Safety
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY IN 2020: HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR SITE SAFER? In 2019, construction was the second most dangerous industry in which to work in the UK, behind agriculture, forestry and fishing. According to the HSE, of the 147 workers killed at work in 2018/19, 30 were construction workers. Construction also reports the second highest rate of nonfatal workplace injury.
It is also the industry that leads in terms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders – which are most commonly occurring in the upper limbs or neck and back. This was, however, slightly below the 2014/15-18/19 average of 36 – a sign that things are improving, if a little too slowly.
The UK has one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries of any EU country, Any deaths are of course unacceptable, and no family wants to experience the heartache associated with losing a loved one at work. But as a construction company it’s even more important to limit accidents – as not taking the right action can cost heavily. Over £54.5 million in fines were issued in 2019 alone. As construction professionals, it’s both our legal obligation and our moral duty to make sites as safe as possible. Doing the bare minimum to adhere to standards is not enough. There’s more that can be done.
Safety as a design consideration While many sites are planned with safety in mind, few projects are drawn from the ground up with safety built-in to both the site and the finished project. If a contractor enters a site and has to spend additional time devising a safe system of work, a project can be closed or delayed for an indeterminate amount of time which will
NEW EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet certified to both EN397 and EN12492 with integrated eye protection The EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet provides the perfect solution and protection for those needing both Head Protection for working at ground level and working at height combined with Eye Protection in the form of a lens or shield which is fully integrated and fully compatible. Combining the new EVO®VISTA™ retractable eyewear helmet technology with the innovative DUALSWITCH™ chinstrap harness system, it is easy for the wearer to switch between working at
ground level standard EN397 and working at height safety standard EN12492 by flicking a switch. At the same time, the EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ helmet provides individuals with compatible integrated Optical class 1 eye protection which is fully retractable when not in use and cannot be lost by the user or damaged on site after issue. Wearers can wear their own spectacles under the lens or shield saving additional costs to companies for prescription safety eyewear.
The EVO®VISTA™ DUALSWITCH™ Helmet offers the choice of either a VISTAlens™ or VISTAshield™ depending on the levels of protection and performance required. Select the EVO®VISTAlens™ DUALSWITCH™ Optical class 1 overspec for an unobstructed wide view lens conforming to EN166.1.FT.KN providing F rated impact protection - tested with 6mm steel ball bearing at speeds of up to 100mph (160kph), even at extreme temperatures with anti-scratch and anti-mist coatings. Or choose the EVO®VISTAshield™ DUALSWITCH™ Optical class 1 eyeshield which offers a clear panoramic view conforming to EN166.1.AT.KN providing A rated impact protection - tested with 6mm steel ball bearing at speeds of up to 425mph (685kph), even at extremes of temperature with anti-scratch and antimist coatings. The EVO® VISTA DUALSWITCH™ range has been designed to be fully compatible with JSP respirators such as the Force™8 PressToCheck™ and the Sonis® helmetmounted ear defender range. Website: www.jspsafety.com
40 Construction UK Magazine - March 2020