction and maintenance of offices, libraries, museums, taxi ranks, fire stations, schools, clinics, hospitals, multi-purpose buildings, shopping centres, warehouses, ablution facilities, social housing, and electrical substations. Excludes RDP housing. Work includes earthworks, brickwork, concrete, structural steelwork, glazing, multi-storey construction, and electrical/mechanical installation and reticulation.
• Electrical Engineering Works - Buildings: Supply, installation, and maintenance of Low Voltage systems (≤1000V). Includes distribution boards, switchgear, standby generators, UPS, lighting, cabling, wiring, sockets, power points, geyser spares, fans, photovoltaics, inverters, batteries, earthing, lightning protection, sensors, and energy efficiency systems. Includes maintenance repairs, minor alterations, and breakdown callouts outside normal hours.
• Mechanical Engineering: Supply, installation, servicing, repair, retrofitting, or maintenance of HVAC&R equipment/systems. Includes split systems, VRF, roof-tops, ducted air conditioning, air-cooled/water-cooled units, air/water chillers, fan coils, close control units, cold rooms, and refrigeration or forced ventilation systems.

The Principal Contractor must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, all applicable Regulations, and this CHSS. The client's Agent will monitor compliance.

The Principal Contractor's H&S Plan must include method statements, such as for the storage of flammable products.

OH&S representatives must be experienced, permanently employed by the Principal Contractor or sub-contractors, formally trained, and able to move freely within their designated area of responsibility.

The Principal Contractor must ensure continuous monitoring and monthly inspections by appointed OH&S representatives, focusing on unsafe acts and conditions. OH&S representatives must participate in incident investigations and attend OH&S committee meetings.

The H&S Plan must include a baseline risk assessment, monthly risk and incident reports, incident registers, COIDA claim records, monthly H&S performance and audit reports, and endorsed minutes of H&S committee meetings.

The Principal Contractor must carry out regular safety planned task observations and planned H&S inspections, rectifying any unsafe acts or conditions. Inspection registers must correlate with site machinery and equipment, and inspectors must be appointed in writing with proof of training and competency.

The Principal Contractor and all sub-contractors must submit proof of Good Standing with the COIDA Commissioner, or a licensed Mutual Association, prior to starting work. A copy of the Letter of Good Standing must be included in each contractor's H&S Plan and kept updated.

The Principal Contractor must enter into a Mandatory Agreement with the Client as per Section 37(2) of the OHS Act, and ensure all sub-contractors also enter into such agreements.

The Principal Contractor must appoint competent persons in writing for various statutory roles, including Construction Manager, Construction Safety Officer (registered with SACPCMP), Construction Supervisor, and others as required by the OHS Act and Construction Regulations.

The Principal Contractor must develop, submit, and obtain approval for a comprehensive, site-specific Health and Safety Plan and start-up H&S File before commencing any work. The H&S Plan must include detailed risk assessments, safe work procedures, and evidence of all required controls.

This document is a comprehensive Construction Health and Safety Specification (CHSS) published under the OHS Act and Construction Regulations 2014.

• The Principal Contractor is solely responsible for health and safety on site and must comply with the OHS Act, its Regulations, and this CHSS.
• The Client has appointed an Agent to approve H&S Plans and monitor compliance.
• The Principal Contractor must provide adequate cost provision for health and safety measures, including a SACPCMP-registered safety officer, competent designers, first aid training, statutory inspections, mandatory training, medical certificates of fitness, PPE, dust mitigation, public protection, employee facilities, and relocation of underlying services.
• The Principal Contractor must appoint a full-time competent Construction Manager, a SACPCMP-registered Construction Safety Officer (full/part-time), and Construction Supervisors.
• A detailed, site-specific Health and Safety Plan must be submitted and approved before any work starts. The plan must cover objectives, scope, risk assessments, safe work procedures, emergency plans, PPE, training, and numerous other elements listed in the document.
• The Principal Contractor must maintain a Health and Safety File on site containing all relevant documents, which becomes the property of the Client upon project completion.
• Specific legal appointments must be made in writing for roles such as excavation supervisor, fall risk protection supervisor, firefighting equipment inspector, risk assessor, and many others as per the regulations.
• Where more than 20 persons are employed, OH&S representatives must be appointed (1 per 50 employees). An OH&S committee must be established and meet monthly if two or more representatives are appointed.
• All incidents and accidents must be reported, recorded, and investigated as per the Act. Fatality or disabling incidents require a report to the Provincial Director.
• The Principal Contractor must provide suitable fire extinguishers, manage smoking in designated areas, store flammable products safely, and have a hot work permit system.
• A competent electrician must be appointed to ensure safe electrical installations and inspect all exposed cables.

The CHSS includes chapters on Waste Management and Environmental Management.

The Principal Contractor's organogram must outline the site safety, health, and environmental management structure.

For work on greenfield sites, the induction must include control measures for exposure to snakes, such as animal and plant search and rescue, active monitoring, appropriate PPE, and sourcing a snake catcher if required.

The Client has appointed an Agent responsible for approving H&S Plans and monitoring the Principal Contractor.

The Client or its Agent is not responsible for any acts or omissions of any contractor resulting from the application of the CHSS.

The Principal Contractor must enter into a Mandatory Agreement with the Client (Section 37(2) of OHS Act) and ensure all sub-contractors also enter into such agreements.

When appointing other contractors, the Principal Contractor must include in the agreement the Section 37(2) Mandatory Agreement and details of Section 16(2) appointees.