Construction Practice and Management: Health and Safety Regulations and Their Impact on the Construction Industry

This report discusses the importance of health and safety in the construction industry and how it has become an integral part of the construction process. It covers government laws benchmarking health and safety, the role of collaboration and communication, and the benefits and drawbacks of these regulations. The report also evaluates the impact of health and safety regulations on the construction industry.

Construction practice
and management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Explanation of how health and safety has become integral part of construction project............3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Description of government laws which have benchmarked health and safety within the
construction.................................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
Discussion of role of collaboration and communication for making sure the safe practices of
working.......................................................................................................................................3
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................3
Demonstration of how the construction industry has benefited by changes in health and
safety legislations........................................................................................................................3
TASK 5 ...........................................................................................................................................4
Evaluation of the effect of legislations of health and safety and how it has evolved drivers of it
with the advantages and disadvantages in the construction.......................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Construction management refers to the professional service which uses the specialist
techniques of project management for overseeing the design, planning and project construction
from its initiation to its end (Blaisi, 2019). The main motive of the project construction is for
controlling the projects delivery, time, quality and cost known as the triangle of project
management or the triple constraints. It is compatible with the all systems of project delivery
consisting of design build, design bid build, CM at risk and Public private partnerships. This
report will explain about how health and safety is becoming a integrated part of the construction
process and along with it the government legislations which have benchmarked the health and
safety in the construction is also mentioned. In addition, the discussion of the collaboration and
communication role for ensuring the practices of safe working is stated. Further the
demonstration of the construction industry has benefited the changes in health safety laws. In end
the evaluation of the impact of the health and safety legislations and drivers evolving it and along
with it the pros and cons in construction industry is done.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
Explanation of how health and safety has become integral part of construction project
Health and safety is very essential in the construction industry as it is evident that every
job or work has some sort of risk but construction industry is highly prone to it. It is the most
hazardous places for working but majority of the risks may be avoided by effective health and
safety planning measures(Choe, Seo and Kang, 2020). Process of health and safety plays the
significant role in the site of construction. These safety measure have become the integral part
of the project as in the ever changing environments, the construction sites need the employees to
work in the heights, handle the heavy loads, operate the huge machinery and work with the
rough materials. But by having proper health and safety measures the risks associated with the
conditions of the work may be decreased drastically. Manby statistics have found that
construction industry is accountable for the 3rd of serious injuries which happen at the place of
work and 10% of other major injuries related to the work(Tayeh and Issa, 2020). Fatalities and
injuries which occur as the outcome of falling of workers from heights, struck by the moving

things, crushed by the machinery and vehicles or in the excavation. Workers of construction are
susceptible for work related illness, consisting of vibration white finger, deafness, carpal tunnel
syndrome and dermatitis. All these risks may be reduced significantly by making sure of proper
health and safety measures are followed on the construction site. Studies have found that failures
of control and planning were related to accidents. Effective planning of health and safety is
important if the projects were to be delivered on time, no extra costs and no accidents or
environment damaging and workers health. For the Uks construction projects initial planning
must consider the requirements of maintaining and structure cleaning. By the implementation of
these measures workers will be more happy. It will boost their morale on the site and result in
enhanced productivity(Jiang, Ding and Zhou, 2020).
TASK 2
Description of government laws which have benchmarked health and safety within the
construction
Construction industry is well known for the poor health and safety records. For the
benchmarking of health and safety measures in construction industry the industry has to follow
many legislations related to the workforce safety(Kineber and et, al., 2021). Health and safety
regulations are applicable in every industry but in construction industry the application of these
laws ensure the safety and wellbeing of the workers and timely completion of the project. Health
and safety is the vital consideration for the construction projects. It is not only crucial for safety
of the workforce but for complying with the laws also. All the health and safety regulations are
enforced to the construction work by HSE who is the enforcing authority on the sites of
construction. Manual handling regulations can be applied to any workplace but some laws such
as CDM regulations are specifically applicable to construction. Management of health and
safety at work regulations is what makes the producing of the risk assessment the legal
requirement. All these laws is for ensuring the safe environment to the workers with utmost
diligence. Here are some of them-
The principal legislation impacting the construction industry as the whole is The Health
and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 (HSWA)S which came in existence and places the duty on all
the employers for ensuring health, safety and welfare at the site of all workers.

