There are many important construction worker responsibilities, not least to ensure the safety of themselves, their colleagues and any visitors on site. Construction workers operate under the employ of a contractor on a construction site, building, repairing, upgrading or demolishing structures as required. Contractors can be individuals and organisations, such as property owners, businesses, local councils etc. They can also include sub-contractors, sole traders and self-employed workers.
Both contractors and construction workers can be at greater risk of ill health and injury while at work and so must be aware of contractor and construction worker responsibilities towards keeping the site as safe and well-run as possible. Conversely, they will also be in the best position to recognise poor practice and spot risks and hazards quicker, due to being familiar with how a construction site should and should not operate. Being able to formulate a safe working plan and call attention to risks and hazards to the health and wellbeing of themselves and other people is therefore one of the most important construction worker responsibilities there is.
When and how do contractor and construction worker responsibilities start and end?
Contractor and construction worker responsibilities around safety begin the moment they step onto the site. Arguably, they start before this even, as they must learn best practices and safe working skills, follow relevant training, such as manual handling and prepare safe working plans in advance. Responsibilities around safety then continue until they finish work for the day and leave the site.
Training can take many forms, but it is essential that it is conducted in a way that allows construction workers to obtain the required skills, knowledge, training and experience to carry out the work that they have been contracted to do. If any skills, knowledge, training or education is lacking, it is the responsibility of their employer or contractor to ensure any gaps are filled as quickly as possible.
Following nationally recognised qualifications, such as NVQs or SVQs can help with this, as the standards that must be reached are high enough to provide employers with the necessary evidence of their knowledge and competence. Previous employment references, CDP documentation and membership of professional bodies can also provide reassuring evidence of someone having the right skillset to work safely and adherer to construction worker responsibilities around health, safety and wellbeing at work.
Contractor and construction worker responsibilities around kit and equipment
The same goes for ensuring everyone on site has have the required kit, personal protective equipment and tools to get the job done safely and accurately. Both contractors and construction workers must understand how to use, store and maintain everything they need – and seek clarification immediately if they are unsure about anything. This must all be carefully budgeted for and monitored to ensure that anything old, broken or unfit for purpose is spotted, removed from use and repaired or disposed of properly. A raft of regulations exist around the use of vehicles on a construction site. From how to drive them safely, load and unload and carry passengers to maintaining, fuelling and storing them when not in use, there is plenty that you can do to maximise safety around moving and stationary vehicles on site.
Managing how people move around the site is equally important, especially when working from height. Using scaffolding, ladders and stepladders all require a good knowledge of safety and falls prevention methods and guidance. There are good training programmes available, plus it can be invaluable for more experienced construction workers to pass on their knowledge to those in more junior positions, coming up the ranks behind them.
