TABLE OF CONTENTS The construction industry covers a wide range of activities from large-scale civil engineering projects to very small house extensions. The construction industry has approximately 200 000 firms, of whom only 12 000 employ more than seven people - many of these firms are much smaller. The use of sub-contractors is very common at all levels of the industry.
It is most likely that everybody will be aware or involved with some aspect of the construction industry at their place of work - either in terms of the repair and modification of existing buildings or a major new engineering project. It is, therefore, important that the health and safety practitioner has some basic knowledge of the hazards and health and safety legal requirements associated with construction.
Over many years, the construction industry has had a poor health and safety record. In 1966, there were 292 fatalities in the industry and by 1995 this figure had reduced to 62, but by 2000/2001 the figure had increased to 106. These figures include deaths of members of the public, including children playing on construction sites. Most of these fatalities (over 70%) were caused by falls from height.
At a conference, organized by the Health and Safety Commission in February 2001, to address the problem, it was noted that at least two construction workers are being killed each week. Targets were set to reduce the number of fatalities and major injuries by 40% over a 4-year period.
Due to the fragmented nature of...
