Site Establishment Shop Fit-out Safe Work Method Statement

Barriers must physically prevent public entry, not merely warn of hazards - solid hoarding panels minimum 2000mm high represent the minimum acceptable standard in public areas. Panels should extend floor to ceiling where possible, or to maximum height preventing climbing. Construction materials include plywood, MDF, or steel-framed systems providing solid visual and physical barrier. Gaps between panels must not exceed 20mm preventing viewing of or reaching into construction areas. Bottom edges must seal to floor preventing children crawling beneath. Secure fixing to floor, ceiling, and walls prevents displacement from contact by shopping trolleys, crowds, or deliberate interference. Lockable access doors with self-closing mechanisms provide worker access while preventing doors being left open. Many shopping centres require printed graphics on barriers maintaining visual amenity and providing tenant branding or advertising. Some centres require transparent polycarbonate panels in strategic locations allowing visual connection while preventing physical access. Barriers must maintain fire compartmentation where fit-out area forms part of building fire safety strategy. Emergency egress widths must be maintained - typically 2400mm minimum for primary shopping centre corridors. Building Code requirements and shopping centre management specifications may exceed these minimums requiring specific materials, finishes, or configurations. Engagement with building management during planning ensures barrier specifications meet all requirements before installation commences.

Service isolation coordination must commence during pre-establishment planning meetings minimum 2 weeks before required isolation dates providing building management adequate notice for approvals and tenant coordination. Identify all services requiring isolation including electrical circuits, water supplies, gas lines, HVAC systems, fire protection, telecommunications, and security systems. Building management must approve isolation timing ensuring minimal impact on adjacent tenants and building operations. For electrical isolations, coordinate with building electrician to identify correct circuits - many commercial buildings have complex distribution with mislabeled or undocumented circuits requiring testing to verify isolation scope. Water isolations affecting multiple tenancies require notification to all affected parties minimum 72 hours before work. Fire protection system isolations require fire authority approval in many jurisdictions with compensating measures including fire watch personnel, enhanced suppression equipment, and restricted hot work during isolation periods. HVAC isolations affecting building air distribution require engineering assessment ensuring adequate ventilation maintained to unaffected areas. Telecommunications isolations require coordination with service providers and affected tenants - many businesses depend on continuous data connectivity for operations. Security system isolations including CCTV, access control, and intrusion detection require enhanced security arrangements during outage periods. Document all isolation requirements in written isolation request submitted to building management including isolation scope, timing, duration, verification procedures, and restoration plans. Obtain written approval before proceeding. During isolation period, maintain communication with building management and affected parties providing status updates and responding to any issues arising from service disruptions.

Building Code of Australia mandates minimum egress widths from all parts of buildings to fire-isolated exits and ultimate exits to open space. Primary circulation paths in shopping centres typically require 2400mm minimum width serving as both daily circulation and emergency evacuation routes. Barriers must not reduce these widths below code minimums. Measure actual corridor widths before and after barrier installation verifying compliance. Secondary corridors may permit reduced widths but must still meet minimum requirements for occupant load served. Fire exit doors must remain accessible, clearly visible with illuminated exit signs, and operable without keys or tools during building occupation. Barrier placement must not obstruct exit door swing or reduce discharge width. Fire equipment including extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants, and alarm call points must remain accessible with barriers positioned to maintain required access clearances. Travel distances to exits must not exceed code limits - verify barrier configuration does not extend travel distances beyond permitted maximums. Fire authority approval may be required where barriers potentially affect emergency egress - submit barrier plans to building surveyor or fire engineer for review before installation. Emergency vehicle access must be maintained for fire service attendance - verify barrier installation or material staging does not obstruct building entry points required for emergency response. Emergency lighting and exit signage must remain functional and visible - do not cover or obstruct with barriers or stored materials. For after-hours work when normal building lighting is reduced, ensure adequate temporary lighting along egress paths enabling safe evacuation if emergencies occur during construction periods. Conduct emergency evacuation drill with construction personnel familiarizing all workers with evacuation routes and assembly points specific to site location.

Shopping centre contracts typically include substantial financial penalties for violations of site rules, trading impacts, or safety breaches. Noise violations from work outside permitted hours or exceeding noise limits commonly incur penalties of $5,000 to $10,000 per incident. Dust or debris migration affecting tenant stock or trading areas may result in penalties of $10,000 to $20,000 plus costs of cleaning and compensation to affected tenants. Barriers removed or modified without approval, or inadequate barriers allowing public access to construction areas, typically incur penalties of $10,000 to $25,000 plus immediate work stoppage until rectified. Damage to shopping centre common areas including floors, walls, ceilings, or building services results in repair costs plus penalties often doubling the actual repair cost. Unauthorized service interruptions affecting tenant operations can result in penalties of $20,000 to $50,000 plus compensation to affected tenants for business interruption. Blocking fire exits or impeding emergency vehicle access may result in immediate work prohibition until rectified plus substantial penalties. Multiple violations or serious safety breaches can result in contractor being banned from shopping centre permanently affecting future tender opportunities across shopping centre owner's entire portfolio. Many major shopping centre owners share contractor performance information industry-wide - poor performance or violations at one centre can affect prequalification status across multiple shopping centre groups. Beyond contractual penalties, WHS breaches can result in regulatory action including improvement notices requiring immediate rectification, prohibition notices stopping all work until hazards addressed, and prosecution for serious breaches with fines potentially exceeding $150,000 for corporations and $50,000 for individuals plus legal costs. Incidents causing public injury create substantial civil liability exposure with compensation claims potentially reaching millions of dollars for serious injuries. Comprehensive planning, coordination, and compliance with all site establishment requirements is essential to avoid these consequences.

Temporary power distribution for shop fit-out work must be designed and installed by licensed electricians in compliance with AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules. Connection points must be approved by building management - unauthorized connections to building power can result in immediate disconnection and work prohibition. Typical connection methods include dedicated temporary construction power boards installed by building electrician, connection to existing power outlets in fit-out area verified adequate for anticipated loads, or temporary generator supply for sites without available building power. All temporary circuits must incorporate RCD protection rated at 30mA maximum providing electric shock protection for construction personnel. RCD devices must be tested daily before use and whenever circuits are re-configured or extended. Temporary distribution boards should be positioned centrally in work areas minimizing extension lead lengths and cable crossing points. Use industrial-grade spider boxes or distribution units with individual circuit protection and multiple outlet points. Extension leads must be rated for anticipated loads - typical 10 amp leads suitable for light tools only, heavier equipment requires 15 amp or 20 amp rated leads. Cables must be protected from damage using cable covers where crossing pedestrian paths, overhead routing where possible, or positioning along walls minimizing floor-level hazards. Cables crossing doorways or high-traffic areas require heavy-duty cable protectors preventing crushing damage and trip hazards. Never daisy-chain extension leads exceeding two total leads - excessive lead length creates voltage drop affecting tool performance and safety. Regularly inspect all temporary cables and equipment for damage including cuts to outer sheath, exposed conductors, damaged plugs, or water exposure. Immediately remove damaged equipment from service with 'DO NOT USE' tagging. Temporary power must be isolated when work areas unattended overnight - either lock distribution boards or disconnect from building supply preventing unauthorized equipment use or electrical faults occurring in unattended areas. Document temporary power installation showing circuit capacities, connection points, and RCD protection verification providing electrical safety verification for site records and building management review.