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Who is responsible for Health and Safety at Work?

Health and Safety at Work in the Construction Industry

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous places to work, with numerous hazards that can cause injuries or even fatalities. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) published statistics show the Construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries for fatalities, with the statistics of those recorded with both fatal and non-fatal injuries increasing each year. With such high stakes, it’s essential to understand who is responsible for health and safety at work in construction and maintaining Construction site safety at all times.

Who is responsible for Health and Safety in the workplace?

Ultimately, health and safety at work in construction is the responsibility of all involved. Employers, employees, subcontractors, vendors, and regulatory bodies must all work together to ensure a safe work environment. The level of responsibility varies upon your role within the workplace.

Health and safety responsibility of employers / main contractors

The health and safety responsibilities of the employer or main contractor are the greatest. It’s their responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees and those that are affected by their undertakings. 

This includes ensuring that all workers are properly trained, equipped with the necessary safety gear, and that Construction site safety is maintained by keeping it free from hazards. They must ensure suitable and sufficient safety policies and procedures are implemented; regularly assess risks; and take corrective action as needed.

Health and safety responsibility of employees / subcontractors

Employees, subcontractors, vendors and similar construction professionals also have a role to play in ensuring they do not put their own safety at risk and the safety of others e.g. colleagues, other contractors, visitors, public etc. They must follow all safety policies and procedures put in place, wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and report any hazards or unsafe working conditions to their supervisor or employer immediately in order to maintain Construction site safety for everyone working onsite.

Illustration of a clipboard with construction health and safety written on it

Health and safety responsibility of regulatory bodies

Regulatory Bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – also play a critical role in ensuring health and safety at work in construction by setting Construction industry safety standards, legislation, inspections, targeted campaigns, advice etc

Ensuring a safe work environment in the construction industry is a joint responsibility. Employers, employees, subcontractors, vendors, and regulatory bodies must collaborate and contribute to promote a positive health and safety culture at work. By taking a proactive approach to Construction industry safety and following established policies and procedures, we can help prevent avoidable injuries and fatalities on construction sites.

Health and Safety at Work in the Construction Industry

Construction risk assessment clipboard illustration

Risk assessments are an essential tool for those responsible for health and safety in any workplace, including construction sites. By carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, those responsible for health and safety can identify areas of concern and take appropriate action to minimize the likelihood of accidents or injuries occurring on-site. Reasonably practicable measures adopted following the identification of hazards can help to protect workers, reduce the risk of legal action, and improve the overall safety culture of the workplace.

At Constructionline we provide a Construction Supply Chain Management platform that helps promote health and safety at work in the construction industry, to help with meeting the health and safety responsibility of employers. We provide provide a construction pre-qualification process that assesses the health and safety practices of suppliers and subcontractors before they are allowed to work on a project. 

This process includes checking subcontractor’s compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, reviewing risk assessments and method statements, and ensuring that the necessary safety training has been completed. 

SSIP Certification

By vetting suppliers and contractors in this way, we help to ensure that only the subcontractors with a strong health and safety record are selected to work on construction projects, which helps to minimise the risk of accidents or injuries occurring on site, as well as ensuring that Construction site safety is maintained.

Included in a Constructionline membership, companies can receive a Once For All Health & Safety SSIP Certification at no additional cost. As a Registered Member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement), Once For All Health & Safety will assess a company’s health and safety policies, procedures and key health and safety documentation to ensure that they meet the required standards set by SSIP. On successful completion the company is issued with an SSIP Certification.

By achieving SSIP Certification, companies can show that they take the health and safety responsibility of employers seriously and are committed to providing a safe working environment for their employees and others affected by their undertakings. 

Not only does this help to show legal compliance, but it can also help to build trust and confidence with clients and customers, thus enabling companies to maintain contracts and potentially secure new ones.  In addition to providing reassurance to clients and customers, the process of achieving a Health and Safety Certification can also help companies to improve their health and safety practices by raising awareness of key health and safety issues and required documentation/practices. 

Ultimately, Once For All Health & Safety SSIP Certification can play an important role in promoting health and safety at work in the Construction Industry by encouraging companies to prioritise the safety of their employees and helping to create a safer working environment. 

Subcontractors: Find out more about a Constructionline Membership
Buyers: Get access to our pre-qualified subcontractors

Key Takeaways

  • Health and safety at work in the construction industry is the responsibility of everyone involved, including employers, employees, subcontractors, vendors, and regulatory bodies.
  • Risk assessments are essential for identifying and minimizing potential hazards on construction sites.
  • Constructionline and Once For All Health & Safety can help promote health and safety at work by assessing the health and safety practices of suppliers and contractors.
  • Achieving an SSIP Certification through Once For All Health & Safety can help companies demonstrate their commitment to health and safety and build trust with clients and customers.
Blog Health and Safety, SSIP, Supplier