A contractor's safety checklist is important when it comes to construction. It ensures that the correct items are checked off as a part of engaging new contractors and compliance, site inductions, risks, and emergency procedures are accounted for.
Contractor safety checklists are used to ensure that a consistent set of steps is acknowledged and actioned. It is important to manage the risks caused by contractors due to their operations.
This is because it forms an essential part of the health and safety system and improves training standards for contractors.
Throughout this blog, we will be discussing what a contractor safety checklist is and much more. For more information, read on.
What is a Contractor Safety Checklist?
A contractor safety checklist is a document that is used to identify potential risks associated with tasks. It is also used to perform regular equipment checks and implement safety measures in the workplace.
Without a contractor safety checklist in place, the workplace would be deemed unsafe. The checklist also ensures that all procedures are followed safely.
When working on a construction site, there are many risk factors, such as electrical work, scaffolding, welding, transport, and much more. This is why a contractor safety checklist should be in place at all times, especially in high-risk areas.
Why Is Health and Safety Important for Contractors?
Health and safety are important for all workplaces, especially in the construction industry. This is because it is a high-risk industry with many potential hazards.
If health and safety measures aren’t followed correctly, there is a higher chance that illnesses and preventable injuries could occur.
Health and safety measures are implemented to protect employees and others at work. Not only can failing to implement safety measures in your workplace lead to accidents, but the business could also be at risk of breaking the law.
How to Prevent Accidents in the Workplace
Working in a high-risk environment means that there are many hazards and risks. This is why it is important to follow health and safety guidelines to ensure site safety. There are many ways you can prevent accidents in the workplace, such as:
1: Wearing the Correct PPE
It is important when working in high-risk environments that you wear the correct PPE. This will help protect you from various hazards as well as give you extra protection in the event of an accident. Some examples of essential PPE equipment are:
- Face masks
- Safety Glasses
- Hearing protection
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Helmets
PPE protects you from any physical harm in the workplace that the environment may present. It is used to minimise exposure to hazards that cause workplace illnesses and injuries.
2: RIDDOR
RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations and ties into your usual practices, such as a risk assessment.
RIDDOR is used to report if someone has been injured or, in the worst case, died. It is the responsibility of all employees to report any injuries under RIDDOR.
When filling out a RIDDOR form, it is important to include all details of the accident, such as:
- The location of the incident
- The date and time of the accident
- Details of the accident
- The patient's personal information
Reporting an accident under RIDDOR ensures that the hazard is resolved and that it doesn’t happen again. Risk assessments and RIDDOR go hand in hand with other fundamental activities.
The main accidents that you need to report under RIDDOR are:
- Fatal injuries
- Occupational diseases
- Dangerous occurrences (near misses)
- Gas incidents
- Incidents that cause employees to take more than a week off work due to an incident at work
3: Gaining Accreditation
Accreditations are one of the best things you can gain to ensure contractor health and safety and should be on any contractor safety checklist.
At Beaconrisk, we can help you acquire the right accreditation for your business, whether it be the CHAS accreditation or the SafeContractor accreditation. Contact our team to learn more and to get the ball rolling on your accreditation journey.
What Are the Benefits of a Contractor Safety Checklist?
Now that you have a better understanding of what a contractor safety checklist is and how to prevent accidents, let’s explore the benefits of implementing this checklist in your workplace. Here are 3 benefits of a contractor safety checklist:
1: Increased Safety in the Workplace
One of the main benefits of a contractor safety checklist is the reduction of accidents in the workplace. These checklists provide workers with all the information they need to adhere to proper safety procedures.
Having a contractor safety checklist in place can help to minimise risks, reduce downtime caused by injuries and protect workers.
2: Increased Operational Efficiency
These checklists allow workers to work more efficiently with clear guidelines and expectations in place. This allows teams to focus on their main responsibilities without compromising or having to worry about safety.
3: Better Reputation
A contractor safety checklist shows that you prioritise workplace health and safety, which is important if you want to build a positive reputation. This checklist allows your company to demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
Stay Safe at Work With Beaconrisk
Here at Beaconrisk, we offer a wide range of services, such as e-learning and accreditation courses. One of the courses we offer is the workplace health and safety course.
By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of the health and safety legislation and you'll be able to list common causes of accidents.
You'll also be able to understand good practice in relation to electricity and describe the use of safe manual handling techniques as well as be able to describe good practice associated with COSHH regulations, be able to describe your action in the event of a fire and also you will know how to deal with an accident.
For more information on the services we offer, contact us today at 0151 647 8658. We look forward to hearing from you.