CONSTRUCTION

SITE SAFETY
Your practical guide to 2020
construction site safety
INTRODUCTION
Every year in the UK and across Northern Europe, construction site workers suffer from injuries,
ill-health or fatal accidents as a result of their work. In the UK alone last year, the Health and Safety
Executive revealed that there were over 550,000 non-fatal injuries, according to self-reports.

To ensure safety compliance on construction sites in In this guide, we cover everything from the regulations
2020, compliance managers are required to undertake you need to follow, to the tools and systems that can
considerable due diligence and planning. This doesn’t significantly improve site safety, providing all the
just include the company’s legal responsibilities and information required to create a better, safer and more
obligations, but the practical issues associated with profitable construction business.
day-to-day construction work as well.

CONTENTS
Construction site safety and the law 3 Promoting safety off-site 10

Most common accidents and safety concerns 4 • Preparing for work

What causes these Health and Safety risks 5 • Certification and training

Promoting safety on-site 7 • Asset management

• Setting up the site Next steps 12

• Preventing injuries on-site

2
CONSTRUCTION
SITE SAFETY AND
THE LAW

An essential part of any compliance manager’s job

is to understand their legal obligations and duties ACCORDING TO
and ensure their business is fully compliant. EUROSTAT’S
Each country has their own specific regulations that
ACCIDENTS AT
construction companies need to be aware of, which
WORK STATISTICS,
put forward various obligations for employers to WITHIN THE EU,
follow. These regulations cover all aspects of worker’s OVER 20% OF ALL
health, safety and overall well being, including: FATAL ACCIDENTS
AT WORK IN 2015
• General health and safety TOOK PLACE WITHIN
THE CONSTRUCTION
• Safety and welfare of workers specifically on
SECTOR.
construction sites

• Working conditions and environment

• Handling, operating, and working with and / or

around equipment

In the UK, construction site safety guidelines are

controlled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) -
the government agency responsible for the regulation
and enforcement of workplace health, safety and
welfare. For more information on HSE’s guidelines on
construction site safety, visit their website.

3
MOST COMMON
ACCIDENTS AND
SAFETY CONCERNS

There are various health and safety risks

inherent within construction work. Unfortunately,
this is part and parcel of the sector, and while KEY TAKEAWAYS
governments have various regulations in place The construction sector is responsible for 20%
to protect the safety of workers, thousands of of all fatal accidents at work across Europe
accidents still happen on construction sites
Slips and trips are the most common non-fatal
every year. accident on construction sites

When looking at Northern Europe, across the UK Falls from height are the most common fatal
alone in 2018, there were over 550,000 non-fatal accident on construction sites

injuries reported on construction sites according to The UK and Northern Europe has a good safety
the HSE’s Kinds of Accident 2018 report, as well as record compared to other EU member states
144 fatal accidents. These figures, however, are lower
than the majority of EU member states, according to
the Health and Safety statistics in the United Kingdom
2019, with only Finland having had a lower rate of fatal
injuries at work:

Standardised incidence rates (per 100,000 employees) of fatal injury

at work, excluding road traffic accidents and accidents on board
transport in the course of work for 2015 (Eurostat, EASW, 2015)
Incidence rates of fatal injury

4
(per 100,000 employees)

3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Finland
UK
Sweden
Netherlands
Germany
Denmark
Italy
Cyprus
Poland
Estonia
Slovakia
Austria
EU
Ireland
Belgium
Hungary
Croatia
Greece
Spain
Malta
Czech Rep.
Slovenia
Luxembourg
Portugal
Bulgaria
Latvia
Lithuania
France
Romania

4
WHAT CAUSES
THESE HEALTH AND
SAFETY RISKS?

Construction sites are busy and untidy places to work, and even the most careful compliance
manager cannot entirely stop accidents from taking place. While it’s impossible to stop accidents
from happening, it is possible to reduce the risk of accidents and other health hazards occurring by
understanding the root causes of common health and safety issues and putting practical measures
in place to manage the risk.

