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Stage 6 of 7 · Build

Health and safety on site

Plan, brief and check site work so that nobody gets hurt.

Start the course How it runs
Output
Construction phase plan, permits and incident records
Module
Quality, safety and compliance
Documents
  • Risk assessment and method statement (RAMS)
  • Permit to work
  • Incident report
Standards and references
  • CDM 2015 (UK)
  • OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (US)
  • BaustellV (DE)
  • ISO 45001

What it is

Health and safety on site means planning work so that people are not hurt, and proving that the plan was followed. It starts in design, where hazards should be removed, and continues through risk assessments, method statements, inductions, permits to work and daily supervision. Legal duties fall on clients, designers and contractors, not only on the site manager.

On site, the team controls high-risk activities such as lifting, work at height, excavations, hot work and temporary works. Incidents and near misses are reported and investigated so that causes are fixed. Toolbox talks, inspections and audits keep standards up, and the records show regulators and clients that duties were met.

Who does it

Principal contractor / site manager
Plans, manages and monitors the construction phase.
Health and safety adviser
Advises, audits and investigates incidents.
Safety coordinator
Coordinates safety between contractors where law or contract requires it.
Supervisors and workers
Follow method statements, report hazards and stop unsafe work.
Temporary works coordinator
Controls the design, checking and permits for temporary works.

How it runs

  1. Plan the construction phase

    Prepare the construction phase plan with site rules, emergency arrangements and the main risks.

  2. Assess risks

    Write risk assessments and method statements for each activity and brief them to the workers.

  3. Induct and check competence

    Induct everyone on site and check training cards, licences and certificates.

  4. Control high-risk work

    Issue permits to work for hot work, confined spaces and excavations, and permits to load and strike temporary works.

  5. Inspect and brief

    Carry out daily inspections and toolbox talks and record findings and actions.

  6. Report and investigate

    Report incidents and near misses, investigate root causes and track corrective actions to closure.

How it differs by country

United Kingdom
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 set duties for clients, principal designers, principal contractors and contractors, including the construction phase plan and the health and safety file. Specified injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported to HSE under RIDDOR 2013.
Germany
The Baustellenverordnung (BaustellV) requires a SiGeKo (safety and health coordinator) where several employers work on site, and a SiGe-Plan in defined cases. DGUV rules from the statutory accident insurers apply to construction work.
France
A coordonnateur SPS is required where several companies work on a site, and each contractor prepares a PPSPS. The coordinator compiles the DIUO for later work on the building.
United States
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 sets construction safety standards, including fall protection. Employers keep injury and illness records under OSHA recordkeeping rules.
International
ISO 45001 sets requirements for occupational health and safety management systems. FIDIC 2017 Sub-Clause 6.7 requires the Contractor to appoint a health and safety officer and prepare a health and safety manual.

Common mistakes

  • Generic risk assessments copied between projects without site-specific hazards.
  • Method statements written but never briefed to the people doing the work.
  • Permits issued without checking conditions on site.
  • Near misses not reported, so warning signs are missed.
  • Corrective actions raised but never closed.
  • Temporary works loaded or struck without a permit and a checked design.

In OpenConstructionERP

Module: Quality, safety and compliance

The Quality, safety and compliance modules support site safety. Safety Management tracks incidents and observations with risk scoring and corrective actions. HSE Advanced covers job hazard analysis, permits, toolbox talks, PPE, audits and safety KPIs. HSE Frame derives the project's duties from project facts, with a requirements register, safety coordinator roles and permit conditions. Temporary Works Register controls design check, permit to load and strike. Credentials Registry reports who may not work today, and Compliance Documents tracks expiring insurance and certifications.

Safety Management · HSE Advanced · HSE Frame · Temporary Works Register · Credentials Registry · Compliance Documents

The app runs at openconstructionacademy.com/app for course learners.

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