Safety in the construction industry
In terms of the built environment, the term ‘safety’ generally refers to the condition of being protected, or safe, from hazards and other undesirable events. As construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, the positive control and management of hazards and risks to achieve a sufficiently-high level of safety is very important, and is often a legal requirement.
From a safety perspective, a hazard is a condition with the potential to cause physical impairment or health consequences in people or other types of life.
Safety audits are carried out to assess health and safety processes on construction sites, considering; legislative requirements, industry best practice, and the contractor’s own health and safety management systems.
Construction companies use a wide range of safety practices as part of their safety management programmes, with an increasing emphasis on creating a safety culture throughout the organisation.
The term ‘safety’ can also be used to refer to how safe or protected against harmful events a building or structure is when it is in use. This can be in relation to extreme weather, earthquakes, security, operational failures or hazards, and so on.
For a full list of articles related to safety, see Health and Safety.
See also: Building safety.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Automated external defibrillator AED.
- BREEAM Safety and security.
- Building safety.
- Competent person.
- Construction Client Buddy Scheme.
- Construction Health and Safety Group CHSG.
- Electrical safety.
- Electrical safety in the private rented sector.
- Electrical test equipment for use on low voltage electrical systems GS38.
- Fire.
- Health and safety.
- Health and safety plan.
- Injuries on construction sites.
- ISO 23234 and ISO 21542 security and accessibility standards
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
- Risk assessment.
- Safety audit.
- Safety briefing.
- Safety management.
- Security.
- Slip and trip hazards.
- Swarf.
- Warning pipe.
- What is a hazard?
- What is CLOCS?
- Working in confined conditions.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?