The Importance of Health and Safety Measures at Construction Sites

If you are responsible for the health and safety of a construction site, regardless of its size, you need to implement adequate health and safety measures to ensure everyone on site can benefit from the best protection available to do their job safely. Below, we’ll talk about the importance of health and safety in construction and how to maintain excellent safety standards across all your building projects. 

Why are health and safety important at construction sites?

Ensuring health and safety measures are in place is particularly important in the construction industry, especially due to the hazard-rich work environment. From working at heights to using lifting equipment and the potential fire safety risks associated with a large building project, there are many factors to take into account to be able to ensure the safety of the workers, contractors and visitors at a construction site. By implementing adequate safety measures, you ensure that:

• Everyone Stays Safe: The key reason for investing time and money in implementing occupational health and safety is to prevent accidents at work and reduce the risk of injury or death
• Compliance is Achieved: When you are responsible for a construction site, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that the workplace is safe from occupational hazards and fire risks 
• Legal Liability is Avoided: Injuries caused by accidents at work can cost companies thousands in lawsuits which is something that can easily be avoided if the right health and safety measures are in place 
• Productivity & Satisfaction Are Improved: When employers take an active interest in implementing health and safety measures at construction sites, it contributes to a positive workplace culture where employees feel appreciated. This helps increase their job satisfaction and productivity 
• Higher Efficiency is Reached: Allowing everyone to do their job safely helps projects go smoothly and reduces delays due to unexpected incidents at work, which improves the efficiency across the board

5 Health and Safety Measures To Implement at Construction Site

Now that we’ve discussed the “why”, here’s the “what” you should do to keep everyone safe at your construction site. Discover 5 of the most useful health and safety measures you should adopt:

1. Risk Assessment

To ensure that your construction site is safe, you must have risk assessments conducted regularly. These include a general workplace risk assessment and a fire safety risk assessment. Risk assessments usually follow a 5-step checklist to identify potential hazards as well as who could be harmed, evaluate the risk level and suggest ways to remove or contain the risk. Once you are aware of the risks, you can implement an effective risk management plan to safeguard your team.

Not sure if risk assessments are something you should worry about? Find out whose responsibility it is to conduct fire risk assessments here. 

2. Mission Statement

The mission statement is a vital document that offers  step-by-step guidance on how to implement HSE standards in all activities at your construction site. It includes details on the processes of how to safely use all equipment and machinery at work. The mission statement applies to both employees and contractors, so it’s a useful tool for everyone involved across the entire duration of the project. 

3. Safety Training

You should never assume that the people involved in a construction project are as familiar with the HSE standards as you would like them to be. To ensure everyone has an adequate understanding of the health and safety measures at their disposal, you should organise formal training sessions, including fire safety training and general health and safety training for new employees.

4. Top to Bottom Approach

Your management style can have a huge impact on the overall health and safety culture across your construction project. By providing the right tools and training to protect your employees and taking an active interest in the application of the health and safety measures in your risk management strategy, you show your workers that their safety matters. Leading by example creates an environment where the people you manage make a more conscious effort to follow the HSE standards and stay safe at work.

5. Wireless Fire Alarms 

To protect your construction site from fire incidents, it’s important to have the right fire detection and protection equipment in place, starting with a functional fire alarm system that covers your entire building site. Temporary fire alarms are a preferred choice in construction due to their flexibility, reliability and ease of installation. 

Want to know more? Check out the top 7 reasons to choose a wireless fire alarm for your construction site or explore the best ways to ensure the fire safety of your building project. 

Interested in implementing wireless fire alarm solutions on your construction site? Explore the wireless fire alarms range by Evacuator Site Alarms – the UK’s leading manufacturer of temporary fire alarm systems for the construction industry. Need advice? Contact us on 0330 135 5337 or at sales@evacuatoralarms.com to speak to a fire safety expert today.