General Legislation
HSWA is the parliament Act and is known as the primary legislation, This Act gives the
proper power ministering for enacting the secondary legislations which is made up of the
Statutory Instruments called Regulations. HSWA has also establish the Health and Safety
Executive. Act and the regulations are enforced by the HSE and local authorities. In 1990s the
introduction of another set of secondary legislations for harmonizing the health and safety
measures known as the six pack including-
 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1990
 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
 Health and Safety Regulations1992(Le and Nguyen, 2021) .
 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
 Personal Protective Equipments at Work Regulations 1992
 Workplace Regulations 1992
Specific Legislation
Construction industry due to its special natures has specific legislation for protection of
head. There are 3 Sis which are relevant to the industry.
Building Act 1984 and associated regulations- It states that securing the health, safety,
welfare and individuals convenience are impacted by the matter related to buildings. It is
supported by Sis series which sets the special needs for construction and building change.
Further they are segmented in dwellings and non-dwellings and are supported by approved
documents giving guidance of the need of the regulations which may be satisfied.
CDM Regulations- Introduced in 1994 the Con Dam regulations have the roots in
directive of EU which states that individuals accountable for the coordination on the construction
site must make sure that employers and self-employed individuals apply generals principles in
context of situations and plan of health and safety is taken in account when required (Love,
Smith and Teo, 2018).
TASK 3
Discussion of role of collaboration and communication for making sure the safe practices of
working
Role of communication and collaboration is very important for ensuring the safe practices
of work on the site of construction. There is no success in the place of work can be achieved

without any effective communication and collaboration. In place of work at the sites where there
is dynamic work environment, so effective collaboration promotes the efficient culture of safety.
For building the effective culture of safety there is requirement of effective communication
and collaboration. Here are some factors which help in building collaboration and
communication at the sites-
Goal setting- By setting of the goal employers are more focused on improving safety of
workers, consumers and visitors. When the employees are committed for safety goals the efforts
of team towards the decrease in accidents and prevent contact with hazardous materials(Rosli,
Muhammad Tamyez and Zahari, 2020).
Giving avenues for critical reviews- In the operations the condition happens that some
of the workers avoid the safety procedures while performing of the task. Employers require to
give the platform to employees for cautioning the co workers involving in risky behaviours of
work place(Sheng and et, al., 2020). Some pros of collaboration and effective communication
for safety of work place, here are some points-
 Improves the team work in the operations- Day to day construction operations
function in a smooth way when each member of team knows what are their
responsibilities and duties. By building effective communication and collaboration
between the employees enhances the results and limits the chances of mishap.
 Boosts the potential of managing the time- If extra time is spent on activities it
improves the probability of happening of the accident(Wang, 2021). Effective
communication and collaboration between the employees gets the activities
accomplished on time and reduces the chances of accidents at the place of work.
TASK 4
Demonstration of how the construction industry has benefited by changes in health and safety
legislations
Construction industry has been greatly benefited by the changes in health and safety laws
as it has resulted in decrease in the accidents, less injuries, cutting of extra cost and timely
delivery of the project. Management of health and safety is the essential functions of the
management of construction. The work of construction is very dangerous. Construction
regulations introduced in 1994 were very much needed as they were concerned with the

management of H&S in the entire process of construction. Accountability is specifically and
clearly placed on the clients, contractors and designers fro being proactive in planning,
management of H&S and coordination. Regulations mainly focus on the identification of the
potential hazards to health and dangers to safety in every stage of process of construction, with
the risk assessment( Yap and Toh, 201). CDM regulations need the 2 stage approach for H&S
management and planning. The first step focuses on the evaluation of project and its
development with the objective of making a H&S plan. Second stage focuses on construction
site process for the goal of the construction of the plan of H&S. Legislations of the
construction solves the different issues and concerns which are related to the projects. Issues
like defects in construction, design defects, defects of structure, contract breach, claims of
construction delay, hold of payments , additional work payments, disputes of bid, defective bids,
issues of regulatory, termination concerns and many more. Legislations have helped in protecting
the parties which are involved consisting of residential and commercial projects. These
disputes of construction are very challenging some time but the legislations provides the help
to the concerned parties for solving the issues. Management of the construction industry must be
fully aware about the legislations involved so it enables them for saving the money which is
wasted unnecessarily.
TASK 5
Evaluation of the effect of legislations of health and safety and how it has evolved drivers of it
with the advantages and disadvantages in the construction
Impact of legislation of health and safety- Accidents at the place of work are the main
concern for the construction business. But there are vital improvements in the industry because
of adaptions and changes of health and safety regulations. In the year 2016/2017 the self-
reported and employer reported no serious injuries were half since the year 2000/2001. More
serious injuries have also decreased in number in various sectors. It also gives the boost to other
aspects of business. (Zhong and et, al. 2018). Here are some points-
 Decrease in absenteeism and sick leaves- If all the rules and regulations are followed on
the site of construction, then the workers there will be less injured or get prone to
accidents, this will lead to reduce in taking sick leaves and absenteeism.

 Higher rate of retention of the staff- If management gives the workers a safe and
healthy environment then they will not leave the firm and result in high rate of retention.
 Improved image in the market- The firm which follows all the rules and regulations has
positive image in the market and more consumers are attracted towards the firm.
 Enhancement in productivity- If workers are safe and sound then their productivity
enhances as they are healthy and more focused on work.
 Insurance savings- If health and safety of all the workers is ensured on the site of
construction then there will be less accidents, which will save the company’s insurance
cost which they had to bear if some worker gets injured.
Here are the pros and cons of Health and Safety in the industry-
Pros
 Cost decrease- Following all regulations helps in timely completion of the project leading
to the cost decrease.
 Risk reduction- Risk is decreased as the safety of workers is ensured in the regulations
at utmost priority.
 Less accidents- Less accidents happen if all rules and regulations are followed.
 Less threat of legal threats- Firm following safety laws has chance of legal threats in
comparison to the firms who don’t follow laws.
 Enhanced stand in partners and suppliers- As the firm following all\ the rules have better
image in business partners and suppliers for taking the stand for worker’s safety.
Cons
 Many working days are lost because of injury and illness related to work- If workers get
injured due to accidents on construction sites then they will not be able to come to work
for many days leading to less working days.
 Many people die from the diseases caused due to accidents- Not following the regulations
lead to accidents which may also result in death of the workers,
 Every day many workers are injured- Every day on the construction site the workers gets
injured if the management do not follow the rules.
 It is very costly for keeping the health advisor- For the implementation of the regulations
the firm will have to appoint the health advisor which will put extra burden on the firm.

 It needs time for implementation of health and safety measures- For implementing all
regulations, time is needed which sometimes delay the project causing loss to the firm.
(Araújo, Carneiro and Palha, 2020).
CONCLUSION
The above report concludes that construction management is very crucial for effectively
managing the project. The need of health and safety is very much relevant at construction sites
as it is the most hazardous industry. These measure help the management of the construction
site to reduce the accidents and injuries. The process of H& S is the important part of process of
construction and with it the legislations of the government which govern the process of H& S in
construction is also stated. Further the discussion on the effective communication and
collaboration for making sure the safe working practices is also done. In addition the
demonstration of benefits which the construction industry has got after the changes in the
legislations of H& S is mentioned briefly with evaluating the effect of H& S laws and their
pros and cons in the industry.

REFERENCES
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