Construction industry MAKING SAFETY WORK

The Health and Safety Executive (2014) report that the UK construction industry only employs approximately 5% of the UK workforce, but disproportionately accounts for 31% of fatal injuries, 10% of reported major/specified injuries and 6% of over-7-day injuries to employees. In the period 2013/14 there were 42 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry and 592 000 working days were lost due to workplace injury, a total of 1.1 days lost per worker. All these statistics make for unpleasant reading, and also make construction one of the most dangerous industries to work in within the UK. 

The temporary nature of construction sites makes them one of the most dangerous places to work. These regulations are made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and are designed specifically to promote safety at work in the construction industry. Construction work is defined as any building or civil engineering work, including construction, assembly, alterations, conversions, repairs, upkeep, maintenance or dismantling of a structure. 

In considering safe working and accident prevention in the construction industry, this chapter will follow broadly the progression of a construction operation. All stages should be adequately planned making allowance for the incorporation of safe working methods and safe systems of work. As work gets under way on the site, care should be taken to ensure that all those employed are properly trained in the jobs they have to do. This may be particularly difficult if much of the work is subcontracted, but the onus of responsibility for safety on the site rests with the main contractor. 

Because a number of safety standards are available for fall protection equipment manufactnre and nse, it can be difficnlt to determine which standard should be followed, depending on the work being performed and the type of structure involved. For example ANSl/ASSE A 10.32-2004 Fall Protection Systems - American National Standard for Construction and Demolition Operations is followed by many people in the construction industry and by mannfactnrers who make equipment for the construction industry. 

We want to make sure that the residential construction industry has every opportunity to successfully come into compliance with the new directive, said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. I am confident that this phase-in period will provide employers the additional time and flexibility they need to alter their work practices in accordance with the requirements of the new directive. ... 

If your career in the electrical industry is to be a long, happy and safe one, you must always wear appropriate PPE such as footwear and head protection, and behave responsibly and sensibly in order to maintain a safe working environment. Before starting work, make a safety assessment what is going to be hazardous, will you require PPE, do you need any special access equipment Construction sites can be hazardous because of the temporary nature of the construction process. TTie surroundings and systems are always changing as the construction process moves to its completion date when everything is finally in place. 

This checklist is by no means all-inclusive. There are number of checkhsts offered by various Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), federal and state. The idea of this checkhst is to add or delete items that apply to your facihty however, carefully consider each item as you come to it and then make your decision.You also will need to refer to OSHA standards for complete and specific standards that may apply to your work condition. (Note This checklist is typical for general industry but not intended for construction or maritime.) (Small Business Safety and Health Management Series, OSHA 2209-02R, 2005)... 

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