If you were to name work environments with high levels of health and safety, construction sites may not necessarily rank highly on your list. Being surrounded by metal tools and heavy machinery on a daily basis can present a number of health and safety concerns. There are steps you can implement to ensure health and safety is being taken seriously on your construction site.

The following changes need to be implemented ASAP if they aren’t already being done.

1. Inductions

As a brand-new employee, you must be thoroughly educated on the rules and regulations associated with working on a construction site. As well as being a legal requirement, they can ensure each worker is confident and capable of actioning the correct response in the event of an accident or emergency. It doesn’t need to take long or cost money. A simple guided tour and explanation of each rule is all it takes to prevent a number of nasty surprises down the line.

2. Training

As well as inductions for new hires, all employees must be subjected to in-depth health and safety training courses on a regular basis. There are several schemes available to provide you and your workforce with the appropriate certification or accreditation required to ensure you stand out from the crowd and stay ahead of the curve. To find out more about various online health and safety training courses or schemes and how you can qualify, visit an industry-leading course provider such as COSAC.

3. Cleaning

Housekeeping does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Tidying up may not be one of the most exciting jobs involved with working on a construction site but it is necessary to protect the health and welfare of you and your fellow employees. Keeping routes and walkways clear can prevent slips, trips, and falls and reduce the risk of fire. A designated site labourer or cleaning rota can ensure everyone does their bit to protect themselves and others and ensure construction site safety. 

4. Inspections

Regular inspections can be a great way to pick up on any problems or shortcomings associated with the construction site. Whether you extend your budget to include an external health and safety manager or carry out inspections in-house, an experienced consultant will be able to identify poor practice or unsafe working conditions and take the appropriate steps to rectify the problem as soon as possible. There is no universal timeframe, but experts tend to recommend weekly or bi-weekly site inspections.  

Construction sites can be a dangerous place, but they do not need to be unsafe. Putting measures in place to protect the health and safety of the entire workforce can save time and money in the long run and enhance your reputation within the industry. There are a number of different ways you can implement the highest degree of health and safety on your construction site from employee inductions, thorough health and safety training, a regular housekeeping schedule, and weekly site inspections.