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 Wiki
- BREEAM Safety and security.
- Building safety.
- Competent person.
- Construction Health and Safety Group CHSG.
- Electrical safety.
- Electrical safety in the private rented sector.
- Fire.
- Health and safety.
- Health and safety plan.
- Injuries on construction sites.
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
- Risk assessment.
- Safety audit.
- Safety briefing.
- Safety management.
- Security.
- Slip and trip hazards.
- Swarf.
- What is a hazard?
- Working in confined conditions.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Conserving the Hilda Besse Building
Improving facilities, accessibility and overall appearance.
BSRIA IAQ topic guide published
Free download of TG 12/2021 available.
Electrotechincal mentors wanted
TESP works with The Youth Group to form skill sharing network.
OpenBuilt supply chain technology in development
Big tech collaborates on platform for the built environment.
Concerns raised over Future Buildings Standard
Letter signed by 21 organisations sent to MHCLG.
The infrastructure planning process
A look at the Government's strategic approach.
Steps to help reduce the spread of infection inside buildings.
Urban exploration and construction
This social media-centred hobby can be both dangerous and illegal.
Millwork wall treatment with a long and illustrious history.
Weekly workplace noise estimator tool
HSE introduces cumulative exposure calculator.
The Edwardians and their houses.
Cut off from civilian life for over 900 years.
Can net zero and levelling-up align?
Gaining green support from the carbon giants.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.