There are many health and safety issues relating to the construction industry in general. Such issues have made the construction industry the most dangerous on-land industries for one to work in. Injury and fatality statistics obtained from different sources worldwide is a clear indication of how dangerous working in the industries is and for this reason, principle construction companies are required to put in place elaborate measures aimed at protecting their employees at construction sites. This is in addition to adhering to relevant construction legislations in place.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act that is in force in many jurisdictions lays the basis of measures that principle construction and other employers need to adhere to. For the construction industry in particular, it is a legal requirement to have a Health & Safety Policy document for any construction site. This is a document or statement of principle prepared by a construction company’s management indicating its commitment to workplace health and safety. A company’s management must operationalize its policy document through various safety programs for the benefit of employees.
Although there is a standard policy document relating to the construction industry, a company’s management is obligated to develop a policy that addresses health and safety issues relating to specific construction sites. A policy should ideally be s straightforward statement but broad enough to cover all that relates to a construction site. It should be a living document open for review. In this regard, it should be capable of accommodating other health and safety issues that may emerge in the course of construction work. It is a legal requirement that principle contractors must prepare and sign fresh policy documents every year.
A basic Health & Safety Policy document should contain a written statement indicating a management’s principles and goals regarding health and safety of employees. It must be signed by the chief executive officer of the company in addition to signatories by other relevant company personnel. More importantly, it must contain the date it is prepared, which is an indication of its effectiveness. The statement should basically recognize the need to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other construction regulations.
A well designed Health & Safety Policy statement should acknowledge the right of every employee at a construction site to work in a safe and healthy environment free of any risks. It is a legal requirement for a prepared policy document to be posted in a conspicuous location where all employees can access the same. In addition, copies of the same should be distributed to all departments. It must be followed by all employees including senior management in all construction work activities. A Health & Safety Policy document is affected through various health and safety programs that a company’s management must institute and appoint personnel whose duty is to ensure that such programs are followed.
