One in eight construction workers unprepared to deal with safety issues

These findings were revealed in a survey of 500 construction industry professionals commissioned by SafeSite Facilities, which delivers site safety products and expertise to construction companies nationwide.

It also uncovered 32% said they had felt unprepared to deal with a safety issue multiple times, with only 18% answering that they had never felt unprepared.

Jack Lowdell, manager at SafeSite Facilities, said: “It’s very concerning that most individuals have felt they were not being trained properly to keep themselves and others safe on site.

“Safety training cannot be treated like a tick-box exercise. Good quality, thorough and up-to-date training is a non-negotiable for all construction industry professionals.

“It’s also important for construction firms to carefully consider their site safety strategy and harness the powers of CCTV and AI to prevent accidents. Cameras can easily be equipped with loudspeakers to warn employees who are at risk.”

The survey findings show how emergency preparedness has become an overlooked priority in today’s construction landscape, as regular drills and business continuity testing were standard practice before the pandemic.

Whether it’s a bomb threat, a site evacuation or a medical emergency, teams must be prepared, especially with an ageing workforce.

Dr Lowellyne James, HSEQ manager at SafeSite Facilities, added: “With the rise of hybrid working and fragmented site attendance, many companies have allowed these critical safety protocols to slip off the agenda.

“And with an ageing workforce, where the average working age for construction workers is now middle-aged, the risks are even more acute.

“We’ve seen firsthand how preparedness saves lives, which is why we would advise equipping teams with defibrillators and training staff to respond.”

SafeSite Facilities is a leader in construction, event site safety and security.

For more information, visit https://www.safesitefacilities.co.uk