Nick Higginson, CEO of Phoenix Health and Safety explains the importance of health and safety training in the construction industry.
Many people working in the construction industry have years of experience and expertise in their roles as builders, electricians, plumbers and general contractors. But anyone working in a construction environment must also ensure that health and safety procedures are maintained and held to the highest industry standards.
Regardless of the task at hand, it is the responsibility of a business to educate employees on the latest developments in the industry – whether it’s planning, controlling or monitoring health and safety in the workplace.
What do we mean by health and safety in construction?
Most businesses understand the importance of a workplace culture that values employee wellbeing and safety, and ensuring that staff feel safe in the workplace is essential to a businesses success. A focus on health and safety training improves the safety culture within an organisation and reduces the risk of injuries in the workplace.
Health and safety qualifications are beneficial to both business owners and employees; the correct training can reduce liability for the business and demonstrate care for staff, whilst providing employees valuable, transferable qualifications that can make them more employable and provide a potential salary boost.
Alongside this, self-employed builders will often have the sole responsibility for site health and safety on their projects, and a health and safety qualification can educate you on the potential risks associated with your job.
Why study a course relating to health and safety?
Wellbeing in the workplace is more important than it’s ever been. Employers are responsible for protecting the mental health of their employees, which includes stress associated with working in potentially high risk environments.
Training staff in health and safety gives both the employee and their organisation knowledge of the latest laws and procedures in the industry, whilst ensuring that staff feel confident working and planning in the workplace.
Health and Safety training is about minimising risks and keeping people safe, but it also makes great financial sense, with less injury-related absence from work and reduced risk of legal liabilities.
When choosing a health and safety qualification, ensure that it is the relevant one for your needs as different courses are catered towards specific sectors, careers and seniority. Whether you prefer e-learning or in person lessons, there are a wide range of courses available both online and in the classroom.
NEBOSH Construction Certificate
NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) is a globally recognised organisation, with its courses considered the gold standard in health and safety qualifications.
The NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction Certificate is one of the most widely respected health and safety qualifications available in the construction industry. It provides candidates with the practical skills and technical knowledge to effectively manage health and safety on a construction site.
This includes areas such as health and safety culture, CDM (Construction Design and Management) roles and responsibilities, assessing construction site risk, and work equipment.
CITB Qualifications
CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) is the industry training board for the construction sector in England, Scotland, and Wales.
CITB courses provide site managers, agents, and other construction industry professionals with the skills to deal with a variety of health and safety issues. For example, the Site Managers’ Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course covers the core health and safety issues involved in construction for those who manage and monitor small groups of people working on a construction site.
Other CITB courses include SSSTS (Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme), where construction site supervisors have a more supervisory level of training around the environment, legal, and safety welfare of a project or working construction site.
CSCS
CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards provide proof that those working on a construction site have the necessary training and qualifications to carry out their work safely. Whilst holding a CSCS card is not a legal requirement, most principal contractors and major house builders require workers on their sites to hold a valid card.
IOSH
IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) qualifications promote awareness of health and safety among the workforce and help to create safer environments. IOSH Working Safely provides basic training in health and safety for workers at all levels and industries. They’re a great, affordable way to train your team, with IOSH Working Safely costing just £85 per delegate when they study via E-learning.
Conclusion
Whatever specific course or training you decide is right for you and your team, you’ll get a return on your investment with a safer workplace, reduced liabilities and a happier team.
To learn more about health and safety training, and what Phoenix HSC can offer, visit
https://www.phoenixhsc.co.uk/
