Site Safety in Construction: The Definitive Guide for Excellence

CMT is committed to promoting site safety in construction. We have published our definitive guide for health and safety in the construction industry. 

  Working in construction presents a host of risks to workers health and safety. The fast-paced, busy and ever-changing environment of most construction sites makes it a prime location for accidents to happen. Where there is so much variety on-site and no two days look the same, the risks can quickly end up being overlooked; this is where accidents happen. More than just immediate risk on site, there are often several health and safety risks that take longer to become apparent. As a result, these risk can often be overlooked.  

What are the health and safety hazards in the construction industry?

Working in construction is demanding and presents a host of risks that most other professions will never have to take into consideration.  The variety of possible hazards means that it is vitally important that health and safety checks are carried out to the best possible standard.  All those working on-site understand the risks and are effectively trained to avoid them, and are in a fit state to navigate them safely.  

Where can I find health and site safety legislation?

  You can find legislation for health and safety in the workplace on the government website. Here you’ll find specific regulations to be followed for particular circumstances. They include the Work at Heights Regulations 2005, The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These regulations illustrate both the employer and employees' expectations when acting under health and safety law. Employers are expected to carry out the regulations following the law. They are responsible for ensuring the workplace conforms to these standards. All legally required equipment must be provided for employees. It's important that these regulations are followed, to prevent all avoidedable accidents and injury in the workplace.  

What are the risks on Health & Safety non-compliance on site?

  Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations makes for a more efficient workplace. It also helps avoids the risk of heavy penalties. Compliance is an investment in your company and your people. An investment that pays for itself when standards are met and the workforce feels protected.  

Penalties and Fines

The most immediate repercussion for non-compliance with health and safety regulations are penalties and fines. These include:

1. Financial Penalties
2. Limitation
3. Barriers to approval
4. Prison

  If you aren't given a penalty for non-compliance, the cost of investigation will still be hard felt. This will cost time and money in the lead up to a decision.  The best way to avoid these repercussions is simply to ensure that you’re always complying with health and safety regulations and doing so in an organised and well-documented manner. Ensuring you have a detailed paper trail of your health and safety assessments and the actionable measures will protect your liabilities.  

Reputation Damage

Reputation and company image are crucial to keeping a company alive and prosperous. In the case of an investigation over allegations of health and safety non-compliance, your company will suffer reputational damage. This can be hard to recover from.  When hiring, people will look to past incidents and scandals to help guide their decision.  Company history marred by health and safety non-compliance investigations (whether negatively conclusive or not) can lead to people choosing to go elsewhere.     

How can I protect workers and the public on construction sites?

  Conducting business without risk to members of the public and other workers is expected by law. This means ensuring all measures are put in place to prevent a threat to the health of anyone on site reasonably. The project client should provide you with info on:

1. Boundaries
2. Adjacent land usage
3. Access
4. Measures to exclude unauthorised persons

  This will mean setting up defined boundaries and taking steps to ensure that unauthorised people cannot easily gain access to the site. Making the site well contained and secure, with plenty of safety signage, will significantly reduce the risk of accident and injury for everyone. Other things to consider when managing site access and setting up necessary precautions include:  

• What is the nature and type of construction work?
• How heavily populated is the area is?
• Who will need to visit the site during the work?
• Will the site attract children?
• What are the site characteristics (e.g. existing site boundaries, location, proximity to other buildings)

  These factors will further influence the measures taken to protect the public and other workers. For instance, sites located in densely populated areas usually require a fence of at least 2m in height. It's also important that measures implemented are maintained throughout the duration of building works.  Site access and borders that are neglected or left unchecked can lead to severe accidents and injuries.  

Why is site safety important for workers and the wider public?

  Vulnerable public members are of particular consideration and may need special attention when building works are underway.  Children, in particular, may find appeal in construction sites as places of play. This of course, must be prevented.  An average of 5 members of the public lose their lives on construction sites each year. This number is considerably smaller than injury and fatality incidents to site workers but is nonetheless a concerning number.  Entrances and perimeters should be secured and regularly checked. Security measures such as CCTV and alarms should be implemented.  Members of the public do not benefit from health and safety training as workers do. This means they won't have the knowledge required to navigate construction sites without supervision. The best way of avoiding accident and injury to non-workers is to ensure that they are kept out of the site.  

Safety and Informational Signage

  The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 requires employers to provide and maintain safety signage. This includes road signage to regulate traffic in the working area. Employers must also give practical information and training. For optimum results, safety signage should be colour coded and use simply imagery. The warning or advice should be universally recognised.  For example, a 'no smoking' sign is universally recognised. A cigarette crossed out with a solid red line makes the message clear.  

Safety Signage from CMT

  CMT stocks a comprehensive range of safety signage and also makes bespoke signs to order.