FALLS SLIPS
FROM HEIGHT AND TRIPS
Falls from height can occur both in and outside Slips and trips happen on construction sites for a
of buildings, and often involve the use of moving number of reasons, but one of the main risks comes
platforms. While many working at height scenarios from the use of corded tools. Long cables running
require a platform, other tasks can be completed by across construction sites are a huge trip hazard and
using longer tools instead, such as installing cables a major contributor to non-fatal injuries. Tripping over
in ceilings. This can help increase productivity, cables can also cause cable breakages, leading to
by reducing the amount of set-up time required further electrical hazards, as well as potential
for platforms. downtime and unnecessary repair costs.

By using specifically-designed longer tools, workers Corded tools also require cable reels, which are
can fasten cables into ceilings while standing on the another potential tripping hazard - particularly when
ground, removing the risk of falling from a platform. using curly cables, which often wrap themselves
The risk of accidents can be significantly reduced by around workers’ feet. Slips and trips from cables can
exploring different solutions to jobs, and utilising also lead to other accidents such as workers falling
specialist tools where possible. from height and tools being dropped on to people.

Working from height tasks outdoors will require the Using cordless tools is the best way to mitigate this
use of harnesses, which need to be tested regularly risk. Removing the need for cables helps to create
to check they are safe and fit for purpose. It can be a tidier site and reduces the time that workers are
difficult to keep track of which harnesses have been exposed to risks by increasing productivity. Despite
tested and when - particularly if you are using a the safety and productivity benefits associated with
manual spreadsheet to track equipment testing. cordless tools, many construction companies still
An automated asset management system is a great opt for corded tools because of the up-front cost of
way to organise this information for you, allowing you procurement and the belief that batteries will not last
to easily ensure harnesses are fully tested and safe long enough to complete the job.
to use, with alerts to warn you when new testing
certificates are due. With the improvement in battery technology in recent
years, however, high-quality cordless tools have the
capability to match and even outperform corded
tools, resulting in long-term cost savings as well as
considerable health and safety benefits.

5
The up-front expense of cordless tools can also be efficient at removing inhalable dust, and it’s important
mitigated through tool management services, such as to think about the system solution you need for the
Hilti’s Fleet Management. This allows all tools to be specific task being undertaken. Dust extraction
managed by an external company for a monthly fee - systems include different inserts and vacuums for
drastically reducing the up-front cost while still having different purposes, and Fleet Management services
access to the safest and most efficient tools. Utilising can help you identify the right tools and systems for
a fleet management service can help improve safety, your needs.
manage costs and reduce downtime without having to
invest in a large toolpark of unnecessary equipment. HAND-ARM
VIBRATION
DUST
INHALATION Health risks associated with hand-arm vibration
include pain, distress and sleep disturbance, an
As well as affecting the long-term health of inability to do intricate work or everyday tasks, and
construction workers, compliance managers will reduced grip strength. As with dust inhalation, it’s
need to be concerned with how dust can affect essential to calculate exposure levels and set clear
other people in the vicinity of the construction site - limits to reduce these long-term health risks.
particularly for work that is happening in crowded
inner city or urban areas. Using equipment that creates less vibration is one
way of reducing the risks associated with hand-arm
Intrusive jobs like drilling, breaking, slitting, sanding, vibration. It’s important to note, however, that just
sawing, or grinding carry a high risk of dust inhalation. because a tool has a higher vibration measurement,
Materials like brick and concrete are particularly this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the wrong choice
hazardous, as both contain a high concentration of to reduce hand-arm vibration exposure. Often a tool
silica, which is extremely carcinogenic. that vibrates more will perform the task much quicker,
meaning the worker is exposed to vibration for a
While more considerate construction companies shorter period of time. It’s important to look at the
plan for dust extraction, many people both inside and overall time it takes to complete a task and calculate
outside of the construction industry are not aware of exposure levels accordingly.
the full implications associated with dust inhalation.
Unfortunately, it’s common for workers to not use
any type of dust extraction or vacuum system when
working, and many workers do not even wear dust
masks because they are not aware of the damage KEY TAKEAWAYS
dust inhalation can cause.
Cables are a major risk on construction sites and
should be managed carefully
As a compliance manager, you can’t force workers
to wear dust masks, but it’s absolutely essential that Dust inhalation is a major health issue that many
fitted dust masks are provided to everyone who enters are not aware of
the site. You must also make sure that site rules are
Exposure times to dust and vibration should be
visible which clearly state that dust masks must be calculated and implemented before starting work
worn, and provide information on exposure hours.
Workers should take shifts so they are not exposed to Using optimised tools and equipment can have a
dust for prolonged periods of time. major impact on reducing these various health and
safety risks

