26th October 2010, 08:20 PM
It's usually fairly obvious after a quick look around a new site if it's likely to be a rat haunt, but then I suppose that comes with experience and getting into the minds of the little b***ers. Dunno what other units do these days but here anyone going out to do a site recce has a multi-page form to fill in covering any hazards the combined disturbed minds in the office have managed to think up over the years (and a few nasty surprises we've experienced or read about), any former land uses, visible signs of services (remember to look up!), any biohazards, sharp things, potential chemicals/hazardous materials, uneven/tricky terrain, accessibility (for emergency services as well), safety of access, tricky turn-ins (police hate it when you block a main road with a jammed low-loader), tricky plant life, stuff like being downwind of a firing range etc etc. No fun any more but suppose have a pretty good safety record so far. Hope everyone does this! :face-approve: