LO3: Minimising Risks to Health and Safety
Unit 1: Safety and Security in Construction
AC3.1 — Methods Used to Minimise Risks
Construction sites use a combination of management systems, physical controls, and training to minimise risks. These methods follow the hierarchy of control — eliminating or reducing hazards at source before relying on protective equipment.
Site Induction
Every worker must receive a site induction before starting work on a new site. The induction covers:
- Site rules and emergency procedures
- Location of welfare facilities (toilets, canteen, first aid)
- The site layout — access routes, traffic management
- Hazards specific to the site
- Permit to work systems in operation
- Who to report accidents and near misses to
Site inductions help ensure everyone on site is aware of the hazards and knows what is expected of them from day one.
Toolbox Talks
A toolbox talk is a short, informal safety briefing delivered on site, usually lasting 5–15 minutes. They are delivered by the site manager or a trade supervisor and focus on a specific hazard or task.
Examples of toolbox talk topics:
- Manual handling techniques
- Working safely at height
- Using hand and power tools safely
- Identifying and avoiding buried services
- Hot weather and dehydration
- Drug and alcohol policy
Toolbox talks are an important part of ongoing safety communication and help reinforce safe behaviours.
Permits to Work
A permit to work is a formal written document that authorises certain high-risk activities to take place. It ensures that:
- The work has been properly planned and risk assessed
- The right people are involved (including supervision)
- The appropriate controls are in place before work starts
- The work is formally signed off when complete
Permits to work are commonly used for:
| Work Type | Why a Permit is Needed |
|---|---|
| Hot works | Welding, cutting and grinding produce sparks and heat — fire risk |
| Confined spaces | Oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, flooding — potentially fatal |
| Excavation near services | Risk of striking gas, water or electricity cables |
| Working at height | High fall risk requiring specific controls |
| Electrical isolation | Prevents inadvertent energising of circuits |
Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
A safe system of work is a formal procedure that describes how to carry out a task safely. It is developed from the risk assessment and sets out:
- The sequence of steps in the task
- The hazards at each step
- The controls to be applied
- The equipment and PPE required
Safe systems of work are often documented as method statements.
Welfare Facilities
The CDM Regulations 2015 require that adequate welfare facilities are provided on all construction sites. These include:
- Sanitary conveniences (toilets) — flushed with water or chemically, kept clean, separate for men and women where reasonably practicable
- Washing facilities — hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap and towels or drying facilities
- Drinking water — wholesome, clearly marked, adequate supply
- Changing rooms and lockers — where workers need to change into work clothing
- Rest facilities — a clean, warm place to take breaks; facilities for preparing and heating food
Good welfare facilities are important for worker wellbeing and help prevent illness from contact with site contaminants (e.g. washing hands before eating prevents ingestion of hazardous substances).
CSCS Cards
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) provides cards that confirm the holder has the right training and qualifications for their job on a construction site.
- Most principal contractors require all workers to hold a valid CSCS card
- Different coloured cards represent different levels of qualification and experience
- The card scheme helps ensure only competent, trained workers are on site
Traffic Management
On large construction sites, vehicle and pedestrian movements must be carefully managed to prevent collisions:
- Segregating pedestrians from vehicles — separate footpaths and vehicle routes
- One-way systems — reduce the need for reversing
- Banksmen — trained personnel who guide vehicles when reversing
- Speed limits — typically 5–10 mph on site
- Signage — clear signs directing traffic and warning of hazards
- Lighting — adequate illumination of routes at night
Control of Noise
To reduce noise risks under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005:
- Substitution — use quieter equipment (e.g. electric rather than petrol tools)
- Engineering controls — acoustic enclosures around noisy plant; noise barriers
- Administrative controls — rotate workers to limit exposure time; schedule noisy work away from other trades where possible
- Health surveillance — regular hearing tests for workers exposed to high levels of noise
Control of Vibration
To reduce vibration risks under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005:
- Substitution — use low-vibration tools where possible
- Engineering controls — anti-vibration mounts and handles
- Administrative controls — limit daily exposure time; job rotation; regular breaks
- Health surveillance — regular medical checks for workers exposed to vibration
Control of Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
To reduce risks from hazardous substances:
- Elimination/substitution — use a less hazardous material (e.g. water-based rather than solvent-based products)
- Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) — capture dust or fumes at source
- Wet cutting — suppress silica dust when cutting concrete or stone
- Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) — as a last resort when dust or fumes cannot be controlled at source
Emergency Procedures
All sites must have procedures in place for emergencies:
- Fire procedures — fire risk assessment, extinguishers, fire exits, assembly points, trained fire marshal
- First aid — adequate first-aiders on site, first aid kit, accident book
- Emergency contacts — posted in welfare facilities
- Evacuation drills — ensuring everyone knows what to do
AC3.2 — The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any equipment worn or held by a person to protect against health and safety risks. Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers must provide appropriate PPE free of charge where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.
