Following health and safety policies and procedures on construction sites is crucial to maintaining a safe working environment. According to HSE here, in 2020/21, there were 39 fatal injuries to workers in construction, the average over the last five years being 36, highlighting a growing need for businesses to re-evaluate current protocols. In this post, we look at various health and safety procedures examples, examining why following them is so important in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both construction workers and the general public. 

Common Construction Site Hazards 

Workers on construction sites will come into contact with a variety of common workplace hazards on a daily basis. 

 Types of risks are dependent on the work being carried out, and can range from common workplace hazards slips, trips and

falls, to managing asbestos and airborne fibres and materials. 

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), everyone involved in a construction project has legal duties, these ‘dutyholders’ are defined as client, designer, principal designer, principal contractor, contractor and worker. 

Training 

Many construction site incidents occur due to inadequate worker training on tasks before a project has begun. Through effective training, employers can educate workers on the risks they are undertaking,

ensuring they are fully aware of the potential dangers caused by not following health and safety procedures. 

Quality of Equipment 

A construction worker's tools are their best friend, they know them inside and out and spend valuable time mastering their use, but, often, the quality of those tools doesn’t meet the standards of best practice. 

Ensuring the tools provided to workers are safe and of the best quality, can avoid accidents and reduce workplace risks. 

Whether it’s a tile cutter or a road compressor, Paragon knows that ensuring equipment is maintained to the highest standard is crucial in ensuring a project runs smoothly.

That’s why all of our tools are tested and cleaned before every hire, ensuring the product is fit for use as soon as it enters a site. 

Health and Safety Doesn’t Just Mean Accidents 

When we say workplace health and safety, it’s easy to just think of everyday accidents like slips, trips and falls, but health and safety protocols also account for long-term health issues caused by prolonged exposure to risks. 

Long-term illnesses include occupational deafness, mesothelioma - a cancer caused by prolonged asbestos exposure, carpal tunnel syndrome and dermatitis. 

Implementing adequate health and safety procedures on a construction site results in a decrease in risk to workers, both in the short and long-term. 

Consequences For Businesses 

Failing to follow health and safety procedures can lead to multiple consequences for businesses. Neglecting procedures often results in high legal costs, fines, and the possibility of a jail sentence. 

Ignoring the importance of health and safety procedures can also lead to a decrease in worker productivity, with jobs taking longer due to a lack of training and adequate project management. Everyone should feel safe at work, showing your employers that their safety matters to you is key to ensuring a positive, healthy working environment.

Managing the Risk

According to HSE here, the risks of ill-health can be managed by following some essential common principles, these include: 

• ‘Ill-health can be prevented’ - it is possible and practical to carry out construction work without causing ill-health. 
• ‘Treat health like safety’ - managing health risks is no different to managing safety risks. 
• ‘Everyone has a role to play’ - everyone involved in construction has a responsibility in managing risks to health. 
• ‘Control the risk, not the symptoms’ - monitoring and health surveillance programmes are not enough on their own.
• ‘Manage risk, not lifestyles’ - the law requires steps to be taken to prevent or control work-related health risks. Helping workers tackle lifestyle issues like smoking or diet may be beneficial but doesn’t substitute risk prevention. 

Consider Paragon Tool Hire Today

At Paragon Tool Hire, we understand the importance of following health and safety procedures on construction sites.  We are Buckingham’s independent tool and plant hire company, with a range of lighting and heating products to ensure your construction site operates safely. View our extensive range of products here. If you have any more questions about on-site safety procedures, give us a call today on 0800 640 9878 to speak to a member of our expert team. Our local and friendly service is exactly what you’re looking for. We look forward to hearing from you.