Heath, Safety and Risk Management in Construction By Dave Allen and Paul Whitehead – licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution – Non-Commercial – Share Alike License

Introduction to Health, Safety and Risk Management in Construction Section 2: Health and Safety in the UK

Safety record The construction industry accounts for approximately 6% of working population account and for 31% of fatal injuries Construction workers are five times more likely to be killed than the average for all industries The rate of reported major injury is the highest of any industry group. Workers are twice as likely to sustain a major injury Health issues are also common with high incidences of a number of diseases

UK construction industry's safety record Fatal injuries Major injuries3-day injuries

UK construction industry’s safety record The most common kinds of reported injuries to workers in construction are due to: handling slips and trips falls from a height struck by moving/falling objects contact with moving machinery In comparison with other industries a much higher proportion of all reported injuries within construction are serious, i.e. the ratio of fatal and major injuries to over-3-day injuries is higher in construction than most other industries

UK Construction ill health in construction

The accident triangle major or over 3 day lost time injury for every 7 minor injuries for every 189 near misses

Some HSE initiatives… Almost a quarter of all HSE inspections are of construction activities. Health and Safety Executive (North West) - Action taken at Chester building sites Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors issued 12 enforcement notices requiring improvements to health and safety standards during its week-long targeted inspection of construction sites in Chester. On three sites standards were so poor that work was stopped completely. The enforcement notices dealt with a range of issues including: Poor risk management on site, Unsafe scaffolds,Risk of falls from height and Unsatisfactory welfare facilities. Contractors had been warned that enforcement notices would be served and sites closed down if dangerous practices were uncovered.

Some HSE initiatives… Inspectors have the right to enter and inspect premises at any reasonable time and can take a number of actions depending on their findings: taking no action giving verbal or written advice issuing a formal caution serving a notice or initiating prosecution

Some HSE initiatives… Where a breach of the law is identified there are two types of notice that can be served: Improvement notice – identifies a breach and specifies the date by which the situation is to be remedied Prohibition notice – Used to stop an activity which the inspector feels could lead to a serious injury. The notice can take effect immediately or within a specified time limit. Recent notices can be viewed on the HSE enforcement registerHSE enforcement register

Working Well Together Improve H & S through: Commitment Competence Communication Cooperation

Falls from Vehicles campaign 75% of vehicle falls take place during loading or unloading Estimated cost to economy £36.5 million (04/05) Most RIDDOR reportable falls take place below head height

Height Aware campaign

Shattered Lives campaign

Reduce slips and trips through site cleanliness. Watch Your Step Campaign