Create and maintain site infrastructure and assets

This standard covers all the activities that may be required to create and maintain a site’s infrastructure and assets, together with the core requirements and responsibilities.

Activities could include creating and maintaining some or all of the following:
• site boundaries
• structures
• surfaces
• site furniture
• drainage

You could be working to a given specification that defines the methods to be used but you will be expected to determine how to carry out these methods on site.

You will need to take account of any restrictions affecting the work e.g. designated sites, presence of listed structures, wildlife, non-native invasive or protected species etc.

You are required to avoid or minimise damage or disturbance to the surrounding area including trees, other vegetation and wildlife and habitats and to ensure that other site users are not put at risk by your work.

When working with equipment and machinery or chemicals you must be appropriately trained, competent to carry out the activity being undertaken, and hold current certification where required, in line with the relevant legislation.

Your work must conform to all relevant legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance

Core requirements and responsibilities

1. obtain the relevant information on the requirements for maintenance, repair and improvement of site infrastructure and assets in accordance with organisational procedures
2. confirm that any permissions to carry out the work are in place and any requirements met
3. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
4. assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out, before starting work and throughout the activity, checking and confirming the findings of any existing risk assessments
5. select the safest working methods, making use of mechanical methods where this is safer, in accordance with the assessed risks and organisational procedures, and plan work accordingly
6. use appropriate methods to maintain effective communication with other workers and anyone else involved in, or affected by, the work, in accordance with industry guidance and organisational procedures
7. obtain the materials required for the work in accordance with organisational procedures
8. confirm that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out is worn at all times
9. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the tools and equipment required safely, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
10. confirm that all equipment has been checked, tested where required, and is fit for purpose in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer's instructions
11. maintain the safety and security of tools and equipment on site
12. handle, use and store hazardous substances in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
13. maintain hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, industry guidance and organisational procedures
14. carry out the required site maintenance, repair and improvement work safely and in accordance with information provided and organisational procedures
15. identify the need for further work and record and report this in accordance with organisational procedures
16. carry out cleaning to the standard required in accordance with the information provided and organisational procedures
17. remove all waste and surplus materials and deal with them in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

Construct and maintain site boundaries

1. when constructing new boundaries or access points, prepare the site in accordance with the type of boundary or access point and information provided
2. identify the proposed line for the boundary 
3. use appropriate materials and techniques to construct or maintain boundaries or access points in accordance with the information provided

Construct and maintain structures

1. when constructing new structures, prepare the site and provide suitable foundations in accordance with the type of structure and information provided
2. use appropriate materials and techniques to construct or maintain structures in accordance with the information provided

Create and maintain surfaces

1. when creating new surfaces, prepare the site and provide suitable foundations and drainage in accordance with the type of surface and information provided
2. use appropriate materials and techniques to create or maintain surfaces in accordance with the information provided

Install and maintain site furniture

1. when installing site furniture, select the most appropriate place to install the item, in line with site conditions and the information provided
2. use the appropriate materials and techniques to install or maintain site furniture in accordance with the information provided and ensuring the item is safely secured and fit for purpose

Install and maintain drainage

1. when creating or extending a drainage system, locate or position reference marks in accordance with information provided
2. use appropriate materials and techniques to install and maintain drainage systems, dealing with blockages and leaks and ensuring full capacity in accordance with information provided
3. deal with excavated material from drainage work in accordance with instructions provided and the relevant legislation

