Building shores are essential temporary structures designed to support elements of a building during construction, repair, or alteration. Their preparation requires careful attention to safety, selection of appropriate equipment, and adherence to best practices to ensure structural stability and worker protection. In Kenya, institutions such as county referral hospitals, schools, banks, and retail businesses engage in building activities where proper shoring practices safeguard both personnel and property. This chapter focuses on the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for safe operations and the tools and equipment used in shoring.

4.1 PPEs

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical in construction and building environments to minimize the risk of injury or exposure to hazards. In Kenya’s diverse workplaces, from county government offices to agricultural cooperatives, the use of PPE is mandated by safety regulations and institutional policies. Understanding the types and correct uses of PPE during shoring activities helps workers maintain safety and comply with legal requirements.

4.1.1 Types of PPE

PPE encompasses various gear designed to protect different parts of the body from specific hazards encountered during building shore preparation. The most common types found on construction sites include:

Head Protection

Hard hats or helmets protect workers from falling objects and collisions with fixed structures. For example, employees installing shores at a university undergoing classroom expansion must wear helmets to prevent head injuries from accidental impacts.

Eye and Face Protection

Safety goggles and face shields guard against dust, flying debris, and chemical splashes. At a county hospital undertaking renovation, staff use goggles when cutting timber for shores to prevent eye injuries from wood chips.

Hand Protection

Gloves of different materials are used depending on the hazard, heavy-duty leather gloves for handling rough timber or chemical-resistant gloves when working with preservatives. Workers at a retail warehouse constructing temporary shelving use gloves to avoid splinters and cuts.

Foot Protection

Safety boots with steel toe caps protect feet from heavy falling objects and punctures. Farm workers building temporary storage sheds wear such boots to prevent foot injuries from nails and dropped tools.

Respiratory Protection

Dust masks or respirators are necessary when sanding wood or working in dusty environments to prevent inhalation of harmful particles. Employees at a SACCO office constructing a temporary partition use dust masks during drywall sanding to protect their lungs.

4.1.2 Uses of PPE

The effectiveness of PPE depends on correct selection, fitting, and usage aligned with the hazards present in the shoring work environment. PPE serves multiple functions in building shore preparation:

Hazard Mitigation

PPE provides a barrier against physical, chemical, and biological hazards common in construction sites. For example, gloves and masks reduce exposure to splinters and dust during timber cutting at a TVET college workshop.

Compliance with Safety Regulations

Wearing PPE fulfills legal requirements set by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) in Kenya, ensuring organizations like county government offices avoid penalties and maintain safe workplaces.

Enhancing Worker Confidence

Proper PPE use enables workers to perform tasks more securely and efficiently, as seen at a hotel undergoing renovation where staff felt safer erecting shores while wearing full protective gear.

Reducing Accident Severity

In the event of incidents such as falling objects or slips, PPE minimizes injury severity, lowering medical costs and downtime at institutions like banks constructing temporary offices.

Promoting Safety Culture

Consistent PPE use fosters a culture of safety awareness and responsibility among workers within cooperatives and retail businesses, improving overall project outcomes.

Chapter Summary

This chapter covered the essential personal protective equipment required for safe handling and installation of building shores, detailing various types and their specific uses. It then examined the tools and equipment necessary for shoring work, explaining different types and how they are applied in practice. The chapter also explored the materials used in shoring, including their types, preparation methods, and the importance of selecting appropriate shapes and sizes. It emphasized that building shores must be sized according to the specific requirements of the work to ensure stability and safety. Procedures for the proper erection of shores were outlined, followed by the steps involved in their safe dismantling. Finally, the chapter discussed best practices for storing shoring materials to maintain their condition and usability for future projects.