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 possible 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:
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.
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, and finally, incidents that cause employees to take more than a week off work due to an incident at work.
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.