Among those working in the construction and building industry, it’s a common occurrence to hear complaints about issues around there being far too much red tape in modern times, which is seen by some as having a very negative effect on how the industry works today. Some people in the industry get frustrated and feel it’s almost impossible to complete large projects on time within deadlines, and on budget, whilst also managing to stay within all the regulations that surround construction in the UK in 2021. However, on the flipside of the argument, there are also many clear advantages and benefits that come with all the increased health and safety measures now in place in the UK. Construction is now a far cleaner, safer, and more well-regulated industry compared to how used to operate in decades gone by.Â
Here we take a look into why increased health and safety measures in construction should be celebrated and have represented a move in a positive direction for those working in construction. Instead of getting rid of all the red tape, we focus on how things are now better well run with tighter health and safety measures.Â
Discussions on Safety in Construction Should Start with Protecting the Workers       Â
One of the primary aims of having health and safety measures in place should be to protect the safety and wellbeing of workers. Construction and building can at times be a very dangerous job, where workers are faced daily with having to carry out hazardous tasks in difficult challenging environments and in all weathers. As a result, in 2021 employers in construction recognise the importance of the necessity for workers to wear safety clothing at work such as hard hats, safety boots, work trousers, high-visibility jackets and so on. If you are interested in looking into buying some quality durable workwear for your own construction project, head over to Snickers Workwear and check out their range.Â
Employers taking important steps such as doing health and safety checks prior to workers starting a job, educating employees so they are fully aware of the health and safety policies and how they must adhere to them, and insisting on workers wearing safety clothing on site whilst on a job, together can all make a huge difference in making things safer for workers. It is crucial for workers to feel safe and happy about coming into work and not to have any fears regarding their safety and wellbeing. Many people working in construction will also have families and loved ones waiting for them at home, so it’s an employer’s responsibility to do their best to ensure that they return home safely and in good physical shape.
Reduce the Risk of Serious Injury to Construction Workers
In the construction industry in the 60s, 70s, and the 80s, industrial workplace accidents in which workers sadly found themselves getting seriously injured or sometimes even killed occurred far too frequently. Industrial accidents in construction have always been a lose-lose situation for employers and employees alike. Employers find their profit margins being significantly cut into as they have to cover pay-out costs due to serious injuries to workers taking place in the workplace, whilst employee absenteeism also becomes a problem as employees have to take extended periods of time off work to recover from their injuries as much as possible. In serious industrial accidents in times gone by, it was not too uncommon for workers to even lose limbs too.Â
Less Threat of Legal Action
Accepting responsibility and legal liability for workplace accidents can be very damaging for a construction company. Having to regularly fork out big money to cover pay-outs when accepting legal liability as an employer for industrial accidents and injuries to workers at work can be a very bad look for a construction company and make it look careless and reckless. Any construction company’s reputation can be rapidly destroyed if there’s a trend of it not managing to look after its staff and being liable and accepting responsibility for several workplace industrial accidents. When a construction company implements modern-day health and safety procedures and policies in the correct manner, it is less likely to have to encounter the hassle and cost of the constant threat of facing legal action and lawsuits.
Poor Workplace Health and Safety Can Be a PR Nightmare for Construction Companies
Corporate responsibility is very important today in enabling construction companies to gain a better reputation among its valued business partners, investors, and customers. Being found out on multiple occasions for being liable for workplace injuries to staff is a real PR nightmare for any construction company operating in 2021, especially with social media and the ability for word to start spreading so quickly about employers offering workers poor working conditions and not looking after their staff properly. So, protecting and safeguarding staff adequately is key to a construction company managing to maintain and uphold a respectable reputation in the industry. Safety and caring greatly for the welfare of its employees is essential to a construction company’s branding in 2021.
Adequate Workplace Safety Measures are Important in Ensuring Staff Welfare and Morale
It is the right of construction workers to be able to feel safe, protected, and reassured when going into the workplace. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) UK government agency’s policy regarding workers’ health and safety states that all workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. And if employers in the construction industry fail to make sure they do enough to make sure workers feel comfortable and feel, it will have a direct negative impact on their business. Implementing modern day health and safety measures stringently demonstrates that an employer in the construction industry cares about the welfare of its employees.
The Importance of Safer Buildings Being Constructed in 2021
Buildings first and foremost need to be safe. When corners are cut, and buildings are made out of unsafe non-durable materials by cowboy builders who don’t take enough care in their work, the consequences can be severely damaging. Not only may a construction company have to pay out a lot of money to cover the repair costs of a poorly constructed building, residential buildings that are built out of poor-quality materials can also greatly endanger many people’s lives for example. If more red-tape and health and safety regulations surrounding construction projects means that buildings of all types are made to be safer, then more building regulations can only be seen as a good thing and a positive force for good.
Safe modern buildings made out of reliable materials which are capable of safely standing the test of time should be applauded and celebrated, instead of being criticised for focussing too much on red tape and adhering religiously to the legislative framework of modern-day building regulations. Ask yourself the question whether you would like to move into an apartment in a building which has had question marks and serious doubts regarding its safety.
Overall, red tape and increased health and safety measures despite sometimes appearing like a bit of a bore are necessary in ensuring safety in the construction industry in 2021.Â
