Don’t Skimp on Health & Safety

The final instalment of the Definitive Guide to Health and Safety in the Construction Industry. CMT will cover the major health & safety risk facing the industry and how they can be best avoided.   

Working at height safely

HSE found in 2015/2016 that just over a quarter of workplace fatalities were caused by a fall from a height, resulting in the most common cause of fatality for workers. Those who must work at height, must understand the risks involved and should be adequately trained in order to mitigate the risks.  Read the full blog on working at height which includes details of the expectations lined out in the Work at Heights Regulations 2005.

Mitigating the Risk of working from heights

A risk assessment should be carried out before anyone climbs a ladder. This means, identifying the risks to those doing the work and those working in the general area. Avoid working from height at all costs, especially if it’s deemed unnecessary. As a result, this will eliminate the risk of injury or fatality from falling.

Falling objects

Falling tools was the third biggest workplace killer in 2017/2018. Accidents caused by falling tools are avoidable with tool tethers.

How to choose the right tool tether

• Choose a good quality tool tether, designed to handle the load of the item and one that wont snap under pressure. 
• Consider the max load of your tethers and make sure you they can handle your tools' weight, size or shape.

Tool and Personnel Tethers from CMT

As CMT is the leading supplier of products in the construction industry, it has meant we’ve built long-lasting and strong partnerships from the best worldwide brands. NLG are our choice for tool tethers, we also have a range of in-house brands so rest assured we’ve got you covered.   

How to ensure health and safety compliance in the construction industry. 

  A good safety record is an asset to any company. It helps you gain new clients and retain existing ones. As well as the financial benefits, a reputable health and safety record demonstrates an investment in the wellbeing of workers and the company as a whole. It also improves staff retention, enhances productivity, reduces overhead and generally generates a healthier bottom line.  Whilst employers have a moral obligation to their staff to ensure compliance, there is also a legal obligation. Health and safety compliance and maintenance are crucial to running a respected and sustainable business.

What does compliance look like?

  Having low incident numbers and a clean record doesn’t sufficiently demonstrate proper health and safety compliance. Health and safety needs to be actively and consistently considered in all activities. You’ll need a clear vision for what health and safety looks like within your business. This will ultimately help with implementation and getting everyone on board with your vision for health and safety. 

Those in senior and managerial roles on-site need to prioritise the protection and safety of their workforce.

Maintaining health and safety compliance should be an investment of both time and money, and it pays off.

• Invest inadequate training, information and assistance.
• Source reliable safety equipment and PPE. 
• Conduct health and safety compliance audits to monitor and review your protocols.

These measures may seem costly and even unnecessary, but they are an investment in your company and your people. Don't skimp on health & safety.