Health and safety is important in all workplaces, especially for those working in construction. When a health and safety regulation applies to construction work, this is usually enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Health and safety regulations apply to every industry and are important considerations for any upcoming construction project. These health and safety regulations are there to help you to keep your workplace safe and to comply with the law.
Throughout this blog, we will be discussing why health and safety regulations are so important in construction, and the types of regulations to be aware of. Read on to understand the construction health and safety regulations.
Why Are Health and Safety Regulations So Important in Construction?
Health and safety regulations are important in all workplaces, especially in the construction industry. This is because construction work can be dangerous and prone to hazards and accidents.
Many accidents happen in this industry due to the health and safety standards not being followed correctly. There are a lot of health and safety risks when working on a construction site, which is why the Health and Safety Executive has made it mandatory to follow their guidelines.
Some health and safety risks when working on a construction site might include:
- Working at heights
- Operating machinery
- Inhalation of dust
- Lifting heavy objects
- Asbestos
- Slips, trips and falls
- Collapse
- Many more
- Fire
Likewise, on a construction site, there are often materials used that can harm our health. All members of staff must receive the correct training in health and safety to understand the importance of it as well as how they follow the rules correctly.
Types of Health and Safety Legislations in Construction
There are many types of guidelines that you need to follow when working in the construction industry. From first aid regulations to gas and electricity regulations, it is important that all members of staff have the correct training about all the legislations.
The Health and Safety First Aid Regulations
In any workplace, health and safety training courses are almost always required. Working in construction is considered a ‘high-risk environment’, so it is important that all members of staff have the correct knowledge and training on what to do in a situation where first aid is required.
Not only does having the correct knowledge on how to perform first aid allow you to help others in your workplace, but it also allows you to help people in everyday life.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
The construction design and management regulations (also known as CDM) apply to every construction project. CDM is a set of health and safety regulations that apply to every construction project.
The aim of the CDM regulations is to improve health and safety in construction work. It applies to all construction projects of any type including domestic projects.
The CDM requirements are not just the responsibility of one individual - employers, management and other team members need to work together to ensure that the job can be carried out safely.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RIDDOR stands for Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. This is an important legislation to follow in any workplace. For example, if something was to happen at work such as an injury or dangerous occurrence, then it may need to be reported under RIDDOR.
RIDDOR is also used for reporting near misses or potential hazards. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to have the correct training on what RIDDOR is and what to do when filling in a RIDDOR form.
There are many details needed to be included when filling out a RIDDOR form, such as the date and time of the accident, details of the accident, and the person's personal details.
You must always fill out a form if there is a near miss or an accident that has occurred in your workplace. This is to ensure that it doesn't happen again and the problem is resolved.
How Beaconrisk Can Help You
At Beaconrisk, we are health and safety experts - and can help you ensure your construction project is as safe as possible. Whether you’re looking for health and safety advice or would like to gain accreditation for your business, we can help.
Constructionline and SafeContractor are two accreditations that can boost your construction business - gaining one of these accreditations can not only improve your overall performance but increase health and safety across the board.
Contact us today to learn more about the different accreditations that could benefit your business, or to learn more about how we can help your business become as safe as possible.