Utilising tools with built-in dust extraction will reduce

exposure of the worker to the risks associated with
dust inhalation, while also increasing the amount of
time a worker can spend performing dust-heavy tasks.
However, not all dust extraction systems are equally

6
PROMOTING
SAFETY ON-SITE

To create a safe working environment and ensure you are compliant with regulations, it’s
important to promote health and safety both on- and off-site. Using the HSE’s Health and
Safety in construction as a guideline, in the next two sections of this guide, we will look
at how you can promote positive health and safety on your construction sites, starting
with setting up the site.

SETTING UP THE SITE

Before starting work, it’s important to set up Welfare (including sanitary and washing, as well
the construction site to ensure that any health as rest and break facilities)
and safety risks have been addressed and Everyone who works on any construction site must
prepared for. Every employer should also issue have access to adequate toilet and washing facilities,
a risk assessment before opening a construction a place for preparing and consuming refreshments,
site to assess all the potential hazards before and somewhere for storing and drying clothing and
work commences. personal protective equipment. It is the responsibility
of those who have control over construction sites to
When setting up any construction site, there are provide these welfare facilities, and to ensure that they
a number of things to consider. are adequate and accessible for their employees.

Site access Housekeeping

You need to provide safe access onto and around It’s important to plan how the site will be kept tidy,
the site for both people and vehicles. This includes and how housekeeping will be managed. Factors to
planning how vehicles will be kept clear of consider include: keeping walkways and stairways
pedestrians, such as providing doors or gates at free of tripping hazards, building materials and waste,
site entrances, and viewing panels at doors that making sure inside floor areas are clean and dry, and
open onto traffic routes. outdoor footpaths are level and firm and are not used
for storing materials.
Site boundaries
Construction sites should be fenced off and suitably Lighting
signed to protect the public from site dangers, and As far as possible, every part of the site that is in use
to protect the site from vandalism and theft. Where should be arranged so that natural light is available
work is taking place in an occupied space (such as an for people to do their work and move about the site
operating factory or office), you will need to create an safely. Where natural light is not available, artificial
agreement as to who has control of what areas, and lighting should be provided.
what fences, barriers, or permits are required to keep
workers away from hazards created by others, and
other people away from hazards created by the
construction work.

7
Emergency procedures PREVENTING INJURIES ON-SITE
It’s important to plan emergency procedures before
work begins and put general precautions in place. Preventing injuries on-site requires more than just
Some emergencies may require evacuation of the site good housekeeping. It’s also vital to have clearly
or part of the site, and you may need to consider how delineated site rules and a fixed reporting protocol
someone injured in a fall within a confined space or in place. Here are the factors you should consider
within a restricted plant room can be reached by either to prevent injuries on your construction sites:
first aiders or emergency services.
Keep the site in good order and ensure
The STOP Principle workers put tools away safely
The STOP Principle provides practical strategies to As outlined already in this guide, keeping the
minimise the impact of health and safety challenges construction site as tidy as possible helps to
such as dust, vibration, cutting and kickback. Here is reduce the potential for slips and trips, as well as
how to manage health and safety through STOP: other accidents such as falls from height and
electrical hazards.

