In an industry where working at height, with tools, electricity etc. is the norm; there is no denying the health and safety risks inherent in construction. On a daily basis, the industry’s almost 3 million employees confront dangerous and sometimes life-threatening risks. These contributed to 69,000 cases of work-related illnesses and 65,000 workplace injuries in 2014-2015. Resulting in an estimated 1.7 million lost working days and £500 million in treatment and care annually*.
It is perhaps then not surprising that 70 per cent of construction firms will be investing money in order to exceed legislative health and safety standards in 2016. This is important as over the last decade, the number of prosecutions by the HSE has steadily risen. In 2014-2015 the HSE prosecuted 258 cases, with a conviction rate of 94% resulting in fines totaling almost £4 million*.
If your construction firm wants to avoid a prosecution, it is essential that you make health and safety a priority and keep detailed and accurate records of your practices and procedures.
Health and safety top tips
*Source: Zywave Construction C1 Quarter 1 2016
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