The importance of safety training in construction environments should not be underestimated. According to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Construction Statistics in Great Britain report for 2021, there were 39 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry in 2020/21 and 61,000 non-fatal injuries between 2018 and 2021. Furthermore, 74,000 construction industry workers suffered work-related ill-health between 2018 and 2021. Maintaining good practices in health and safety in construction site environments is vital if we’re to reduce these numbers in future.
Biggest Risks On Construction Sites
According to the HSE report, falls from height caused 50% of the fatal injuries that occurred in the construction industry in 2020/21. Other causes of fatal injuries included:
– Being trapped by collapsing or overturning objects (13%)
– Being struck by a moving object (11%)
– Being struck by a vehicle (10%)
– Making contact with machinery (4%)
Non-fatal injuries sustained between 2018 and 2021 were caused by:
– Falls, slips or trips on the same level (26%)
– Injuries sustained while carrying, lifting or handling (19%)
– Falls from height (19%)
– Being struck by a vehicle (12%)
– Being struck by a moving object (10%)
Importance of Health and Safety Training In The Construction Industry
Construction is one of the riskiest industries for workplace-related illness, injuries and fatalities because construction sites are particularly hazardous environments. However, many accidents occur because workers have not been given adequate construction health and safety awareness training.
It’s vital that construction workers are equipped with the right knowledge to assess and control risks in order to keep themselves and others as safe as possible. It’s also important that supervisors and managers have effective health and safety protocols in place and that these are communicated effectively to workers.
Businesses in the construction industry are responsible for fulfilling legal obligations and training requirements in line with government health and safety legislation. If the right procedures are not in place, businesses can be fined or banned from operating by the HSE. They also put themselves at risk of being sued for compensation by workers should an accident occur as a result of inadequate health and safety training.
Benefits of Construction Health and Safety Training Courses
Not only will health and safety training help to prevent injuries and protect your business, but it will likely make your employees more satisfied in their roles because they feel safer on site. This could improve their productivity. Furthermore, by reducing the risk of injury you can reduce the risk of staff requiring extended periods of sick leave. Both of these things could help your business to become more profitable.
Learn more about FaCT’s range of construction health and safety training courses to ensure your business’s safety protocols are up to scratch.
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