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6 Health and Safety Measures That Must Be Implemented On a Construction Site

 Health and Safety Measures That Must Be Implemented On a Construction Site

The construction industry accounts for a huge number of fatalities and on-site injuries every year. Whilst this number is reducing due to there being more awareness, it is still an issue, which is why health and safety must be the number one priority. Here are 6 health and safety measures that must be implemented on a construction site.

Machinery and Fuel Storage

Due to the need for high volumes of on-site machinery on a construction site, it is necessary to keep stocks of red diesel fuel. These must be kept in fuel tank bunds in an allocated, cordoned off area and signage erected to ensure that site personnel know that highly flammable liquids are being stored.

Safety checks should be carried out to machinery daily and the site management team should sign this off to confirm it has been done. A traffic management plan must also be produced, which details areas in which site machinery is permitted and areas where it is not. This also details exits and access routes for machinery and non-construction vehicles.

PPE Gear

PPE gear is essential on a construction site. Making staff and sub-contractors visible by wearing high viz vests and jackets reduces the risk of accidents occurring, particularly where machinery is being used. Hard hats protect from any falling debris or tools accidentally being dropped from scaffolding. Safety boots are a measure taken to ensure that if anything drops from a height, feet remain well protected.

Signing in Register

Anyone entering or leaving the site must sign in and out. This is to ensure that when the site closes for the day, all visitors and staff are accounted for. It’s also a security measure to ensure that only authorised persons can enter. In the event of an emergency, the site manager uses the register to make sure that no one is in potential danger.

Inductions

All site staff and sub-contractors must be inducted for health and safety reasons. The site manager will advise of the areas of the site which are restricted, areas that contain flammable liquids, and any other salient information. Once inductions have been completed, paperwork must be signed by both parties.

Health and Safety Plan

A health and safety plan must be put together and held on-site before any works commence. This gives full information about the works intended, the company health and safety policy, local information about hospitals, and who is in charge of the site. It also provides details of fire safety officers and where the meeting point is in the event of a fire or other emergency. If you have employees working alone, a lone worker risk assessment may also be needed to mitigate risks.

Incident Reporting

If any incidents occur on-site, it must be logged in an online incident reporting system. This ensures that a full record of what happened and what action was taken is held. Many companies have been sued due to accidents not being handled correctly, so as well as being a health and safety requirement, this is also beneficial for the business.

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