Organization of Laydown Yard Toolbox Talk

Importance of Organized Laydown Yards Safety Talk

If you work on construction sites, you know the laydown yard is typically one of the most cluttered spaces. A messy laydown yard isn’t just a sight for sore eyes, it can also present a number of safety hazards.

In this toolbox talk, we’ll cover hazards found on laydown yards and how to eliminate them, as well as best practices for keeping laydown areas organized.

What is a laydown yard in construction?

A laydown yard (also called a laydown area) is a designated location on a construction site where tools, materials, equipment, and vehicles are stored temporarily when they are not in use. Laydown areas are most common on construction sites, but other industries like manufacturing or oil field operations use the term as well.

The surface of a laydown yards is usually covered with rock or gravel to ensure accessibility and safe transport and unloading of vehicles.

If you are unfamiliar with where the laydown area on your jobsite is located, ask a supervisor or a coworker to show you.

Hazards of laydown areas

There’s a long list of hazards that can be found on or around a laydown yard. The types of hazards you'll find depends on what is being stored in the laydown yard and the operations that are taking place on the construction site.

Some of the common hazards that you should be aware of are listed below.

Slip, trip, and fall hazards

Some of the most common hazards of a disorganized laydown area are slip, trip, and fall accidents.

When an item is stored in a laydown area, it needs to be organized in an area that is up and out of the way of traffic. Workers should be able to navigate the yard and walk through to retrieve what they need without tripping over items that are out of place.

Struck-by hazards

Equipment often moves in and out of the laydown area throughout the day. Moving equipment presents a struck-by hazard for any worker or visitor that is in the area at the same time.

Biological hazards

When you think about worksite hazards, insects and animals may not normally come to mind. However, in the laydown area, it is not uncommon to see critters crawling around.

Wildlife can include snakes, ticks, spiders, bees, wasps, raccoons, and other animals that are looking for food or shelter. Small spaces created by equipment and materials make perfect hiding places for these little guys.

Theft

Although construction site theft is not a true safety hazard, it is a common occurrence to be aware of in laydown areas. Materials, pieces of equipment, and vehicles are often left unattended, making them an easy target for thieves if the jobsite isn't properly secured.

Property damage

Property damage is also not generally considered a safety hazard itself, but it can easily lead to one.

Property damage often occurs when vehicles or equipment are being moved. Moving vehicles can strike or run over items that are not stored and organized properly, or operators may accidentally damage items if they are not paying attention or acting unsafely.

If tools, materials, or equipment are damaged in the laydown area and workers unknowingly use them, this could lead to injury.

Hazard elimination in laydown areas

If you are looking for ways to make sure the laydown yard where you work is hazard-free, check out these tips for eliminating the hazards mentioned above.

Preventing slips, trips, and falls & struck-by hazards

Good housekeeping and proper organization will eliminate most slip, trip, and fall hazards. A laydown area that is organized and clean will also help prevent struck-by accidents between workers and objects.

Preventing biological hazards

Biological hazards are difficult to avoid, but if you inspect your items before moving and using them, you should be able to notice any insects or animals before you are bitten or injured by one.

Preventing theft

Theft cannot always be avoided, but you can help prevent it by keeping the jobsite secure and locking vehicles at all times. Keep your eyes and ears open if you hear of anything missing and never discuss what is kept on your jobsite with outsiders.

Preventing property damage

Property damage can be reduced if you and your coworkers keep the laydown area organized and neat. If items are where they should be, the chance of running them over or hitting them while moving vehicles or equipment is reduced.

Organization best practices for laydown yards

Most of the time, a foreman or supervisor has already organized a laydown area in the way that will work best for the jobsite. However, it is essential that all the workers help maintain it.

Laydown yards can be small and fully packed with tools, materials, and equipment. There are constantly things moving in and out and around the yard, so sometimes it is hard to see how to set the area up to benefit everyone.

Some of our best practices for staying organized are:

• Make sure there is plenty of space between heavy equipment and materials that are moved frequently.

• Place items that are not needed soon or items that are rarely used out of the way.

• Make sure there are walking paths for all workers to access the areas and materials needed.

• Use caution tape and barriers to keep people and visitors out of hazardous areas and where the heavy equipment may be moving.

• Discard any trash or items that are unrepairable to avoid clutter.

• Put things where they go as soon as you are done with them—don’t wait until the end of the day.

• Inspect and reevaluate the area routinely to see if the organization can be improved.

Keep laydown yards organized and safe

Laydown areas and yards are often neglected because many workers simply do not see the importance of keeping up with them. With neglect comes unnecessary hazards that can result in injuries to you and your coworkers that are in the area.

Do your part in keeping the laydown area neat, clutter-free, and safe.