1. Working Environment

The courses in the Working Environment section give information about your work environment, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your employer towards ensuring everyone is working safely on site. You will begin to understand how to manage waste and conserve energy, what is appropriate PPE, and how to respond in situations involving accidents.

2. Accident Reporting and Recording

• It is everyone's responsibility to try and prevent accidents at work.
• Reporting unsafe conditions is everyone's responsibility on site.
• Reporting near misses will help prevent them happening again.
• Plant and machinery should only be used by authorised and competent operatives.
• Any accident causing injury must be recorded in an accident book.
• All relevant staff should be involved in investigating accidents and near misses.

1. Occupational Health

Understand how to work safely, and how to protect yourself and others on site.
Know about common health issues at work and how to avoid them.

2. Dust and Fumes

• Harmful dust is often invisible to the naked eye
• Breathing in harmful dust can cause life shortening illnesses
• Breathing in construction dust can result in occupational lung diseases such as asthma and silicosis
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) will only be effective if it fits the wearer’s face properly
• Face-fit testing should be carried out as part of the initial selection of RPE
• A face-fit test will ensure that your RPE fits and functions properly
• Wearing your RPE will help to prevent you from breathing in harmful dust and fumes
• An on-tool extraction system is a method of dust control
• Fumes will build up very quickly in a confined space
• Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas
• Sparks or naked flames can easily ignite flammable vapours

1. Safety

2. Electrical Safety, Tools and Equipment

• Workers must be trained and competent before operating power tools.
• Cartridge-operated tools operate like a gun and can be dangerous in inexperienced hands.
• The main function of guards on cutting and grinding machines is to stop fragments flying into the air and to prevent the operator coming into contact with the blade or wheel.
• The recommended maximum voltage for construction sitse is 110 Volt with a yellow connector.
• Residual current devices (RCDs) should be fitted between the plug of a 230 Volt tool and the supply socket.
• RCDs work by cutting the power quickly if there is a fault, and they should be mechanical (trip) tested before each use.

1. Working Environment

The courses in the Working Environment section give information about your work environment, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your employer towards ensuring everyone is working safely on site. You will begin to understand how to manage waste and conserve energy, what is appropriate PPE, and how to respond in situations involving accidents.

2. Environment and Waste

• Everyone is responsible for minimising the amount of waste generated on site
• Following the site environmental risk assessment will help to prevent pollution on a construction site
• Companies and employees can be prosecuted if they do not follow the environmental laws
• Carefully directed site lighting on site will avoid causing nuisance to neighbours
• If you need to carry out noisy work out of normal working hours, the first thing to do is stop work and inform management so they can look at the impact of the activity
• Using diesel engines is most likely to cause air pollution
• Using fine water sprays can help to dampen and minimise dust on site
• Hand-held power tools cause noise pollution 

1. High Risk Activities

Understand how careful planning along with the use of correct equipment and appropriate PPE will help to ensure you work safely.

2. Excavations and Confined Spaces

• Excavations should always have a safe means of access and egress, such as a secured ladder
• Excavations should be inspected at the start of every shift, or after events that might affect stability
• The most accurate way to identify the location of buried services is through the use of trial holes
• If you damage an underground service, stop work, do not touch anything and report it
• Permit systems are often used where people are working in confined spaces
• If you are working in a confined space and the gas alarm sounds, get out immediately
• There should always be a rescue plan if you are working in a confined space

1. Safety

2. Fire Prevention and Control

• Emergency procedures should be in place before any work begins, explained in the site induction, and not changed without notice.
• Everyone on site should be aware of the emergency procedures, as these help control dangerous situations.
• Emergency escape routes should be kept clear, and unobstructed at all times.
• A fire assembly point is where people must go when the fire alarm sounds.
• Hot-work permits authorise tasks to be carried out safely, under strictly controlled conditions.
• Hot-work permits allow workers to carry out work that could start a fire, such as cutting steel with an angle grinder or soldering pipework in a central heating system.
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is colourless, has a distinctive smell and is highly flammable.
• A leaking LPG cylinder can catch fire at some distance from the original leak and flashback to the source.
• If a cylinder of LPG is leaking, turn the supply off immediately, if it is safe to do so.
• Fuel should always be dispensed using the correct nozzle and stored in the designated fuel store when not being used.
• Refuelling should only be carried out by authorised people, when the equipment is turned off and cooled down for safety.

