What is a Banksman in Construction?

In construction sites, the role of a banksman is crucial for maintaining safety and facilitating smooth operations. A banksman, also known as a signaller or signaller, is an essential construction team member responsible for coordinating the movement of vehicles, machinery, and equipment. They play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of workers and bystanders by guiding and directing the movement of heavy vehicles and equipment.

A banksman is a trained individual who collaborates with equipment operators and vehicle drivers to ensure their movements are carried out safely and efficiently. The primary responsibility of a banksman is to provide clear and concise signals to operators, alerting them to potential hazards and guiding them through restricted or obstructed spaces on construction sites. These signals are crucial for preventing accidents, collisions, and injuries.

Importance of Banksman in Ensuring Safety:

The presence of a skilled banksman on a construction site is of utmost importance for maintaining safety standards. Construction sites are dynamic environments with numerous hazards, mainly when heavy machinery and vehicles operate. The banksman’s role becomes critical in the following ways:

1. Accident Prevention: Banksman helps prevent accidents by communicating effectively with equipment operators and ensuring they know their surroundings. By guiding them safely through congested areas, blind spots, or tight spaces, banksman significantly reduces the risk of collisions and accidents.
2. Traffic Management: Construction sites often have a mix of vehicles and personnel moving around simultaneously. Banksman manages traffic flow, ensuring vehicles and pedestrians have a safe path to move and work without endangering each other.
3. Communication and Coordination: Effective communication between banksman and equipment operators is essential to avoid misunderstandings or confusion. Banksman uses standardized hand signals, radios, or other communication devices to relay instructions clearly, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Also, banksman is aligned with additional training, such as abrasive wheels training, for better communication.
4. Risk Mitigation: Banksman conduct risk assessments of the working area to identify potential hazards and take appropriate precautions. Their proactive approach helps prevent accidents and injuries before they occur.
5. Compliance with Regulations: Many regions have strict safety regulations governing construction site operations. Banksman helps construction companies comply with these regulations, reducing the likelihood of legal issues and penalties.

Responsibilities of a Banksman:

Traffic Management and Vehicle Movement:

A banksman in construction manages traffic flow on the site. They coordinate the movement of heavy vehicles, ensuring safety and preventing collisions with other cars and pedestrians.

• Directing Traffic: The banksman uses standardized hand signals, flags, or other communication devices to control the movement of vehicles. They guide drivers on the appropriate route, keeping in mind the site layout and safety considerations.
• Controlling Access Points: Banksman may control access points to the work site, ensuring that only authorized personnel and vehicles enter specific areas. They may also manage the entry and exit of construction vehicles, optimizing traffic flow.
• Implementing Traffic Plans: Banksman works with site managers and supervisors to implement traffic management plans. These plans outline designated traffic routes, parking areas, and safety zones to minimize congestion and maintain a safe environment.

Guiding and Signalling Machinery and Equipment:

Banksman signals machinery operators to navigate challenging terrain, tight spaces, and potential hazards. Proper signalling is crucial in preventing accidents and ensuring smooth operations.

• Hand Signals: Banksman uses standardized hand signals that equipment operators understand. These signals indicate directions, speed adjustments, stopping, and other necessary actions.
• Voice Communication: Besides hand signals, banksman may use verbal communication or radio devices to convey specific instructions to equipment operators, especially in noisy or distant work areas.
• Ensuring Clear Visibility: Banksman positions themselves strategically to have an unobstructed view of the equipment and the surrounding area. They maintain eye contact with operators to ensure effective communication.

Communication with Operators and Site Personnel:

Efficient communication is essential for the banksman role in ensuring safety on the construction site. They interact with equipment operators, other banksman, and site personnel to coordinate activities and address safety concerns.

