How has health and safety improved in construction? – Health and safety in construction has come a long way over the past years, but there’s still lots of room for improvement. To maintain this progress, it’s essential that employers continuously work towards the improvement of safety standards in the industry. Improvements to health and safety in construction include:

Employers leading by example to encourage greater health and safety engagement Raising awareness among staff members and workers Encouraging accountability Regular monitoring of health and safety conditions

Is health and safety in construction still important?

Improving Health & Safety Culture in UK Construction Health and safety in construction has come a long way over the last 100 years, but it’s still not quite there yet – and this is something that seriously needs to be addressed for an industry that deals with so many potential risks on a daily basis.

• Here at Cornerstone Projects, health and safety is a big priority and concern for us.
• The very basis of our business is rooted in providing underground utility reports, which in turn protects workers from the dangers of striking buried utilities.
• We’ve spoke about this topic in multiple articles before, and even created about the main risks workers face on-site, but we find ourselves taking another look at the subject in order to determine what needs to be done going forward.

Before we can spark change across the industry, we first need to break down what can be done to change our current culture and make construction safer for everyone.

How many people die in construction accidents each year?

Health and Safety in Construction: A Visual History Video hosted by Tom Payne. IN the 19th century, when navvies were building the UK’s railways, three workers died for every mile of track laid, with the death rate rising much higher in tunnelling sections. Above : A total of 32 workers were killed and 140 were seriously injured building the Woodhead Tunnel. The Woodhead Tunnel, between Manchester and Sheffield in the UK, was one of the most notorious projects of the Victorian age. Completed in 1845, the tunnel took six years to build.

In that time, 32 workers were killed and 140 were seriously injured. A further 28 people died from cholera due to unsanitary living conditions. Following the project, a campaign by social reformer Edwin Chadwick highlighted that the overall death rate was worse than for soldiers fighting at the battle of Waterloo.

This shocked the public and led to a Government enquiry. Above : The death rate building the Woodhead Tunnel was worse than for soldiers fighting at the battle of Waterloo. A change in law followed that made rail companies responsible for the health, welfare and accommodation of navvies. This was one of the earliest examples of how campaigning changed attitudes in the construction.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE 1970s Above : The HSE recorded 166 fatal accidents in 1974 – the year the UK Government passed the Health and Safety at Work Act.

In 1974 the UK Government passed the Health and Safety at Work Act – but the statistics from the time make for sobering reading. The (widely known as the HSE) recorded 166 fatal accidents in the construction sector that year – accounting for roughly a quarter of all deaths at work. Above : Throughout the 1980s the British Safety Council encouraged the use of hard hats ( image courtesy of the British Safety Council ). The rate for construction fatalities was 7.9 per 100,000 workers – nearly four times the rate across the entire British workforce. Above : Posters warned workers about the danger of old and unsafe tools ( image courtesy of the British Safety Council ). In the construction sector, more than 1,600 injuries were reported – accounting for over a seventh of injuries across all industries.

Worried that companies may be cutting back on costs as the UK economy began to slow, the British Safety Council warned workers about the dangers of using old and unsafe tools. By 1989, the Noise at Work Regulations came into force. HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE 1990s The accident rate continued to fall throughout the 1990s.

Safety nets also became more common for people working at height. This coincided with the arrival of new types of plant and equipment, such as high reach excavators and mobile elevated work platforms – known as “MEWPs” or “cherry pickers” – that enabled safer working. Above : A poster of Prince Charles with his arm in a sling highlighting the dangers of falls – still the biggest causes of accidents and injuries today ( image c o urtesy of the British Safety Council ). In 1994, the Construction Design and Management (or CDM) Regulations were introduced.

This forced clients, designers and contractors to coordinate their approach to safety for the first time. This was also the year that the Channel Tunnel completed; a project that employed over 13,000 people at the height of its construction. A total of 10 workers died building the tunnel – eight of them British.

This was obviously a vast improvement on the Victorian tunnellers, but it still left significant room for improvement. HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE 21ST CENTURY Although falls from height remained the industry’s biggest killer, it wasn’t until 2005, that the Work at Height Regulations were introduced. Above : In 2005 the Work at Height Regulations were introduced ( image courtesy of the British Safety Council ). Worker engagement, better training, the involvement of designers and significant emphasis on behavioural change have all helped shift construction towards safer ways of working. Above : Around 12,500 workers worked on the Olympic park – clocking up 62 million man hours with zero fatalities ( image courtesy of the ODA ). Sadly, this is a rare example. In 2016 – the total number of fatal injuries in construction in the UK was 43 and the fatality rate per 100,000 workers was 1.9.

• A lot more work needs to be done to improve occupational health – reducing problems such as dust, and it’s important to remember to wear your PPE, follow the rules, and not get complacent.
• Our thanks to the Health and Safety Executive and to the British Safety Council – which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary.

