Construction accounts for over 3 million jobs in the UK and contributes more than £110 billion annually to the economy. Several laws and regulations protect this invaluable industry. However, the construction sector remains one of the most risk-riddled and accident-prone work environments.
The Health and Safety Executive recorded 40 work-related fatalities to construction workers between 2019 to 2020. The number is much higher for non-fatal injuries, with 61,000 incidents occurring within the same period. Additionally, there were approximately 81,000 occupational illnesses, both new and long-standing.
The health and safety of workers should be among your top priorities, especially where building projects are concerned. Accidents happen when least expected and could occur while doing mundane activities such as changing lightbulbs or climbing ladders. Therefore, employers must conduct a thorough risk assessment of the premises to identify workplace hazards and come up with measures to minimise them.
But where should you start? Here are four fundamental elements to consider when working on building projects.
1. Lifting and Moving Heavy Objects
Frequent carrying, lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects could lead to severe injuries or potentially debilitating health conditions. The HSE reports that 19% of non-fatal injuries in the workplace from 2019 to 2020 were due to manual handling.
Improper manual handling causes superficial injuries, such as sprains, tears, bruises, or long-term damage, like musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, long-term injuries that have disabling effects may result in mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
So, how do you reduce the health and safety risks caused by repetitive strenuous activities? Every worker should have the right manual handling skills and techniques. There are several training courses available, but we will take a quick look at the basic dos and don’ts.
When carrying a heavy object, workers should move smoothly to maintain control, put the load down if needed, keep their head upright, and use their body’s own weight to push and pull. They should avoid twisting and bending their back, refrain from carrying loads that obstruct their line of vision, and keep from lifting load above their shoulders or dropping it below their waist.
2. Beware of Electricals
Electricity has countless benefits, but so are its hazards – from burns to electrocutions to fire and explosions. The HSE reports that contact with electricity or electrical discharge accounts for 4% of fatal injuries to construction workers in the UK between 2019 to 2020. On average, around 1000 work-related electrical accidents happen in the country each year.
Most accidents are due to direct or indirect contact with overhead cables and underground power lines. Many electric shocks are due to electrical charges from poorly maintained equipment. The use of unsuitable electric tools in wet areas and machinery inadvertently touching a live source also lead to some electrocutions. Some of these accidents involve untrained workers doing electrical tasks on building projects. Aside from electrical and thermal burns, electric shocks can result in loss of muscle control, which may cause a worker to fall if he or she is working at a height.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires employers to ensure the safety of employees working with electricity. To comply with the legislation, you must conduct routine Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) of all electrical devices in the workplace. A PAT inspection determines whether the appliances and equipment are in good condition and safe to use. This procedure reduces the risks of injuries and fires.
In addition to regular maintenance, you should ensure that workers use the equipment and machinery only for their intended purposes. Furthermore, every employee should know how to operate electrical equipment safely and correctly. Taking an online PAT testing course can help in getting up to scratch. Also, be sure that cables, plugs, sockets, fittings, and electrical installations can withstand the rigorous working environment. Machinery must have an accessible emergency switch to disconnect power quickly if an incident happened.
3. Wearing Correct Protective Equipment
Many hazards in construction work are unavoidable. However, you can mitigate the risks by using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace. The legislation requires employers to provide their employees with the necessary protective gear for free.
PPEs include specialised gloves, safety helmets, earmuffs, safety footwear, goggles, and high-visibility clothing such as reflective vests. Workers who perform their tasks at elevated levels (i.e., roofers) must wear safety belts and harnesses to buffer the effects of an accidental fall. Those exposed to industrial sprays, fumes, particulate materials, and hazardous substances such as asbestos should wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to reduce harm to the lungs. Face shields and visors keep splashes of corrosive liquid, projectiles, dust, vapours, and radiation away from the face and eyes. Employees working with electricity should wear flame-resistant (FR) clothing to protect them from exposure to electric arcs or flames.
When selecting PPE, you should look for products with a CE mark. It indicates the PPE complies with the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018. Be sure to choose the correct fit, size, and weight for safe and convenient use. Lastly, provide the appropriate training to workers on the proper usage of their PPE.
4. Things to Consider When Working from a Height
The HSE lists fall from a height as the number one cause of deaths in the workplace. It makes up 47% of work-related fatalities in construction from 2019 to 2020 and accounts for 19% of non-fatal injuries. A fall even from six feet high can result in dire consequences, such as fractures and head injuries, even death.
To protect these employees, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 created guidelines to minimise the risks. The best way to prevent accidents is to avoid working at heights whenever possible. It means workers should complete the task from the ground whenever possible. However, if working at heights is unavoidable, ensure that the employees are competent and qualified to perform the job.
You should provide the right equipment (sturdy, stable, and secured ladders and scaffoldings) and utilise safety measures such as guard rails and scissors lifts. Require workers to wear the appropriate protective gear such as harnesses and safety belts. Furthermore, employees should receive training on the risks of working at heights and the various way to counter the hazards.