Health and Safety Advice
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous, so if you are taking on your own self build construction, it is vital that you have an awareness of Health and Safety so that everything is done to reduce the risk of accident, illness and even death.
Firstly get covered
You will need to take out public liability cover to protect you and your new home against claims of negligence should an accident occur resulting in injury to a member of the public.
Get a quote for public liability insurance
Both types of liability insurance cover are included within our all inclusive site insurance, and with this insurance you will also receive guidance notes from us with all important information regarding Health and Safety.
Then get informed
Although the responsibility for building Health and Safety will fall to your contractor, it’s important to research how best to safeguard the health and safety of people in and around your site.
As a starter, here are a few key things to bear in mind:
- Declare your site a hard hat area during construction
- Ensure workers on site wear other appropriate clothing, e.g. goggles, boots with reinforced toe
- Ban children from the site
- Store all materials carefully; handle them according to instructions
- Keep a first aid box handy on site and make sure everyone knows where it is
As a domestic client, i.e. if you will live in the premises where the work is carried out, you do not have duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, but anyone who you have employed to work on your build will need to comply with these regulations.
Health and safety advice for the self builder
To assist you and your contractors in obtaining more detailed information, we have compiled a list of useful websites that can assist you in ensuring that your site is safe and that all of the possible hazards have been considered. You will find a selection of leaflets to download and health and safety advice and guidance at the following websites.
Health and Safety on site cannot be underestimated. As the site manager, ultimately you must take responsibility or at least delegate this out to one of your contractors. You can also contact your local Health and Safety office before work starts for further information about safe working practices.