Construction sites can be a dangerous place to work, and thousands of injuries occur every year with some proving to be fatal. Employers have a legal duty to ensure work is carried out as safely as possible and in this article we highlight the top 10 safety risks workers may face on UK construction sites.
Working From Height
Working from height is one of the major hazards faced by workers on construction sites and also the main causes of fatality within the industry as a whole. Throughout 2016-17 it accounted for almost 50% of all fatal injuries that occurred on-site.
Common issues surrounding these cases were:
- Poor edge protection
- Unguarded openings and missing guardrails
- Unsecured scaffolding or ladders
- Badly stored and loose materials on roofs and elevated walkways
Loud Noise
Over 1,500 work-related deafness claims were made by workers between 2007 and 2017. Hazardous noise can be a common issue on construction sites, especially if proper protective head gear is not worn as and when needed. Contractors also have a responsibility to ensure the right type of hearing protectors are provided for the environment. If correct PPE is not given to workers then it is less likely they will be worn and it can lead to other hazards, such as missing warning calls and bad fits with other types of PPE. PPE Hearing Protection is vital to reduce long-term hearing damage.
Manual Handling
Work on construction sites involves lifting, carrying, lowering, holding, pulling and pushing materials from one location to another. This can create a number of soft tissue damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and more. These injuries typically happens to backs, elbows, wrists, shoulders, hands, legs.. They may happen immediately or accumulate over time before the injury eventually occurs. In the end, these types of injuries can also become repetitive and seriously affect the workers professional and personal life.
Electrical
Harm can be caused through a conducting object or material, or by directly or indirectly touching live parts. According to the HSE, there are over 1,000 electrical accidents at work every year, with the vast majority caused by contact with electrical equipment and machinery, or with underground or overhead power cables. Incidents are also quite high from unqualified site workers carrying out electrical work in the expectation this will allow them to carry on with other aspects of their daily tasks. Ensure your Electrical Signs are in place to inform and reduce accidents.
Asbestos
Asbestos still poses a great danger to people working on construction sites. The fibres in the material can cause fatal and serious diseases like lung cancer and kills almost 5,000 workers a year. Tradespeople are exposed the most and around 20 die every week due to previous exposure. It is estimated there are still as many as 500.000 old buildings in the UK that contain asbestos in the structure. Construction site workers should always be told where asbestos is present and trained on what to do when they potentially encounter it.
Airborne Fibres and Toxins
There are more than 12,000 work-related lung disease deaths every year and another 18,000 self-reported cases of breathing problems related to work. Construction is the top contributor to these figures, and it can take years of exposure for such exposure to become apparent. This means PPE isn’t always given the priority it should be, as workers do not see any immediate harm being caused.
Airborne fibres and toxins can come from a variety of sources, such as:
- Removing rubble, stone masonry or when cleaning up the site.
- Paints, glues, varnishes, flooring and building insulation materials.
- Variety of wood dusts
- Construction workers can experience a variety of illnesses and conditions, from silicosis and asthma, to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Long-term use of hand-held power tools and vibrating ground working equipment can lead to a condition called Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) which affects joints, nerves and blood vessels.
HSE estimates there could be as many as 2 million people at risk of developing HAVS, although with use of proper protection and equipment maintenance it can be prevented. However, once someone develops HAVS, there is no cure available. It could stop someone from being able to work and cause pain attacks in the hands and fingers. Vibration Signs are available to remind workers of this risk.
Moving Objects
Construction Sites typically have moving objects all across the site, and this poses a big hazard to all workers. Not only is the terrain uneven, but diggers, supply vehicles and lifting equipment are moving around constantly. Workers should always be aware of their surroundings and wear PPR and high-visibility jackets so others can see them.
Common reasons for being hit by a moving object include:
- Poorly lit areas
- Working close by to a moving object
- No beepers or warning lights on vehicles
- Lack of warning signs present
- Colliding with pallets, boxes or machinery that is being moved
Tiredness and Exhaustion
This is slightly different to the other risks previously mentioned, but it is one of the most important. Tiredness can be a contributing factor to many of the injuries people experience on a construction site. It is a physically demanding role and can take its toil during a long week at work, especially when working in bad weather conditions. Tiredness and exhaustion influences attention spans and focus, which can lead to slow reaction times and mistakes being made.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Thousands of construction workers are injured each year following a slip, trip or fall at work. Due to the nature of the environment, it’s a risk that always exists to some degree, although issues can be reduced as long as there are good working practices in place.
Despite the inherent risks, the site needs to be made as safe as possible, and if accidents do happen they should be reported and dealt with quickly.
Typical causes of slips and trips include:
Uneven surfaces
This is common on developing sites, so good lighting and walkways should be in place to counter this issue. Trip Hazards are common and using Caution Trip Signs can help inform users of this type of risk.
Trailing cables
Equipment is being used all the time on-site, but cordless tools should be used if possible. Run cables at high levels if there is no alternative.
Wet or slippery surfaces
Treat muddy surfaces with stone and icy surfaces with grit to help avoid slips. Use warning signs and ensure workers have footwear with a strong grip.
Slippery Surface Signs can be used to highlight risk areas.
Summary
Constructor workers need to remain vigilant whilst at work due to the many dangers and hazards they face when working on UK Construction Sites. The threat of injury and potentially worse is always there due to the nature of this workplace and roles. By using risk assessments and high quality working practices including Construction Signage, its possible to lower such risks and accidents from occuring. No matter how small or large the construction site, employing stringent health and safety measures will keep you compliant with the law and make for a more productive place of work.