1. Working Environment

The courses in the Working Environment section give information about your work environment, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your employer towards ensuring everyone is working safely on site. You will begin to understand how to manage waste and conserve energy, what is appropriate PPE, and how to respond in situations involving accidents.

2. First Aid and Emergency Procedures

• All first aiders should have a current up to date First Aid at Work certificate
• The place to go in the event of an emergency is called an ‘assembly point’
• The location of emergency assembly points should be identified in the site induction

1. Working Environment

The courses in the Working Environment section give information about your work environment, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your employer towards ensuring everyone is working safely on site. You will begin to understand how to manage waste and conserve energy, what is appropriate PPE, and how to respond in situations involving accidents.

2. General Responsibilities

•   The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 contains legal duties for employers and employees.
•   Visitors and workers must be given a site induction and be authorised to enter the site.
•   Employers must provide information to workers about site rules, welfare facilities, and emergency procedures.
•   Workers should be provided with clean welfare facilities and information regarding hazards and risks at work.
•   Everyone on site is responsible for the consideration of neighbours and members of the public.
•   Employees should follow a 'safe system of work' agreed with the employer.
•   A safe system of work would include information such as the sequence of work and any hazards associated with the task.
•   The purpose of a risk assessment is to identify hazards and control risk.
•   Risk assessments consider the likelihood of a hazard occurring, and the seriousness of harm that could occur.
•   A method statement will inform a worker of the safe way to carry out a task.
•   If a task feels dangerous or unsafe stop work and report it immediately.

1. High Risk Activities

Understand how careful planning along with the use of correct equipment and appropriate PPE will help to ensure you work safely.
Be aware of control measures when using hazardous substances.

2. Hazardous Substances

• Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can be difficult to identify. Asbestos is made-up of hazardous, microscopic fibres which can easily be inhaled.
• If you think a material contains asbestos, always assume it does. Stop work, warn others, and report it to your supervisor.
• Your employer should ensure that exposure to hazardous substances is prevented or adequately controlled.
• Health and safety information for hazardous substances should be detailed in a COSHH assessment.
• Control measures for working with hazardous substances should be monitored regularly.
• Wet cement and concrete can cause skin burns and dermatitis if they are in direct contact with your skin.
• Lead is toxic. The most common route of entry into the body is via the mouth (ingestion).

1. Occupational Health

Understand how to work safely, and how to protect yourself and others on site.
Know about common health issues at work and how to avoid them.

2. Health and Welfare

• On site your employer should provide a covered rest area with seating, tables, access to drinking water, and facilities to boil water and heat food
• The area should be kept tidy and in order not to encourage rats, waste should be disposed of in the provided bins
• Tiredness and fatigue at work may be caused by working long hours, doing repetitive and monotonous tasks, or poorly scheduled work patterns. All can affect the work rate of employees meaning they will work more slowly or could even result in errors, causing accident and injury
• Fatigue can be reduced by taking regular breaks and having regular start and finish times
• The risk of errors at work are also increased if you are taking medication or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which may cause drowsiness, slowing reaction times and affect your judgement
• If you suspect a colleague has been drinking then discuss the situation with a supervisor or employer as they may be unsafe to work with
• When a doctor prescribes medication you should ask if it is likely to affect your health and safety at work, or that of others. If it is then inform your manager
• If you are continuing on medication after a period of time off work due to illness, speak to your employer and let them know if there might be any risks to safety
• They should also help you plan how to take time dependent medication during work time
• Any records or discussions you have regarding health and medication will be treated confidentially in accordance with data protection laws

1. Occupational Health

Understand how to work safely, and how to protect yourself and others on site.
Know about common health issues at work and how to avoid them.