PPE is the last line of defence in the hierarchy of control — it should only be relied on after other controls have been applied.
Why PPE is Important
- It protects against residual risk — even with good engineering and administrative controls, some risk remains. PPE reduces that residual risk.
- It is the last barrier between the worker and harm — if all other controls fail, PPE can prevent or reduce injury.
- It is legally required in many situations on construction sites.
- Many injuries are preventable — a significant proportion of construction injuries could have been prevented or reduced by wearing appropriate PPE.
Types of PPE and Their Uses
| PPE | Hazard Protected Against | When Required |
|---|---|---|
| Hard hat / safety helmet | Falling objects, striking head on fixed objects | At all times on most sites |
| Safety boots / footwear (steel toecap, midsole) | Crushing from falling objects; penetration from nails | At all times on most sites |
| High-visibility (hi-vis) vest or jacket | Being struck by vehicles or plant | Wherever vehicles operate |
| Safety glasses / goggles | Dust, flying debris, chemical splash | Cutting, grinding, using chemicals |
| Gloves | Cuts, abrasions, chemical contact, vibration | Handling sharp materials, chemicals, vibrating tools |
| Dust mask (FFP2/FFP3 respirator) | Silica dust, wood dust, general construction dust | Cutting, drilling, sanding concrete/stone/wood |
| Full-face respirator | Chemical fumes, vapours, asbestos | Working with hazardous substances, asbestos removal |
| Ear defenders / ear plugs | Noise-induced hearing loss | Noisy environments above 85 dB(A) |
| Fall arrest harness | Falls from height | Working at height where edge protection is not sufficient |
| High-visibility clothing | Being struck by vehicles | Roadworks, sites with vehicle movements |
| Knee pads | Knee injuries from kneeling on hard surfaces | Laying flooring, tiling |
| Waterproof clothing | Hypothermia, prolonged exposure to rain | Outdoor work in wet conditions |
Limitations of PPE
PPE has significant limitations — this is why it is always the last resort:
- It only protects the wearer — it does not eliminate or reduce the hazard itself
- It must be worn correctly at all times — PPE that is incorrectly worn or removed provides no protection
- Workers may find it uncomfortable or restrictive and be tempted not to wear it
- It requires maintenance and replacement — worn or damaged PPE does not provide full protection
- It can interfere with communication — ear defenders can make it hard to hear warnings
- Workers must be trained in the correct use of each type of PPE
Employer Duties Regarding PPE
- Carry out an assessment to ensure the PPE is suitable for the risk
- Provide PPE free of charge
- Ensure PPE is properly maintained and stored
- Provide workers with information, instruction and training on how to use PPE
- Ensure PPE is actually used — supervisors must enforce the wearing of PPE
Employee Duties Regarding PPE
- Use PPE in accordance with training
- Report any defects in PPE to the employer immediately
- Store PPE correctly when not in use (e.g. store hard hats and helmets away from heat and sunlight)
- Do not interfere with or misuse PPE provided for health and safety
Exam Practice
2024 Summer — 6 marks
Complete the table to identify the correct colour code for each type of extinguisher and give an example of a type of fire where each may be used. (Water = Red / Paper is given.)
| Extinguisher type | Colour code | Type of fire |
|---|---|---|
| Dry powder | ||
| CO2 | ||
| Wet chemical |
Mark scheme answer
| Extinguisher type | Colour code | Type of fire (examples) | |---|---|---| | Dry powder | Blue | Paper/Wood/Textile, Flammable liquids, Flammable gases, Electrical | | CO2 | Black | Electrical, Flammable liquids | | Wet chemical | Yellow | Oil/Fats, Paper/Wood/Textile |2024 Summer — 4 marks
A construction company is undertaking work on a busy street. Only a temporary fence has been erected.
Describe two other control measures that could be taken to minimise health and safety risks to members of the public when work is taking place.
