How to conduct a construction Health & Safety inspection

With the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reporting that the construction industry was responsible for the highest number of workplace fatalities in 2023/24 – with a total of 51 deaths– Health & Safety in construction has never been so important.

The best way to make sure your site is safe? Regular Health & Safety inspections.

We’re here to help you decipher all the legislation you need to understand in order to complete your Health & Safety inspections, so that you can make sure you are keeping your employees and your business safe and protected.

 

What is a Health & Safety inspection for construction?

A Health & Safety inspection is a methodical process that looks at your current practice and is key to ensuring the safety of construction site workers and visitors. Conducting a Health & Safety inspection in construction assesses the safety regulations in place and identifies any potential hazards on a site. Your inspection findings will also provide a basis for improvement going forward.

It can focus on specific areas, such as work-at-height control measures, or take a broader approach and look at all areas of your construction site.

While inspecting, you may also review and observe staff members’ working practices to ensure they’re complying with the latest Health & Safety regulations.

It may be beneficial to have someone independent of, but familiar with, the area to be inspected (such as another construction site manager) complete the inspection for fairness and objectivity.

Alternatively, you may wish to have it carried out by a third party independent of your organisation. This could be a Health & Safety service provider or an external inspector – however, it must be conducted by a qualified competent person.

Construction site Health & Safety inspections typically cover the following:

• Hazards
• Building /demolition works
• Scaffolding
• Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPS)
• Ladders and step ladders

This list can be extended, reduced or modified depending on the scale and nature of your site.

 

How to conduct a Health & Safety inspection for construction

The key steps of a Health & Safety inspection are:

1 – Conduct an opening meeting with all relevant construction site workers

Start the inspection process by gathering all relevant workers for an opening meeting. This meeting is to introduce the inspection team, outline the scope and objectives of the inspection, and address any questions or concerns. It’s also a good opportunity to confirm logistical arrangements and make sure everyone understands their role in the process.

2 – Visit the construction site and assess risks for employees

A comprehensive site visit is crucial to identify potential hazards and assess risks to employee Health & Safety. Inspectors should examine all areas of the site, including work areas, equipment, machinery, and common areas. Pay close attention to potential risks associated with working at height, confined spaces, electricity, hazardous materials, and moving vehicles.

3 – Note down on-site observations

Detailed record-keeping is essential during the site visit. Inspectors should meticulously document their observations, including any unsafe conditions, potential hazards, and areas of concern. Use a clear and consistent format, such as a checklist, a table, or detailed notes, to make sure all findings are captured accurately.

4 – Identify strengths and weaknesses

After the site visit, analyse the findings to identify both strengths and weaknesses in the site’s health and safety management system. Acknowledge existing good practices and highlight areas where improvements are needed. This analysis provides a balanced perspective and helps to focus improvement efforts.

5 – Rank site issues based on their severity (major risks should be addressed first)

Prioritise identified issues based on their potential severity and the likelihood of harm. Focus on addressing major risks that could lead to serious injuries or fatalities first. This risk-based approach ensures that the most critical hazards are tackled immediately, followed by less urgent concerns.

6 – Implement a performance review system (if there isn’t one in place)

A robust performance review system is crucial for ongoing monitoring and improvement. If a system isn’t already in place, establish a process for regularly reviewing Health & Safety performance. This could involve setting key performance indicators (KPIs), tracking incident rates, and conducting periodic audits.

7 – Submit the inspection report

Put together a comprehensive inspection report that documents all findings, observations, and recommendations. This report should be clear, concise, and easily accessible to relevant people. You could think about using digital tools or Health & Safety software to manage and store inspection reports, ensuring a clear audit trail for future reference.

8 – Take steps to eliminate hazards and improve practices

Develop an action plan to address the identified hazards and weaknesses. This may involve implementing corrective measures, providing additional Health & Safety training, updating safety procedures and improving Health & Safety policies, or investing in new equipment. Prioritise actions based on the risk assessment and make sure that all necessary resources are allocated.

9 – Conduct a closing meeting

Once the inspection report is finalised and an action plan is in place, hold a closing meeting with relevant stakeholders. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the overall findings, review the recommended actions, and clarify any outstanding questions. Make sure that everyone understands their responsibilities in implementing the improvements.

The importance of Health & Safety inspections in construction

Construction site managers must follow specific Health & Safety regulations to ensure the safety of workers and visitors. Failing to prioritise Health & Safety can result in fines and, more importantly, serious workplace accidents.

Identify Health & Safety problems

High-quality Health & Safety risk assessments will help to identify potential hazards on a construction site, along with the controls required to mitigate them. It is important to regularly monitor and inspect your site to ensure that the controls are being followed. Any high-risk hazards or poor practices should be addressed as soon as possible.

Prevent workplace injuries

Poor Health & Safety management can result in serious injuries and even fatalities. A professional Health & Safety risk assessment reduces the chance of an accident happening on your construction site and ensures that you’re following regulations.

Greater legal compliance

All businesses in the UK must adhere to Health & Safety legislation in the workplace. In the construction sector, there are also specific processes outlined by the HSE for firms to follow. Download our handy Health & Safety in construction checklist to make sure you’re sticking to these.

Health & Safety inspections provide a useful tool to improve compliance and ensure all team members are sticking to the right procedures. A good Health & Safety record can give you an edge over competitors and even lower insurance premiums.

 

Citation Health & Safety inspections

There’s no room for error when it comes to Health & Safety in the construction sector. We’ve helped countless construction firms to assess their current Health & Safety performance and make improvements going forward. This has resulted in hundreds of happy clients with safer workplaces, who have been able to access the many benefits of achieving complete compliance.

If you need support, then we can help with Health & Safety site inspections carried out by our experts. Learn more in our Health & Safety for construction guide.

Ready to take advantage of our Health & Safety services? Get in touch with a member of our team today! Our Health & Safety consultants are ready for your questions, whenever you need answers thanks to our 24/7 Health & Safety advice line.