Health and Safety in Construction
Being named one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, managing health and safety in construction is vital to ensuring your workers are kept safe from harm. Building sites pose a variety of risks, from dealing with heavy loads to working around potentially hazardous substances. The HSE reported here that, in 2021, 39 individuals working in construction suffered fatal injuries. This was up on the 36 fatalities that occurred on sites in 2016/2017. Here, we discuss the importance of following health and safety legislation in construction, from wearing protective equipment to adhering to safety practices.
At Drogheda Hire, we’re pleased to offer a range of site safety and personal protection equipment for hire, from portable traffic lights to pedestrian barriers. If you’d like to find out more about the site safety products we stock, please get in touch. Call us on 04198 414 19 and speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable team members today.
There is a multitude of tasks carried out on construction sites every single day that pose significant health and safety risks. These include:
- Working at height
- Operating machinery
- Handling heavy goods
- Working with hazardous materials
Health and Safety Legislation in Construction
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 aims to ensure that all employers provide a safe working environment. The 4 primary objectives outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act are:
- Employers’ responsibilities
- Employees’ responsibilities
- Relevant health and safety legislation
- Enforcement action you may face for negligence
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
In 2015, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 came into force to set out what people working in construction need to do to protect themselves from harm. The law applies to the entire industry and aims to help employers ensure that they’re:
- Thoroughly planning projects to ensure all risks are taken into account
- Employing the right workers for the job
- Providing the right information to workers about managing risks
- Communicating information effectively
- Consulting with workers at every stage
Managing Health and Safety in Construction
Managing health and safety on a construction site is a joint effort. The HSE states that before a project is set to begin, all parties involved should take the time to assess any potential hazards that may arise during the task. At Drogheda, we’re pleased to provide a variety of site safety tools to help you manage health and safety on your construction site. From PPE to keep your workers safe from harm to traffic management supplies, we’ve got everything you need to ensure a secure working environment. If you’d like to find out more about the security equipment we offer for hire, please get in touch.
We also stock a range of plant and tool hire options, all of which undergo stringent safety checks before arriving on site. For added peace of mind, choose Drogheda Hire & Sales today for your next big project.
Responsibilities of a Health and Safety Officer in Construction
The responsibilities of a health and safety officer in construction centre around implementing legislation on site and ensuring procedures are understood and followed. Specific responsibilities of a health and safety officer in construction include:
- Developing and implementing safety plans
- Conducting regular safety inspections
- Ensuring equipment is installed safely
- Providing adequate worker training on new procedures
- Recording and investigating any accidents and injuries that occur on site
- Reviewing and approving subcontractors’ safety plans
Health and safety legislation should be at the core of every construction company and every project they undertake. Once everyone on site has accepted and understood potential risks, they should do everything possible to mitigate and reduce those risks entirely.
Mitigating Health and Safety Issues in Construction
Communicate
Implementing health and safety procedures on site is one thing, but keeping the conversation surrounding construction safety going is another. As an employer, you should encourage open communication among your workers, ensuring people are aware of who to go to if they have concerns. Workers should know exactly what procedures to follow in the event of an incident, and how to avoid those accidents from happening again.
Equip Workers With The Correct Equipment
Managing health and safety in construction starts with equipping your workers with the correct, most efficient equipment for the job. At Drogheda Hire & Sales, we supply the latest, most efficient construction equipment and tools, so you can rest assured that your site is utilising the latest technologies. With over 30 years of experience as a leading tool hire centre, our staff are happy to provide tailored advice on the best hire options for your site. To find out more about our hire services, please get in touch.
Provide Training
Providing adequate training for your staff on a regular basis will not only minimise accidents but will also keep your staff engaged with best practices in relation to health and safety in construction. From short, snappy sessions on how to adequately protect yourself when working at height, to more in-depth demonstrations, training plays a crucial part in managing health and safety in construction.
If you’d like to find out more about how to best go about managing health and safety on a construction site, or to enquire about any of our site safety hire options, get in touch. Call us on 04198 414 19 and speak to one of our knowledgeable team members today.