How to achieve a 'Health and Safety Culture' in construction

 In recent years, many construction firms have taken great strides to improve their health and safety measures. However, instances of workplace injuries remain an ongoing issue for the industry, as new figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlight.

What laws govern health and safety?

A series of UK laws govern health and safety in construction from the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). More recently, the Building Safety Act 2022 added further duties to employers to ensure safer practices.

These laws establish the duties that employers have to protect the health and safety of their employees and everyone on a construction site. They compel basic protocols such as the requirement to have a written Health and Safety Policy (for firms with more than five employees), the carrying out of regular risk assessments and inspections, and providing proper information, training and instruction about workplace hazards.

What improvements are needed?

The latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures for 2023/24 offer insights into the current state of play regarding health and safety within construction firms.

The data reveals that the construction industry reported a significant number of work-related deaths, with more than half of these fatalities the result of falls from height. Workplace injuries also remain stubbornly high.

Create a health and safety culture

In addition to the human impact, workplace injuries contributed to an estimated 420,000 lost working days in construction over the past three years.

To combat the problems, it is important for firms to build a strong health and safety culture. This means making safety a core value, and putting it on the same priority level as efficiency and productivity.

In practice, employers can encourage open dialogue about health and safety so that employees feel empowered to report concerns. Furthermore, investing in training and high-quality protective equipment is essential to keep workers safe.

Health and safety best practice

Geotextile installation device

Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture has developed a geotextile installation device for improved safety and efficiency. This eliminates the need for workers to bend or manually kick rolls into place, thereby minimising slips, trips, and falls.

Skylight protection system

Morgan Sindall has devised a skylight protection system for enhanced visibility and fall prevention. To mitigate the risks of working at height, the company’s innovative skylight protection system enhances visibility and helps to prevent falls.

A step towards growth

Whether through new technologies or open dialogue, establishing a health and safety culture can ensure that protecting employees’ wellbeing is never seen as obstacle to growth.