Published by the British Safety Council, this guide provides some general advice on managing some of the key health, safety and wellbeing risks in the construction industry. It is largely based on guidance from HSE, and more detailed advice is available on the websites of HSE and organisations such as construction trade associations and worker wellbeing advisory bodies.
The fatal injury rate for construction workers in Britain is in fact almost four times the ‘all industry rate’ (average) for workers across all industries. The rate of self-reported non-fatal injuries (2.9%) is also significantly higher than the all-industry rate of 1.6%. In fact, 30 of the 123 fatal injuries to workers in Britain provisionally recorded in 2021/22 occurred in the construction industry. According to the HSE, on average 36 construction workers and five members of the public died during construction work each year during the five-year period of 2017–2022. The HSE also warns that construction workers face a high risk of developing certain serious and fatal illnesses and diseases due to exposure to health hazards.
The main set of UK regulations covering the management of health, safety and welfare risks during construction work is the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM).
CDM applies to all building and construction work – including new build, demolition, refurbishment, extensions, conversions, repair and maintenance – from conception to completion. It places duties on clients, designers, contractors and workers to ensure projects are carried out in a way that ensures the health and safety of everyone.
There are several other regulations requiring those in control of construction work to take appropriate steps to protect workers from hazards such as harmful substances, noise, work at height, manual handling and electrical dangers.
The guide also addresses issues around:
Work at height.
Other safety risks.
Health risks.
Skin cancer.
Asbestos risks.
Noise at work.
Musculoskeletal disorders.
Stress and mental health.
British Safety Council February 2023
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