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.