Construction work regularly tops the list as one of the most dangerous jobs to work in the UK and as an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your employees are as safe as possible.
Whilst accidents can and do happen, mitigating the risk will not only ensure you’re keeping your team working but that you’re keeping your project on track. With workplace injuries causing over 1.6 million lost workdays, it’s in everyone’s best interests to stay safe on-site.
How to Keep Your Employees Safe on a Construction Site?
Training
Regardless of the experience of the team, ensuring that every member of the team is trained on how to use and store each piece of equipment is essential. Training isn’t a one-time thing, and it should be ongoing throughout the project.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your workers are proficient in the areas in which they’re working, including basic first aid course training, and that they’re aware of the risk management and their own personal responsibility in limiting them.
Clothing
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential part of keeping employees safe on construction sites. From making sure they’re wearing Hi-Vis jackets to wearing protective equipment like hard hats and gloves. You can find PPE products here.
Regardless of whether it’s a commercial property or a domestic job, your team should wear protective gear that’s made from thick material that can protect the skin from cuts and scratches.
As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure that all employees have access to the correct PPE and that it is fit for purpose.
Signage
Construction is full of potential hazards that are both obvious and hidden. Before construction workers start work, you should ensure your site displays adequate signs that highlight the potential hazards.
Signs should be at eye level and use clear symbols that can be deciphered quickly. As the job site progresses signs may need to be altered or moved in line with new and emerging hazards. Regular site walks can help ensure signage is accurate throughout the project.
Health and Safety protocols
Should an accident occur on the site, you should make sure a dedicated Health and Safety officer is working on every shift. Every member of the team should know who the appointed person is for the shift, and what they should do.
They should also know where the First Aid Kit is located and if anything is used, it should be noted in an Accident Book and any equipment replaced.
With more and more people suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, and 50% of all work-related ill health attributed to mental illness, you might also want to consider appointing mental health first aid too. As a business owner, you should not work only for your operating profit, it is your responsibility to protect your employees from any type of danger.
