Construction sites are busy and hazardous places, often with a lot of people performing a number of different tasks at once/ This means that regular inspections are needed to make sure that the work in on plan, safe and to the required standards in order to avoid incidents or issues with the build further down the line.
What is a Health & Safety Construction Site Inspection?
Health and Safety Construction Site Inspections are regular checks of the site being worked on to ensure the site complies with the relevant health and safety regulations such as the Construction Design Management Regulations 2015 and other associated Health and Safety Regulations which are applicable to the type of work being carried out.
The inspections are designed to check that all relevant regulations are being adhered and that relevant construction documentation is in place and the work activities are being suitably controlled in line with applicable Risk Assessments, Method Statements (RAMS), Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), Guidance, Best Industry Practices etc, thus maintaining a safe work environment and providing valuable feedback to the Principal Contractor / Management Team and the Client.
In summary the inspections should cover:
- Documentation
- Work Activities
- Plant, Machinery & Equipment
- Work Areas
- Welfare Facilities
- Premises
- Etc
Why Are Health & Safety Construction Site Inspections Important?
Health & Safety Construction Site Inspections are important for several different reasons including:
- Ensuring compliance with relevant Health & Safety Regulations – thus helping to mitigate prosecutions, fines, civils actions etc
- Ensuring that potential hazards and risks are identified and either avoided or reduced to an acceptable level
- Ensure that the Construction Phase Plans, RAMS etc are in place and remain in order
- Reducing Accidents & Dangerous Occurrences – thus reducing HSE (etc) interventions
- Providing guidance and valuable feedback to the Principal Contractor / Management Team which they can then act upon
- Setting and keeping team expectations clear throughout the project
- Maintaining the reputation of the Principal Contractor, Company and Client
- May reduce insurance premiums etc
- They also often form part of the Contractual Agreement between parties
These inspections are also very important from a safety perspective. With heavy equipment, power tools, trenches, and the need to work at heights, a construction site can be an extremely dangerous place to work if it is not managed properly.
For instance, according to HSE 2023/24 data, 52% of fatal injuries occurred due to Falls from Height.
By inspecting construction site safety on a regular basis, any hazards can be quickly identified and addressed before they lead to accidents or dangerous occurrences taking place.
Another increasingly prevalent factor is the need to work in a way that is more considerate to the environment, as such construction site inspections can help to check that the processors and procedures used facilitate this. This helps to boost the green credentials of the business and helps to ensures that any applicable environmental regulations are being met.
What to expect during a Construction Site Inspection
A Health & Safety Construction Site Inspections should involve a review of the health and safety construction documentation before embarking on a walk-through inspection with the Principal Contractor / Management or Contractor.
A Health & Safety Construction Site Inspection is recommended to be carried out at the early stages of setting up the site to ensure that at this stage appropriate documentation, procedures and facilities have been established.
Thereafter, further inspections are recommended to take place either at key stages of the project or routinely to make sure that the Construction Phase Plans etc are being developed in line with the progression of the project, and that such plans and work activities are being controlled.
Note: Frequency of routine inspections should be based on the risks identified / involved with the planned work activities, this with higher risks activities being inspected more frequently.
Different types of construction site inspection
Construction site inspections should take different forms depending on their purpose and the stage of the project.
Daily site inspections
There should be daily site inspections which are carried out by the Project Manager or the Site Manager to make sure that what was completed the previous day is satisfactory and to make sure that the work for the current day is on schedule and planned in terms of there being the correct documentation (RAMS) and resources in place. This type of inspection should also focus on work activities taking place to ensure that agreed safe systems of work (RAMS, Work Permits, Isolation Procedures etc) are being adhered to.
Health and Safety Inspections
These often being carried out by a third-party Health & Safety Consultant such as Watson and Watson Health & Safety Consultants Ltd, the details and scope of which being covered above in the main body of text.
Building Compliance Inspections
It is important that there are also inspections / checks to ensure that the planned work is firstly approved by the controlling bodies such as:
- the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
- Local Authorities
- Registered Building Control Approvers
Thereafter, the work must be inspected by registered Building Inspectors to ensure that the work is being caried out in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, these inspections taking place at predetermined phases of construction.
Quality Control Inspections
As a business, you will also need to ensure that the projects you deliver are completed to the highest standards, such standards being in line with the approved submitted construction plans (ref Building Compliance Inspections above).
These inspections will ensure that materials used, and the final product meets all declared/approved standards and that workers are following all necessary construction installation plans, requirements and applicable regulations.
Further to this as applicable to ISO 9000 registered companies, ISO inspections and quality checks may also be applicable.
Fire Safety Inspections
Prior to the build, there should be building plans approved which cover the planned building safety features and systems, such plans being approved by –
- the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
- Local Authorities
Thereafter a registered Building Inspector (or Local Authority Inspector) will be required to inspect and verify compliance to the approved plans, this at each phase of the build. In addition to this the local Fire Service’s Fire Prevention Officer may also inspect the premises once the construction phase of the project has been completed.
During the build however, there is also a requirement to inspect and ensure that fire prevention measures are in place, the main regulations covering this are:
- Construction Design Management Regulations 2015
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
These regulations require that:
- A suitable Fire Risk Assessment is in place – this during the construction phase of the project and being updated as the project progresses
- That suitable Emergency Evacuation Arrangements are in place – documented and trained out
- Regular inspections / checks are carried out on the fire systems, these being recorded and carried out:
- Weekly
- Monthly
- 6-monthly
- Annually
Environmental Inspections
Environmental inspections are now also necessary to make sure that the project complies with all local and national regulations, this may require pre-construction (pre-works) Environmental Surveys to be carried and acted upon accordingly.
These may mean taking wildlife habitat into consideration, mitigating against spills or erosion, ensuring that the right materials and processes are in place and checking that waste is being properly disposed of. This will need to be conducted by a qualified member of your staff or inspectors from the relevant Environmental Agencies.
How to conduct a construction site inspection
Before visiting the site, a site inspection should begin with a consultation with the Management Team to confirm how the inspection will take place and to make any suitable arrangements that are necessary to facilitate a safe and effective inspection of the site.
After the inspection, the Inspection Report should then highlight any weaknesses, hazards or areas of improvement as well as any strengths that have been identified. The issues that have been identified are then best ranked in order of importance or severity to prioritise any action that needs to be taken by the Management Team, this will help the Management Team implement a review system and to track improvements.
Following this on delivery of the Inspection Report, a closing meeting should be held to discuss the findings, and thereafter the Management Team should take steps to address the issues that have been highlighted.
Looking for support with your Construction Site Inspections?
Construction site inspections are very important for everyone as they not only ensure construction safety, but they also ensure that the build remains compliant throughout and that the customer needs are met.
At Watson and Watson Health and Safety Consultants, we understand how important it is to get a comprehensive site inspection, which is a great way to keep a project on track, and can save a lot of stress, money and time. Our site inspection service carries out a range of comprehensive evaluations designed to ensure your site or workplace stays compliant.
For more information and assistance, call us on 01623 753 654 for a no pressure discussion on your requirements.
