Course Title: Health and Safety in Construction
Course Introduction
The "Health and Safety in Construction" course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and regulations governing health and safety in the construction industry. Given the hazardous nature of construction work, it is essential for students to develop the knowledge and skills to identify risks, assess potential hazards, and implement effective safety measures. The course will cover UK health and safety legislation, industry standards, risk management, and practical applications of health and safety protocols.
Course Goals
- Equip students with knowledge about health and safety regulations specific to the construction sector.
- Develop critical thinking skills for risk assessment and management.
- Foster an understanding of the importance of workplace safety culture.
- Empower students to advocate for and implement effective health and safety practices.
Course Aims
- To provide an overview of UK health and safety legislation relevant to the construction industry.
- To analyse common hazards in construction and their potential impacts on health and safety.
- To engage students in practical risk assessment activities.
- To encourage the development of safe working practices and procedures.
Course Structure
Module 1: Introduction to Health and Safety
Lesson 1: Overview of Health and Safety Legislation
- Introduction to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Key regulations and their importance in construction
Lesson 2: Understanding Health and Safety Policies
- Development and implementation of health and safety policies
- Roles and responsibilities of employers and employees
Lesson 3: The Importance of Safety Culture
- Defining safety culture and its significance in construction
- Strategies for fostering a positive safety culture
Module 2: Risk Assessment
Lesson 4: Principles of Risk Assessment
- The rationale for risk assessment
- Legal requirements for risk assessment in construction
Lesson 5: Conducting a Risk Assessment
- Step-by-step process of risk assessment
- Practical exercises in identifying and assessing risks
Lesson 6: Risk Control Measures
- Hierarchy of control measures
- Implementing effective control strategies
Module 3: Common Hazards in Construction
Lesson 7: Falls from Height
- Statistics and impact of falls in construction
- Preventative measures and safety equipment
Lesson 8: Working with Machinery
- Common machinery hazards
- Operator safety and maintenance requirements
Lesson 9: Manual Handling and Ergonomics
- Risks associated with manual handling
- Ergonomic solutions to reduce injury
Module 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Lesson 10: Types of Personal Protective Equipment
- Overview of PPE types used in construction
- Importance of PPE in risk management
Lesson 11: Selection and Use of PPE
- Criteria for selecting appropriate PPE
- Proper use and maintenance of PPE
Module 5: Welfare and Health Risks
Lesson 12: Occupational Health Risks
- Identifying common health risks in construction (e.g., noise, chemicals)
- Monitoring health risks and implementing controls
Lesson 13: Mental Health in Construction
- Understanding mental health issues in the construction workforce
- Strategies for promoting mental well-being
Module 6: Emergency Procedures
Lesson 14: Emergency Planning
- Developing an emergency plan
- Legal requirements for emergency procedures
Lesson 15: Incident Reporting and Investigation
- Importance of incident reporting
- Techniques for conducting investigations
Module 7: Safety Management Systems
Lesson 16: Overview of Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Components and benefits of an SMS
- International and UK standards (e.g. ISO 45001)
Lesson 17: Auditing Health and Safety Practices
- Importance of audits in maintaining safety
- Techniques for conducting effective audits
Module 8: Construction Site Safety
Lesson 18: Site Induction and Training
- Importance of site safety inductions
- Best practices for training workers
Lesson 19: Site Layout and Safety
- How site layout affects safety
- Planning for safe access and egress
Lesson 20: Safety Signage and Communication
- Importance of signage on construction sites
- Effective communication strategies for safety information
Module 9: Environmental Considerations
Lesson 21: Environmental Health and Safety
- Understanding the relationship between environmental factors and health
- Potential environmental hazards in construction
Lesson 22: Sustainable Construction Practices
- Basics of sustainability in construction
- Impact of sustainable practices on safety
Module 10: Case Studies and Best Practices
Lesson 23: Case Study: Notable Construction Accidents
- Analysis of historical accidents and lessons learned
Lesson 24: Best Practices in Health and Safety Management
- Examples of organisations excelling in health and safety
- Key takeaways from best practice approaches
Module 11: Future Trends in Construction Safety
Lesson 25: Technology in Construction Safety
- Impact of technology on health and safety
- Emerging tools for risk assessment
Lesson 26: Legislative Changes and Impacts
- Overview of upcoming legislation and its implications for safety
- How to stay informed and adapt to changes
Module 12: Review and Assessment
Lesson 27: Course Review
- Recap of key concepts covered in the course
Lesson 28: Assessment Preparation
- Guidance on assessment format and expectations
Lesson 29: Assessment (Part 1)
- Conducting a theoretical assessment of knowledge
Lesson 30: Assessment (Part 2) and Course Conclusion
- Feedback on assessments
- Course wrap-up and future opportunities in health and safety
References
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (2023). Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Retrieved from HSE website
- Gough, J. (2019). Construction Health and Safety. London: Routledge.
- Gledhill, A., & Hill, K. (2020). Managing Health & Safety in Construction: A Guide for Site Managers. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
- ISO 45001:2018. Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use.
- British Safety Council. (2022). Health and Safety Management in Construction: A Best Practice Guide.
- Burke, R. (2018). Risk Assessment: A Practical Guide to Assessing and Managing Risk in Construction. London: Custer Press.