• Pre-Operational Briefings: Before starting work, banksman may conduct pre-operational briefings with equipment operators. They review the day’s plan, potential hazards, and any specific requirements for safe operations.
• Coordination with Other Banksman: On more significant construction sites, multiple banksman may be required to manage different areas. Coordination between banksman is critical to ensure seamless traffic management and safety across the entire site.
• Emergency Communication: In case of emergencies or hazardous situations, banksman plays a crucial role in promptly alerting operators and site personnel. They may use emergency signals or radio communication to signal a stoppage or evacuation if necessary.

Training and Qualifications for Banksman:

Required Skills and Competencies:

Competent banksman in construction possess specific skills and competencies for ensuring effective communication, safe traffic management, and accurate signalling on construction sites. Some of these skills include:

• Communication Skills: Banksman must have excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills to relay instructions clearly and concisely to equipment operators and site personnel.
• Knowledge of Hand Signals: Using standardized hand signals is crucial for banksman to communicate with equipment operators, especially in noisy environments effectively.
• Awareness of Construction Site Hazards: Banksman should thoroughly understand potential hazards on construction sites to conduct risk assessments and implement appropriate safety measures.
• Observational Skills: Being attentive and observant allows banksman to identify potential risks and react quickly to changing situations.
• Teamwork and Coordination: Banksman often coordinates with other banksman and site personnel. Good teamwork and coordination skills are essential for smooth traffic management and site safety.

Certification and Industry Standards:

Banksman roles are subject to certification and training requirements in many regions to ensure competence and adherence to industry standards. Certification may include formal training, assessments, and evaluations.

• Accredited Training: Banksman training programs are typically offered by certified training providers or industry associations. These programs cover essential signalling, communication, and traffic management skills.
• National Safety Standards: Many countries have national safety standards or regulations that outline the required qualifications and training for banksman roles. These standards aim to standardize safety practices across the construction industry.
• Certification Renewal: Banksman certifications often require periodic renewal or refresher courses to ensure that individuals stay up-to-date with the latest safety practices and guidelines.
• Health and Safety Compliance: Banksman must be familiar with health and safety regulations applicable to construction sites and demonstrate compliance with these regulations during their training and work.
• Site-Specific Training: In some cases, banksman may undergo site-specific training to familiarize themselves with a specific construction site’s particular hazards and challenges.

Safety Measures and Best Practices:

Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification:

Before commencing any construction activity, banksman should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards on the site. This proactive approach allows them to implement appropriate safety measures and minimize risks to personnel and equipment. Hazards such as moving vehicles, blind spots, uneven terrain, overhead obstructions, and nearby pedestrians must be carefully assessed to develop effective safety strategies.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Banksman:

Wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is paramount for banksman to protect themselves from workplace hazards. The typical PPE for a banksman includes high-visibility clothing (vest or jacket), a hard hat, safety gloves, and steel-toed boots. The high-visibility dress enhances their visibility to equipment operators and other site personnel, reducing the risk of accidents.

Communication Protocols and Signals:

Apparent and standardized communication is critical for banksman to convey instructions to equipment operators effectively. Banksman uses a set of standardized hand signals widely recognized across the construction industry. These hand signals help guide operators through various manoeuvres, including forward, backwards, stop, and emergency halt. Additionally, banksman may use radios or other communication devices to maintain constant contact with operators and site personnel, ensuring effective communication even in noisy environments.

Conclusion:

The role of a banksman in construction is of utmost importance in ensuring safety and efficiency on construction sites. Their responsibilities encompass traffic management, guiding machinery, and effective communication with operators and site personnel.

Through proper training, certifications, and adherence to industry standards, banksman possess the necessary skills to conduct risk assessments, use standardized signals, and employ personal protective equipment. Banksman contributes significantly to accident prevention and a secure working environment by proactively identifying hazards and implementing safety measures.

Their dedication to safety and coordination ensures smooth operations, reducing the risk of incidents and injuries on construction sites. As a result, banksman continue to be indispensable assets to the construction industry, safeguarding the well-being of workers and maintaining the highest standards of safety.