Unlike most industries in the UK, the construction sector has one of the highest health and safety risk factors. As a site manager, understanding what the common health and safety risks are, makes it easier to create a strategy to alleviate these risks from your business. That’s why we’re going over the 5 most common health and safety risks in the construction industry…
Working at height is one of the biggest causes of major injuries and fatality in the construction industry, usually occurring through falls from ladders and through fragile surfaces. In 2016/2017 working from height made up nearly 50% of the total fatal injuries.
HSE has reported 12,000 work-related lung disease deaths each year, which is unsurprising as construction sites produce huge volumes of invisible and fine dust which can be toxic – leading to respiratory problems. Being exposed to the dust from hazardous materials can lead to serious, long-term health problems for construction workers including asthma, lung cancer or bronchitis.
Falls, trips and slips can happen in any industry, however, they are particularly common in the construction industry because of the environment and materials used. The main sources of risk are wet and slippery surfaces, materials or equipment left unchecked, uneven surfaces or loose cables.
The UK alarmingly averages around three construction-related electrocution accidents per year. These injuries are often caused by direct contact with the power source or indirectly through wiring. The main sources of risk here are overhead powerlines, damaged tools or inadequate wiring.
HSE reported 1,505 new work-related deafness claims in the UK between 2007 and 2017. Construction sites are prone to significantly loud levels of noise which proves a safety risk to workers. Repetitive and excessive noise levels that are reached on a construction site can cause hearing impairment, which can lead to deafness. Equipment like power tools and heavy-duty vehicles are key contributors to these high noise levels.
Now that you know what the most common risks are, it is easier to create a safety risk assessment for your business. As industry experts in the construction sector, we are fully equipped to protect your business and to keep it as secure and safe as possible.
Find out more about our services here.
