Written by MEDITE SMARTPLY

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 demonstrates the duty of care that all construction companies and site managers are responsible for, which is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that both employees and the public are safe from construction work hazards.

Hoarding is a crucial part of this: not only does it shield site workers from outside debris, it also protects the public from construction work and vehicles and helps ensure authorised access only to site. With this in mind, many construction projects would not be able to even start without safe, adequate site hoarding securely in place.

SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT and SITEPROTECT PLUS OSB3 panels are specially developed by MEDITE SMARTPLY as site hoarding solutions to the five key hoarding considerations in one product:

1. Site hoarding needs to be strong and durable enough to provide a secure barrier and withstand adverse weather.

2. It should be quick and hassle-free to install, enabling your project start on time and progress efficiently, especially in current circumstances.

3. It should be adaptable to the site location.

4. It should adhere to the controlled access requirements of the site and be able to incorporate appropriate signage.

5. Finally, all site hoarding should always be aligned with the sustainability goals of the entire construction project itself, which can leave no room for illegally sourced tropical plywood, or boards which have unclear supply chains.

Whether your site is a luxury development with countless stakeholders or a socially responsible housing project, it needs to be secured against authorised access. Besides being exposed to vandalism, any building site is dangerous for laymen to walk through, which makes good quality site hoarding indispensable.

With security and durability in mind, SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT and SITEPROTECT PLUS can be produced in panels of up to three metres tall and is structurally sound, meaning it won’t bend, break or allow your site to become easily accessed by unauthorised people. Its smooth surface also provides no inconsistencies, holes or potential footholds.

For super quick installation allowing projects to get up and running efficiently after the recent lockdown, SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT is supplied to site pre-primed on the outward face, or in the case of SITEPROTECT PLUS, both faces or in a range of RAL colours upon request, saving time and labour onsite. It’s also available in thicknesses of 18mm and 16mm, for a lighter weight but just as durable option where ease of install is paramount.

Contractors can take advantage of the wider SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT and SITEPROTECT PLUS sizes available to cover more ground faster and at a potential cost saving, even if fewer workers are onsite. A wider panel can allow contractors to continue work together at a safe distance, adhering to government guidelines on Covid-19 safety. Depending on the site’s location, long stretches of perimeter can be hoarded in this way in record time, while locations where surrounding space is tight can make use of smaller panel sizes.

Signage on all hoarding is key both for site access points and safety information, which must both be clearly marked. However, branding and information for the local community is also increasingly important whatever the project. Both SITEPROTECT versions have been developed to provide a smooth, flat surface to allow suitable, clearly visible signage to be incorporated easily, and on both sides in the case of SITEPROTECT PLUS.

Finally, as site hoarding represents the entire project for the entire duration of the build, good sustainability credentials are vital, especially in today's increasingly environmentally conscious society. Guaranteeing a clear supply chain, SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT and SITEPROTECT PLUS are fully FSC® certified, made with the thinnings of fast-growing pine and spruce, essentially as a by-product of sustainable forestry practices in Ireland.

Visit the website for more details on hoarding solutions by MEDITE SMARTPLY: https://mdfosb.com/en/hoarding