Mark scheme answer
Any two, one mark for the measure and one mark for description/reason: - Installation of sturdy barriers (1) to warn people of the hazards (1) - Installation of signs (1) to warn people of the hazards (1) - Use of Hi-Viz (1) to ensure workers can be seen (1) - Use of a banksman (1) to ensure vehicle is operated safely (1) - Use of separate walkways (1) to limit interaction between work and pedestrians (1)2023 Summer — 8 marks
Other than hard hats and high visibility jackets, identify one appropriate item of PPE for each situation and justify its use. Use a different item of PPE for each situation.
(i) Cutting sheet metal with a circular saw
(ii) Fitting tiles on a roof
(iii) Carrying bricks around a busy construction site
(iv) Mixing potentially hazardous materials on a construction site
Mark scheme answer
**(i)** Specialist gloves (1) — prevents damage to hands (1) OR Safety goggles (1) — prevents injury to eyes from flying particles (1) **(ii)** Harness (1) — prevents injury from falling (1) OR Gloves (1) — prevents damage to hands/improves grip (1) **(iii)** Gloves (1) — prevents damage to hands/improves grip (1) OR Safety boots (1) — prevents injury from falling bricks (1) **(iv)** Overalls (1) — prevents burns to skin (1) OR Gloves (1) — prevents burns/dermatitis (1) OR Safety goggles (1) — prevents burns/damage to eyes (1) OR Mask (1) — prevents inhalation of harmful gases (1)2023 Summer — 2 marks
A fire has started in an office containing numerous computers and other electronic devices.
(i) Identify one type of fire extinguisher that could be used.
(ii) Identify one type of fire extinguisher that should not be used.
Mark scheme answer
**(i) Could be used:** CO2 (1) OR Dry Powder (1) **(ii) Should not be used:** Water (1) OR Foam (1) OR Wet Chemical (1)2023 Summer — 2 marks
A pan of cooking oil has caught fire in a canteen.
(i) Identify one type of fire extinguisher that could be used.
(ii) Identify one type of fire extinguisher that should not be used.
Mark scheme answer
**(i) Could be used:** Wet Chemical (1) OR Fire Blanket (1) **(ii) Should not be used:** CO2 (1) OR Dry Powder (1) OR Water (1) OR Foam (1)2022 Summer (S22) — 6 marks
Explain the application and purpose of each of the following items of PPE:
(i) Hard hat
(ii) Hi-vis clothing
(iii) Protective footwear
Mark scheme answer
**(i) Hard hat** — the hard shell helps protect your head by absorbing impacts from flying objects, falling objects or exposed electrical conductors (2) **(ii) Hi-vis clothing** — improves your visibility so that the wearer can be easily seen against almost any background (2) **(iii) Protective footwear** — protects against compression, puncture and impact injuries along with hot surfaces and chemical spillage (2)2021 Winter — 12 marks
For each construction site activity below, identify the most appropriate safety sign and explain the safety benefit associated with each sign.
- Using a demolition hammer
- Working in a dimly lit area
- Applying paint in a confined space
- General work on a construction site
Mark scheme answer
**Using a demolition hammer:** Mandatory Ear Defenders sign (1) — reduces the risk of injury to hearing by reducing noise levels for the wearer (2). **Working in a dimly lit area:** Mandatory High-Vis Vest sign (1) — reduces risks associated with not being seen, reducing likelihood of accidents such as collisions with site vehicles (2). **Applying paint in a confined space:** Mandatory Respirator Must Be Worn sign (1) — reduces the risk of respiratory injury and disease for the wearer by filtering airborne particles (2). **General work on a construction site:** Mandatory Safety Footwear sign (1) — reduces risks associated with foot injuries, protects against falling debris/materials (2).2021 Winter — 4 marks
A large construction site has over fifty staff and thirty sub-contractors. With so many workers on site, the delivery of materials, equipment and plant can be very dangerous.
Recommend two control measures that could be used to help ensure the safety of staff when materials, equipment and plant are delivered.
Mark scheme answer
Any two, each with a reason (2 marks each): - **Agreed delivery times** (1) — staff are made aware of timings in advance, making the site safer (1) - **Temporary traffic lights on site** (1) — better manages flow of delivery traffic, reduces likelihood of vehicular accidents and allows staff to cross safely (1) - **Designated person at site entrance** (1) — makes staff aware of deliveries and assists in safe organisation of the delivery (1) - **Use of two-way radio** (1) — helps communication between staff and drivers (1)2022 Winter — 2 marks
Explain the purpose of a ‘permit to work’.