S
Substitution In addition to cables and materials, tools should also
be safely stored - particularly when leaving the site.
In addition to creating a safer working environment
on site, putting tools away also helps to prevent theft.
If a tool is stolen, and the person committing the crime

T
Technical is injured, the compliance manager is responsible for
protective
that person’s injury and would therefore be liable.
measures

Hilti’s ON!Track asset management system can help

you enforce the safe storage of tools by creating

O
Organizational
increased accountability on the status of each tool.
protective Using this system allows you to assign responsibility
measures
for a tool to the person who has possession of it,
meaning they are held accountable should a tool be
stolen on their watch.

P
Personal
protective
Mains and electricity
measures Electrical equipment is a large part of almost every
site, and preventing injuries requires careful selection
of systems and equipment. All electrical systems and
SUBSTITUTION is eliminating risk by using equipment must be properly selected, installed, used
alternatives so the root cause of hazards can and maintained, as many hazards can arise through
be avoided. faulty installations, lack of maintenance and abuse
of equipment.
TECHNICAL measures involve using the right
machinery, tools or technologies ti improve health
and safety by reducing risk.

ORGANISATIONAL measures include providing

training on safe working practices, or raising
awareness of risk through processes.

PERSONAL PROTECTION is needed where any

risks remain through wearing equipment such as
dust masks, eye protection, hard hats and more.
8
Before any work takes place, it’s essential that any Maintenance of tools
power supply requirements are established and A programme of testing and inspection should
arranged with a local electricity supplier. Electrical be undertaken in order to keep tools in good
equipment can easily become damaged on-site and working order, and identify any problems with
therefore become dangerous. To ensure electrical equipment before it causes a safety concern.
equipment is safe to use, it should be regularly
checked and inspected before, during and after use. As well as testing tools as part of the general
maintenance programme, additional inspection and
To reduce the hazards associated with electric tools, testing should also be carried out if there is reason
use cordless tools or tools which operate from a 110V to suspect the equipment may be faulty, damaged,
supply system, which is centre-tapped to earth so that or contaminated, as well as after any repair
the maximum voltage to earth should not exceed 55V. or modification.
This will greatly reduce the risk of fatal and serious
accidents occurring if an electrical fault were to ON!Track can help you and your workers keep track of
take place. tool maintenance, ensuring that all your equipment is
compliant, safe and in full working order.
Have proper site rules and a clear
reporting protocol
Site rules should include any important health and
safety measures your workers need to know while on
site. This can include the use of personal protective
equipment, traffic management systems, pedestrian
routes, site tidiness, fire prevention, emergency
procedures or permit-to-work systems. You should
also include any worker responsibilities, such as tool
maintenance and storage.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
These responsibilities should be clearly explained in
As a compliance manager, you are responsible for
your site rules and be visible to workers. For larger
injuries sustained to a person during tool theft
sites, it is a good idea to ask workers to undergo a
site induction so that they understand the rules All electrical equipment should be regularly
before starting work. inspected and maintained

Proper site rules can help improve safety on-site

and outline workers’ responsibilities

9
PROMOTING
SAFETY OFF-SITE

Whatever the size and scale of a construction project, the key to achieving a safe
working environment is to ensure that health and safety issues are planned, organised,
controlled, monitored and reviewed away from the construction site itself.

Off-site activities are essential to ensuring on-site health and safety.

