| Despite the Department of Work and Pensions | | | | There have been 2,800 fatalities in the last 25 |
| stating that fatalities have been cut since the | | | | years due to building and construction accidents. |
| 1970's by two thirds; 250-300 construction site | | | | Employers have to, by law, protect their |
| workers are still killed every year and 35 million | | | | employees. Most building/construction workers do |
| working days are lost each year to occupational | | | | not realise that it is within their rights to ask |
| health issues. Showing the number of deaths and | | | | supervisors for regular breaks when using heavy |
| injury in the workplace remains at an alarming high | | | | duty equipment. If you feel that equipment needs |
| number. | | | | replacing or feel that health and safety hasn't |
| The main cause of accidents on construction sites | | | | been properly addressed you should report it to |
| are:o Scaffolding Accidentso Lifting equipment | | | | your employer who can take the necessary |
| failureo Welding accidentso Trench Collapseso Falls | | | | steps to make the workplace more safe. |
| from roofso Crane Accidentso Forklift truck | | | | If employers fail to enforce health and safety, |
| accidentso Electric Shock Injuryo Trench | | | | they can be left liable for compensation claims. |
| collapseso Accident caused by fire or explosiono | | | | The workplace should be kept in a safe and tidy |
| Road Traffic Accidento Compressed Gases | | | | condition. Suitable workstations and chairs should |
| Accidentso Falls from ladderso Unsafe safety | | | | be provided to employees and floors and |
| harnesseso Electrocutionso Accidents from faulty | | | | corridors should be clean and free from hazards |
| machineryo Power tool accidentso Holes in flooring | | | | as well as doors and gates, nothing should |
| You are six times more likely to be killed as a | | | | become an unnecessary obstruction in the |
| construction employee than an employee of any | | | | workplace that could become a danger to the |
| other occupation. Working at a construction site is | | | | employees that work there. |
| one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK. | | | | All employers are required by law to be provided |
| If you are injured on a construction site, you | | | | with any safety wear they require to complete |
| should take action as soon as possible, including:o | | | | their jobs, such as goggles, hard hats, ear guards, |
| Reporting the accident immediatelyo Seeking | | | | dust masks, safety gloves, safety boots or |
| immediate medical treatment on site or go to a | | | | high-visibility jackets. |
| hospital or GP as soon as possibleo Obtaining | | | | Also by law, employees are to be highly trained in |
| names telephone numbers and addresses of any | | | | whatever task they have to undergo, such as |
| witnesseso If possible make sure the accident | | | | operating a fork lift truck, manually handling heavy |
| scene is photographedo Identify the main/principle | | | | objects or operating any form of machinery. |
| contractor/s or subcontractors on the job site | | | | If you are currently working in a construction job |
| responsible your injuryo Do not make written | | | | you should make sure that your employer has |
| statements or discuss you accident with anyone | | | | explained health and safety to you and that health |
| without first speaking to a qualified personal injury | | | | and safety is being abided by in your place of |
| specialist. | | | | work to prevent accidents from happening. |