Why health and safety training is important in construction

Having to work at height and overseeing heavy loads makes construction an industry that can be dangerous. In fact, according to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 79,000 construction workers suffering work-related ill health and 62% with musculoskeletal disorders between 2018 and 2019.

To reduce the hazards to employees, it’s worth thinking carefully about the health and safety training that’s currently in place. Does everyone need a refresher course? Is everyone keeping on top of the typical precautions? Here’s a look at what to look out for and why it’s important to brush up on the training.

It is very important to have the right training and skills to operate something that could be hazardous such as automotive gantry cranes or similar types of advanced crane systems.

Major health and safety issues

There are several health and safety issues to be aware of on a construction site:

Heights

By nature, constructing buildings means working at height. This means there’s a risk of tradesmen falling or being injured. It’s essential that builders and other construction workers know the risks and how to work safely work when high up, via dedicated training.

Moving machinery

Tools and machinery used in construction tend to lift upwards and move around. This means that employees should be trained in looking out for hazards before operating cranes and other machines that could be dangerous.

In addition, investing in the right machinery for the job and ensuring workers know how to use it can be incredibly beneficial. For example, if your site needs a new hydraulic press, choosing one by a leading supplier such as SGS Engineering is one way to make sure you have high-quality equipment.

Falls

With so much activity taking place and scaffolding and tools creating obstacles, there’s an increased chance of people falling or tripping. By ensuring workers know how to store tools away safely and including clear routes around the site, it’s possible to reduce the chance of accidents happening.

Why keep health and safety training up to date?

There are two main reasons why employers should prioritise the training of their workers on a construction site:

It’s the law

Firstly, it’s a legal requirement to have the correct health and safety procedures in place. Without having the right training in place, employers could be fined and, in the instances where employees sue for injuries sustained at work, it could involve a lawsuit and a risk to the business’ reputation and even its future.

Businesses can benefit

Businesses can also do well out of training their employees. By looking after their health and safety, workers can feel that their employers care about their wellbeing and, in turn, are more likely to stay in the role. It can also boost morale and enhance productivity.

So, with this in mind, it’s worth construction workers brushing up on their health and safety training and learning more about how to keep safe on-site.