Here’s what you need to consider:

PREPARING FOR WORK CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING

Before setting up a site, it’s essential to gather as Before entering a construction site, workers must
much health and safety information about the project have appropriate training and certification for the site
and proposed site as possible. It’s important to and any task-specific equipment being used.
include a reasonable allowance for the time and It’s important that you safely store and maintain any
resources you may need to deal with any problems. compliance documentation should an inspection take
Information can be gathered from: the client, the place. In 2019, the HSE have been increasing the
design team, contract documents, the main frequency of construction site inspections, making it
contractors on the site, specialist contractors and even more important to retain documentation, which
consultants, trade and contractor organisations, would need to be presented to an inspector. HSE have
equipment and material suppliers, HSE guidance, also recently launched their #Dustbuster campaign to
and British or European Standards. help businesses and workers know the risk, plan
their work and use the right controls when working
Once information has been gathered, you need to with dust.
organise experienced supervisors and workers for
the project. When taking on workers, it’s important to In addition to inspection, there are many instances
understand their health and safety experience. You of workers seeking litigation after retirement for work-
can do this by asking what training they have received, related deteriorations in health. If a company is able to
and if they have any certificates or examples of safe prove that they had all the right certifications, personal
working practice from their previous work. protective equipment and training in place, they will be
safe from litigation.
If the work is expected to either last longer than
30 days, or involve more than 500 ‘person days’ By using a digital system, you can be assured that all
of construction work, you also need to notify the records are safely stored for many years to come and
site to HSE in writing before construction starts. are easily accessible if required.

10
ASSET MANAGEMENT
As well as keeping track of training and certification
KEY TAKEAWAYS
records, digital asset management systems can Before setting up a site, you need to gather as
help you monitor and store all of your compliance much information as possible to prepare the site.

documentation, including: employee certifications and

HSE has increased the frequency of inspections
training schedules, vehicle tax due dates, professional this year, meaning that documentation must be
body membership details, rental equipment return maintained and kept in an easily-accessible place.
dates and site cost allocations.
Effective asset and documentation management
off-site can have a huge impact on the safety and
In an asset management system such as ON!Track, productivity of on-site work.
all of this documentation will have dates attached to it,
which indicate when you need to take action. This can
help you keep track of all upcoming deadlines, and
avoid inspections and regular tool checks going by
unnoticed. These systems not only collate
documentation safely in one central location, but also
vastly reduce the amount of time and effort you need
to spend monitoring administrative renewals.

In addition to compliance, asset management systems

also help you keep track of your tools, ensuring that
workers have access to all the equipment they need
to work safely and efficiently. You can also manage
your assets through our Fleet Management service,
which covers tool repairs, maintenance charges and
replacing stolen tools. Fleet management helps you
stay up-to-date with the latest equipment, and keep
tools well-maintained and up to the job.

With ON!Track, we are starting to see the

benefits of knowing where all our tools are
across the business - it’s a long-term solution
and in time the benefits will be even greater
as we will save time looking for lost tools and
minimize the risk of plant going missing.
Steve, PPS Electrical

11
NEXT
STEPS
In this guide we’ve considered everything you need
to know regarding construction site safety in 2019 -
from the various general and application-specific
regulations you need to be aware of, to setting up
a construction site.

So what are the key things to take away from

this guide?

For compliance managers, creating a safe and

compliant working environment starts with good
off-site organisation. It’s important to put appropriate
safety measures into place as a precaution rather
than a reaction. By anticipating and planning for the
various risks associated with your construction sites,
you can put all the tools in place both to reduce the
risk of accidents happening, and to effectively manage
any incidents that do take place.

Having the right tools and systems in place is a vital

part of risk prevention, with optimised equipment
and digital asset management software helping
you comply with regulations and create a safer
construction site for your workers. Not only can this
help you improve safety, but also save you money and
improve productivity - helping you to get the job done
faster, better, and more profitably.

Get in touch with a productivity expert

to find out how Hilti can help improve
construction site safety

12
Helpful reading

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

Construction dust
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Eurostat Accidents at work statistics
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Health and Safety in construction
Health and Safety Offences and Corporate Manslaughter Guidelines
HSE European comparisons
Kinds of Accident 2018
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
The SLAM Technique
Work at Height Regulations 2005

About Hilti

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software and services to deliver tailored, value-adding solutions.

Our Service Consultants have helped thousands of Hilti customers

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