2. Manual Handling

• Using a wheelbarrow or other lifting aids to move heavy loads is classed as manual handling but they help to reduce the risk of personal injury.
• Workers should be trained in safe lifting techniques before manual handling or lifting.
• Adopting safe manual handling techniques will help to protect your back and reduce the risk of injury in the workplace.
• The manual handling acronym TILE stands for Task, Individual, Load, Environment.

1. Occupational Health

Understand how to work safely, and how to protect yourself and others on site.
Know about common health issues at work and how to avoid them.

2. Noise and Vibration

• If you have to raise your voice to be understood as a result of noise on site,  stop work and raise the problem with your supervisor
• Always wear the correct protection in a hearing protection zone
• Exposure to vibration is a serious issue as it can result in disabling health conditions that cannot be cured
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) includes a range of conditions that can lead to permanent damage in the hands and forearm
• Regular use of hand-held tools and equipment that vibrates is the main cause of hand-arm vibration syndrome
• Your employer should explain safe methods of use, and give you advice on exposure times for hand-held vibrating tools

1. Working Environment

The courses in the Working Environment section give information about your work environment, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your employer towards ensuring everyone is working safely on site. You will begin to understand how to manage waste and conserve energy, what is appropriate PPE, and how to respond in situations involving accidents.

2. Personal Protective Equipment

• Employers should provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE), and a means to maintain it correctly free of charge
• Wearing PPE will help to protect workers from physical injury or ill health
• Size and fit should be considered in the selection of suitable PPE
• Stop work immediately and replace PPE if it gets damaged

1. Safety

2. Safety Signs

For your safety and the safety of others it is vital that you recognise safety signs on site, understand their meaning and act accordingly.

1. High Risk Activities

Understand how careful planning along with the use of correct equipment and appropriate PPE will help to ensure you work safely.

2. Site Transport and Lifting Operations

• Careful planning and segregated pedestrian and vehicle routes contribute to safe transport related lifting operations
• People being struck by moving plant is one of the most common causes of injury and death on construction sites 
• Well organised sites will have segregated vehicle and pedestrian routes 
• Vehicle marshalls should be used to control, and ensure, safe vehicle movements on site 
• You must be trained, competent and authorised to operate or signal plant on any site 
• Loading and storage areas on site should be located away from main pedestrian routes 
• Poor ground conditions, excessive speed and poorly distributed loads will increase the risk of a vehicle overturning 
• One of the most common accidents involving dumpers is overturning 
• You should be provided with information about site traffic rules in your site induction 

1. High Risk Activities

Understand how careful planning along with the use of correct equipment and appropriate PPE will help to ensure you work safely.

2. Working at Height

• Work at height is defined as work at any height where a person could fall and be injured.
• Every year falls from height kill more construction workers than any other type of accident.
• Work at height should be avoided where possible.
• If you are involved in work at height, your employer should ensure that you have sufficient information, instruction and equipment so that you can work safely.
• All equipment for working at height should be inspected before use.
• There should always be a rescue plan if people are working at height.
• If you feel that the task you are completing at height is unsafe, stop work and report it to your supervisor.
• It would be classed as working at height if you were standing on the back of a lorry during loading or unloading activities.
• All roofs should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed they are not.
• Safe access and a safe working platform should be provided for all work on fragile roofs.
• One of the leading causes of injury on construction sites is as a result of workers being struck by falling objects.
• Do not attempt to erect, alter or dismantle a mobile access tower unless you have been trained and you are authorised to do so.
• Make sure that there are no people, tools or equipment on a mobile access tower before you attempt to move it.
• The erection, alteration, inspection and dismantling of scaffolding should only be carried out by trained and authorised persons.
• Personal fall-arrest equipment is designed to minimise the consequences if a fall occurs, and will only protect an individual worker.

1.

This construction site induction is a Safety Briefing which should be completed by everyone prior to working on site. It covers safety rules and controls in place, the hazards you could be exposed to, and how to work safely.