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Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face all the occupational safety and health (OSH) risks in this dangerous sector, but may not have “in-house” expertise in dealing with these issues. This page highlights key information for addressing the risks faced in the construction sector, and introduces the Agency’s construction web feature where further information is available.
A risk assessment is nothing more than a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can judge whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. The aim is to make sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill.
A risk assessment involves identifying the hazards present and then evaluating the extent of the risks involved, taking into account existing precautions. The results of a risk assessment should help users choose which good practice measures are most appropriate. A risk assessment is important to protect yourself, your workers, other workers on site, and members of the public.
Good planning and design can avoid many risks, often before work starts on site. Choosing the right equipment and materials, and scheduling work to be done at the right time can remove a risk altogether, reduce the chance of harm, or reduce the number of people exposed to the danger.
Accidents are very common during construction activities, and many of them can be avoided. The biggest killer in the construction industry is falls from height. Workers should have a safe place of work, and be able to get to and from that place of work safely, without risk of falling. If you haven’t minimised the risk of falling, you haven’t carried out your risk assessment properly.
Work going on at height poses another risk – falling objects. Action should be taken to prevent items falling in the first place, but hard hats should be worn to protect workers from head injuries caused by falling objects.
The large plant and equipment often used on site poses additional risks. Many workers have been killed when crushed by vehicles, moving loads, and work equipment. In addition, the construction site is a dangerous place as there may be a high risk of vehicles overturning, killing the driver.
Working in excavations poses risks too. It is all too easy for an excavation to turn into a grave if there are inadequate measures to prevent the collapse of excavations.
Sadly, working on construction sites is often bad for the health. Asbestos lurks in buildings that are being refurbished, exposing maintenance workers to fatal diseases. Other dangerous substances on site include silica dust, cement, and solvents.
Sites are often also noisy, and workers can be exposed to vibration, either whole-body or hand-arm vibration. In addition, the need to move and handle heavy items such as stonework or carry out repetitive actions can lead to musculoskeletal disorders
The Agency’s construction web feature contains much more information on the dangers in this sector. In addition, the Agency offers more information on specific topics for enterprises through the good practice pages, and has a wide range of factsheets to assist small businesses all of which can be downloaded free of charge in the Community languages.
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