Core requirements and responsibilities
1. how to identify and access information relevant to the required work
2. the permissions, such as planning approval, that may be required before starting work and any requirements for materials or working methods
3. the importance of monitoring the condition of site infrastructure and assets to identify the need for maintenance, repair and improvement in accordance with organisational procedures
4. how to recognise and report when site infrastructure and assets are beyond repair and need to be replaced
5. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out and the importance of site-specific risk assessment and control measures that are appropriate for your area of work
6. the relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
7. the current legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, organisational policies, procedures and protocols, business and professional ethics relevant to your area of work, and to which you must adhere
8. the legal, industry and organisational requirements for training and certification to undertake the work activities required and the importance of acknowledging your limitations and not undertaking work that is beyond your level of competence
9. why it is important to maintain effective communication with other workers and anyone else involved in, or affected by, the work, and the methods of communication that should be used
10. how to obtain materials required for the work and how to ensure materials are available where and when required
11. the tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the work and how to select, prepare, use, carry out operator maintenance and store these safely, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer’s instructions, and organisational procedures
12. technology used in your area of work and how to use it
13. the importance of hygiene and biosecurity measures and how to apply these
14. the importance of cleaning as part of maintenance and how and when to do this
15. the safe use of cleaning materials and equipment and the legal requirements for storage and use of hazardous substances
16. the correct use of warning signs and barriers to inform and protect others while work is carried out
17. suitable methods for preparing the site prior to commencing construction work, the importance of checking for underground services and how this can be done
18. the correct methods of dealing with waste and surplus materials in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures
19. the importance of preventing pollution and damage to the surrounding area and the wider environment when carrying out work
20. your and the organisation’s responsibility for protecting the environment and working sustainably
21. the importance of checking that completed work meets requirements, in accordance with the information provided
22. the issues that can occur when carrying out maintenance, repair and improvement to a site’s infrastructure and assets, the actions to take and organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
23. the scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability
24. the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of documentation
Construct and maintain site boundaries and access points
1. the different types of materials used for boundaries and access points and the factors affecting the choice of these including their purpose, location, availability of materials and local traditions
2. the importance of adhering to boundary lines and how this can be achieved
3. the relevant regulations and standards relating to the construction of boundaries or access points, including building regulations
4. the techniques required to construct or maintain different types of boundaries or access points
Construct and maintain structures
1. the purpose structures are designed to meet and how this affects their construction and maintenance
2. the relevant regulations and standards relating to the construction of boundaries or access points, including building regulations
3. the materials and techniques required to construct or maintain different types of structures
Create and maintain surfaces
1. the different types of materials used for paths and other surfaces and the factors affecting the choice of these including their purpose, location and durability
2. why surfaces must be maintained and repaired and the potential problems if this is not carried out
3. the materials and techniques required to construct or maintain different types of surfaces
Install and maintain site furniture
1. the purpose items of site furniture are designed to meet and other factors that determine their siting
2. suitable methods for preparing the site and installing different items of site furniture safely and securely
3. why site furniture must be maintained and repaired and the potential problems if this is not carried out
4. the materials and techniques required for maintaining and repairing different items of site furniture
Install and maintain drainage
1. the different types of drainage systems and materials available and the principles of drainage design
2. the implications of terrain, soil texture and structure, season, weather and plant species when creating and maintaining drainage systems
3. the factors affecting flow rates in drains and the importance of drainage systems working efficiently and correctly
4. why it is important to locate or position reference marks accurately when creating or extending drainage systems, and how this can be done
5. the techniques used to create and maintain drainage systems and ensure their full capacity
6. the required method of disposing of excavated material from drainage work

Activities could include creating and maintaining:
·        Site boundaries – e.g. walls, fences, banks; access points such as gates, barriers, stiles
·        Structures – e.g. polytunnels, pens, sheds, huts, stables, buildings, hides, screens, raised boardwalks, pergolas, fishing platforms, bridges
·        Surfaces – e.g. include footpaths, tracks, bridleways, car parks, courtyards, steps
·        Site furniture – e.g. signs, display boards, notices, way markers, seats, benches, tables, bins, decorative items
·        Drainage – e.g. ditches, culverts, pipes

Drainage specification covering:
·        route
·        profile
·        depth
·        grade
·        flow rate
·        tolerance of specification
·        legislative and organisational environmental requirements

Maintenance and repair of paths and surfaces could include:
·        treatment of weeds
·        ensuring level and safe surfaces
·        clearing and cleanin
·        replacing and fixing damaged material
·        clearing snow and gritting

Paths and surfaces could include:
·        dirt tracks
·        bark paths
·        flagstone/paving slabs
·        aggregate paths
·        stone-pitched paths
·        boardwalk paths
·        tarmac

Types of material used for drainage systems:
·        concrete
·        clay
·        plastic
·        masonry
aggregate

Information required to carry out work activities could include:
• drawings
• plans
• schedules
• specifications
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s instructions
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• industry standards (e.g. British Standards)
• verbal or written instructions
• industry guidance (e.g. FISA)

Organisational procedures refer to procedures set by the organisation you are employed by or the organisation that you are doing the work on behalf of (the client or customer)

Safe System of Work (SSoW) – is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.