Health and safety issues for the small builder.
Did you know that over half the fatalities in
the construction industry occur on sites with less than 10 workers?
That's over 50 deaths a year on sites that an experienced builder might
consider the most safe.
So why are the small building jobs so dangerous? A small building job doesn't have a health and safety budget, doesn't need to comply with CDM
regulations (construction, design and management) and is less likely to
receive a visit from the inspector (until its too late).
If you aren't concerned with your own health and safety you should be
concerned about any employees you have because if they
become one of the 4000 seriously injured each year, you could be facing compensation claims as well as being prosecuted under the health and
safety at work act (HSW act) 1974.
There are also 20,000 accidents a year resulting in 3 or more days off
work.
With a major health and safety executive clamp down due this summer by
the HSE now is the time to give some real thought to your working practices.
By complying with the various reg's and directives you are using good
working practice which apart from saving a life could also save you a
small fortune in compensation claims or fines and lost working
hours due to injury.
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