Common Risks On the Construction Site

What Is Construction Site Safety?

Anyone controlling construction sites has health and safety responsibilities. Checking that working conditions are safe before work begins and ensuring that the proposed work is not going to put others at risk requires planning and organization.

Everyone should understand how work is to be done and should be aware of relevant safety precautions that need to be observed.

What Are The Risks On Construction Site?

Construction sites can be dangerous places but because people are used to working there they can get used to or even ignore the potential dangers.

Most construction sites will have lorries and a variety of machines working on them that have the potential to injure and kill pedestrians, especially when they are reversing or turning. Other risks include:

• A build-up of combustible materials can lead to fires
• Waste food left to accumulate can attract rats and mice which can bring disease
• Trips and falls over materials and tools or on wet or icy floors can cause serious injuries
• Vehicle collisions with structures or other vehicles
• Noise can be a major hazard; excessive noise causes long-term hearing problems and can be a dangerous distraction, the cause of accidents!
• Extremes of weather can lead to exhaustion, exposure and a lack of concentration or awareness as a result
• Dust produced can be a toxic mixture of hazardous materials and fibers that can damage the lungs, leading to diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary, asthma and silicosis
• Manual handling injuries

What Does The Law Say?

HASAWA 1974 places a general duty on employers ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ to protect the health, safety, and welfare at work of all employees through:

• safe plant and systems of work;
• safe methods for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;
• necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision;
• a safe and well-maintained workplace, including safe access and egress;
• a safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities