3 hacks to keep a successful construction startup safe

Setting up your own business in the construction sector is an attractive prospect for startup entrepreneurs with technical expertise.

New firms with networking savvy can sometimes secure lucrative contacts on exciting infrastructure projects that completely transform town and cities.

But one of the biggest potential pitfalls is health and safety — 2015/16 UK Government figures reported 30.4 million working days lost to work-related illness and injury and 137 employees killed at work.

With that in mind, here are three hacks to keep your construction startup safe.

Health and safety training

Robust staff training is the foundation of a good health and safety regime.

You may have hired experienced staff, but a bespoke safety induction should be mandatory regardless of prior experience — this ensures that all workers are aware of the standards expected at your operation.

If you have a manager who’s suitably qualified then you may be able to design and implement your own policies, procedures and training.

But a government body like HSL might be best placed to provide the most up-to-date training and advice — they’re a subsidiary of the Health and Safety Executive and carry out official compliance inspections on their behalf.

Compliance

The CSCS certification scheme is not mandated by legislation in the UK, but most major construction firms will insist that any employees on their sites are registered.

CSCS reassures an employer that a worker’s skill level and health and safety training is of a suitable standard.

So even though you don’t have to insist that your workers have CSCS cards it might be wise to do so.

But more specialised spheres must comply with mandatory regulation.

If you own and operate lifting equipment you’ll need to get to grips with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) — investing in lifting equipment inspection software is one way to easily maintain and monitor compliance across your facilities.

Accidents still happen in well-regulated organisations, but keeping on top of legal requirements minimises risks to employee health and to the long-term viability of your business.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment such as high-visibility clothing, strong gloves and safety glasses can literally save lives.

So it’s crucial that you don’t cut corners when investing in the appropriate kit for your employees.

But be sure that workers are aware of when and where PPE must be used — and introduce regular random spot-checks to make sure rules are adhered to.

Failing to provide the relevant PPE can leave workers with permanent health conditions — and lead to them seeking legal advice to secure substantial compensation.

So a well-stocked PPE storeroom is one simple fix that protects employee health and keeps delivery quality high.

Health and safety comes first in any business — but in a specialist field like construction it’s even more important.

Follow these three hacks to keep your construction startup safe and cement strong foundations for a flourishing business.

How do you keep your employees safe at work? Share your advice in the comments section.