Why is Construction Safety Important?

April 2017

Health and safety is one of the most important considerations you should take before any construction project gets underway. You should always make sure that all aspects of health and safety have been considered before you step foot on the construction site. Health and safety in construction are particularly important because the industry is prone to hazardous situations and can be dangerous at times. Statistics show that 3% of all construction workers in the UK sustain a work related injury and around 4% are suffering from work related illness. This can lead to a huge loss in working hours and also mean that workers are unhappy within their job roles. There are some major reasons why health and safety is important in the workplace.

Injuries in Construction

Over the last year, there were 43 workers fatally injured in the construction sector, which is still an alarmingly large number. A large portion of accidents on the construction site were caused by slips, trips and falls, as reported by employers in 2015/16. But many people were also injured during lifting and handling or falling from a height on the construction site. This emphasises the magnitude of safety in construction and there are 2 ways that you can help to prevent these accidents from happening.

• Training – many accidents occur on the construction site because workers have not had the proper training before starting on a project. Effective training will make sure your employees are aware of the risks on the construction site.
• Tools – the right safety tools can also make a huge difference in the workplace and help to avoid any unnecessary accidents. Safety products such as fall arrest harnesses and safety clothing can help to reduce the risk in the workplace.

Businesses are Responsible

If you don’t have the correct health and safety procedures in place then you will most likely be breaking the law. This means that your business could be fined, sued or even banned from operating depending on the level of risk. If the HSE find that the construction site has not met health and safety regulations, they have the power to take action against your business. If an employee feels they have not received the proper health and safety training, they can inform the HSE who will investigate the issues. You may also face the problem of compensation if a worker is seriously injured on the construction site, and the project might even need to be halted for investigation.

Your Business Can Benefit

Not only is health and safety important to avoid injury, there are also plenty of other long term benefits that your business stands to gain. By implementing the right health and safety procedures, your employees are much more likely to be happier in their roles. If your workers have the right knowledge and tools, it can boost morale on the construction site and lead to better productivity. With less illness and injury you can also gain more productive working hours, which can lead to better profitability. In the long term you can also build a good reputation for your business and it will help to retain staff.

If you are looking for health and safety equipment then take a look at our range of products online. We provide a comprehensive range of health and safety products to make sure that you have the correct equipment and our team can advise you on the most suitable products and specifications for your business. We offer same day emergency delivery in London and next day delivery on our products nationwide.