Images courtesy of the British Safety Council, Bechtel, Helen Binet and ODA. We welcome you sharing our content to inspire others, but please be nice and, : Health and Safety in Construction: A Visual History

Was safety on construction sites still being ignored in the 1960s?

Health and Safety in Construction: A Visual History Video hosted by Tom Payne. IN the 19th century, when navvies were building the UK’s railways, three workers died for every mile of track laid, with the death rate rising much higher in tunnelling sections. Above : A total of 32 workers were killed and 140 were seriously injured building the Woodhead Tunnel. The Woodhead Tunnel, between Manchester and Sheffield in the UK, was one of the most notorious projects of the Victorian age. Completed in 1845, the tunnel took six years to build.

• In that time, 32 workers were killed and 140 were seriously injured.
• A further 28 people died from cholera due to unsanitary living conditions.
• Following the project, a campaign by social reformer Edwin Chadwick highlighted that the overall death rate was worse than for soldiers fighting at the battle of Waterloo.

This shocked the public and led to a Government enquiry. Above : The death rate building the Woodhead Tunnel was worse than for soldiers fighting at the battle of Waterloo. A change in law followed that made rail companies responsible for the health, welfare and accommodation of navvies. This was one of the earliest examples of how campaigning changed attitudes in the construction.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE 1970s Above : The HSE recorded 166 fatal accidents in 1974 – the year the UK Government passed the Health and Safety at Work Act.

In 1974 the UK Government passed the Health and Safety at Work Act – but the statistics from the time make for sobering reading. The (widely known as the HSE) recorded 166 fatal accidents in the construction sector that year – accounting for roughly a quarter of all deaths at work. Above : Throughout the 1980s the British Safety Council encouraged the use of hard hats ( image courtesy of the British Safety Council ). The rate for construction fatalities was 7.9 per 100,000 workers – nearly four times the rate across the entire British workforce. Above : Posters warned workers about the danger of old and unsafe tools ( image courtesy of the British Safety Council ). In the construction sector, more than 1,600 injuries were reported – accounting for over a seventh of injuries across all industries.

Worried that companies may be cutting back on costs as the UK economy began to slow, the British Safety Council warned workers about the dangers of using old and unsafe tools. By 1989, the Noise at Work Regulations came into force. HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE 1990s The accident rate continued to fall throughout the 1990s.

Safety nets also became more common for people working at height. This coincided with the arrival of new types of plant and equipment, such as high reach excavators and mobile elevated work platforms – known as “MEWPs” or “cherry pickers” – that enabled safer working. Above : A poster of Prince Charles with his arm in a sling highlighting the dangers of falls – still the biggest causes of accidents and injuries today ( image c o urtesy of the British Safety Council ). In 1994, the Construction Design and Management (or CDM) Regulations were introduced.

This forced clients, designers and contractors to coordinate their approach to safety for the first time. This was also the year that the Channel Tunnel completed; a project that employed over 13,000 people at the height of its construction. A total of 10 workers died building the tunnel – eight of them British.

This was obviously a vast improvement on the Victorian tunnellers, but it still left significant room for improvement. HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE 21ST CENTURY Although falls from height remained the industry’s biggest killer, it wasn’t until 2005, that the Work at Height Regulations were introduced. Above : In 2005 the Work at Height Regulations were introduced ( image courtesy of the British Safety Council ). Worker engagement, better training, the involvement of designers and significant emphasis on behavioural change have all helped shift construction towards safer ways of working. Above : Around 12,500 workers worked on the Olympic park – clocking up 62 million man hours with zero fatalities ( image courtesy of the ODA ). Sadly, this is a rare example. In 2016 – the total number of fatal injuries in construction in the UK was 43 and the fatality rate per 100,000 workers was 1.9.

A lot more work needs to be done to improve occupational health – reducing problems such as dust, and it’s important to remember to wear your PPE, follow the rules, and not get complacent. Our thanks to the Health and Safety Executive and to the British Safety Council – which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary.

Images courtesy of the British Safety Council, Bechtel, Helen Binet and ODA. We welcome you sharing our content to inspire others, but please be nice and, : Health and Safety in Construction: A Visual History

How does time affect safety in the construction industry?

Ways to Improve Construction Site Safety The term “time is money” is quite literal in the construction industry. The constant pressure project managers and crews face to meet deadlines and stay within budget often causes safety to fall to the wayside.

In 2016, out of 4,693 worker fatalities in private industry, one in five were in construction. Implementing each of these strategies can help improve health and safety in construction on any job site: Set Safety Expectations OSHA’s Safety and Health Regulations for Construction: OSHA 29 CFR 1926 serves as a baseline for safety requirements.

Safety management in construction must reinforce these regulations and go beyond by continuously leading by example and making safety a priority before work begins. By setting clear expectations for safety from the beginning, managers can set the tone to ensure each worker understands their personal responsibility for safety.

