Health and Safety
Safe work is an engineering responsibility.
Protecting workers and others affected by site activities is fundamental to safe work.
01
Recognising risks before work begins
A safe site requires advance assessment of hazards specific to the work. Excavation, work at height, lifting operations, mobile machinery, electricity, confined spaces and interaction with traffic must each be considered for the particular site. Assessments should be reviewed when conditions or methods change.
The preferred prevention sequence is to eliminate the hazard where possible, select a safer method, apply collective protection and engineering measures, then support these with organisational measures and suitable personal protective equipment. PPE alone does not replace a safe system of work.
02
Safe methods and clear responsibilities
Equipment suitability, maintenance and inspection needs, separation of vehicles and pedestrians, access routes, site organisation and emergency preparation should be part of the work plan. Tasks, working conditions and the limits of each person’s responsibilities should be clear.
Information and training should relate to the task and its hazards, be understandable and practical, and be renewed when needed. The aim is an environment in which workers can report hazards and request that unsafe work be stopped and reassessed.
03
Health and a culture of safety
Dust, noise, vibration, heat and cold, manual handling and fatigue require attention beyond immediate accident risks. Exposure should be assessed in the context of the work, with appropriate arrangements for work, rest, hygiene and health surveillance determined with competent professionals.
Understanding the causes of near misses and accidents, following up corrective action and involving workers support a culture of safety. We aim to develop a working environment where risks are reported promptly, precautions are reviewed and everyone can contribute to safe work.