This will help everyone work together toward the common goal of preventing injuries. As a safety manager, it’s important to “walk the talk” when it comes to workplace safety and health. “The example you set, and the way you talk to workers about safety, has a huge impact on the company’s safety and health program, safety culture, and ability to reduce injury and illness,” according to OSHA.

When workers are able to recognize the value management has for their well-being, it helps build trust. Some workers may never interact with senior management. It’s found that these employees are more likely to value and internalize safety messages when they are occasionally delivered by higher-level management rather than passed down in the chain of command.

• Make it clear that it is everyone’s responsibility to follow rules, procedures, and best practices to prevent accidents on the job site.
• Incorporate safety language into policies and procedures so it becomes ingrained as a natural part of a worker’s daily routine.
• An informal safety talk at the start of each work day can make safety managers’ jobs easier by improving worker understanding of safety expectations, preventing wasted time on inconsistencies, and minimizing chances of error.

Toolbox talks continue to be the most effective means of communicating safety to workers. It sparks valuable discussion on general safety and information about safer tools, equipment, materials, and processes. Utilize OSHA’s website for a variety of topics from emergency planning, tool and equipment safety, ladder safety, personal protective equipment and more to help create or obtain a presentation.

1. Always make sure the content is relevant to your specific work site and feature engaging elements like visuals and anecdotes that workers can connect with.
2. Promote a Nonthreatening Environment The authors of Crucial Conversations conducted a survey of 1,500 workers in 22 organizations and found 93% of employees say their workgroup is currently at risk from a safety issue that is not being discussed.

In addition, almost half knew of an injury that occurred because someone didn’t speak up. Trust and quality of relationships heavily influence the safety and overall productivity of workers. Always encourage employees to speak up when they see something going wrong; this can significantly help to avoid incidents, injuries, and fatalities.

• To increase chances of participation, ensure workers feel comfortable to ask questions and raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation or bullying.
• This will make it easier and quicker to address issues head on to prevent them down the road.
• OSHA finds that managers often avoid giving feedback to prevent confrontations.

If improvements to a worker’s performance can be made, approach them in a constructive, positive way. Make sure to avoid judgmental statements and criticisms and focus on the behavior itself, not the person and their values or personality. Plan Ahead Ensure all prework activities, such as approvals, are completed before work begins.

A thoughtful planning process can help the work day start on a more efficient and safe foot. Implement zoning to block off areas where certain tasks will take place, install nets and catch platforms, and apply any other safety measures. Stage and stock each work area with the necessary tools, PPE, and equipment before the workday begins.

This will make it easier and safer for workers to access what they need. Make sure to supply the right tools for the right tasks, and double check that workers understand how to properly operate the equipment they’ll be using. Eliminate hazardous distractions and obstructions by reinforcing consistent housekeeping practices on the job site.

• Take Advantage of Technologies Provide new opportunities to address safety challenges and experience immediate cost savings.
• Technology can be worth the investment to help bridge time and distance constraints, improving efficiency and safety in the long term.
• The growth of digitization in construction now makes it possible to make real-time decisions remotely.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), known as drones, are already in use in the industry and provide a convenient way to conduct site inspections, observations, and safety audits. Managers can use smartphones, tablets, and project management software to share project data instantaneously from remote work sites and to workers and other onsite supervisors using a cell phone or tablet.

• Allowing everyone to have immediate access to the same information eliminates costs of equipment that must be updated and maintained, and it keeps everyone consistently on the same page.
• A recent report by Dodge Data & Analytics found that 82% of contractors who use wearable technology see instant site-safety improvements.

Wearable devices like smart watches, glasses, and clothing allow managers to have better visibility of the work site and workers. These devices have the ability to alert managers to activities going on in the field and even improve response time when injuries occur, like the ability to detect when an employee slips, trips, and falls, triggering an automatic alert to designated site personnel, including medics.

These devices also keep track of locations of workers and procedures on the job site. Trigger alarms exist to streamline evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. These capabilities offer immediate safety benefits. There are also a number of free iOS applications that exist to promote hazard prevention efforts.

Easy to Implement Safety Solutions One of the most important parts of safety on a construction site is clear and effective communication at all times. An easy way employers can communicate with workers in different areas on a job site is through safety signs and labels.

Comply with OSHA and ANSI standards and reinforce safety anywhere on the work site with easy to install premade construction labels and signs. For on-demand custom, site-specific procedures and instructions, DuraLabel printers and supplies are a reliable safety communication solution. All supplies are built to last in the harsh conditions that exist in the construction industry.

Thoughtfully implementing each of these strategies will help to prevent downtime, chances of injury, and improve overall safety on a construction site. Kelsey Rzepecki writes for Graphic Products, makers of the DuraLabel line of industrial label and sign printers.