The construction industry has long been one of the most dangerous sectors in the UK, and recent findings from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) paint a grim picture of ongoing failings. Nearly one person dies every week on UK construction sites, while 470,000 people have suffered non-fatal injuries in the last three years. These statistics are unacceptable in any modern workplace, and Hokman Wong, Associate Solicitor in the Adult Brain Injury Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, identifies what’s going wrong and suggests how improvements can be made.
For an industry driven by physical labour, tight deadlines, and complex logistics, the importance of robust health and safety measures cannot be overstated. Yet, these figures suggest that safety procedures are not being followed or enforced to the degree required to protect workers. It’s time to ask why these failings persist, what can be done to prevent accidents, and whether the industry needs more stringent monitoring and regulation.
Why are safety procedures failing?
In my experience of representing those who have suffered complex injuries on construction sites, common culprits for safety procedures failing include:
1. A culture of complacency
In many cases, safety measures are undermined by a culture that prioritises speed and cost over compliance. Workers often face pressure to meet deadlines at the expense of following proper protocols, while companies may view safety as a box-ticking exercise rather than a critical operational pillar. This complacency fosters an environment where shortcuts are taken, hazards are overlooked, and workers are left vulnerable.
2. Insufficient training and communication
Many construction sites fail to adequately train workers on the specific risks they face and how to mitigate them. Induction sessions may be rushed or poorly attended, and language barriers in diverse workforces can hinder effective communication. Without clear, ongoing instruction, workers may unknowingly put themselves in harm’s way.
3. Poor Site Supervision
Safety oversight often falls short due to inadequate supervision. When site managers are stretched too thin, they may miss hazards or fail to enforce rules consistently. This lack of accountability can lead to unsafe practices becoming the norm.
4. Outdated equipment and PPE
In some instances, injuries and fatalities occur because equipment is not maintained, or personal protective equipment (PPE) is inadequate. Budget constraints or a lack of awareness can result in workers relying on substandard tools, putting them at greater risk of harm.
5. Lack of buy-in from senior leadership
For safety procedures to be effective, senior decision-makers must actively champion them. When leaders fail to prioritise health and safety, it sets a tone that cascades through the organisation, diminishing the importance of compliance at all levels.
What can be done to prevent accidents?
1. Foster a proactive safety culture
A proactive approach to safety must start from the top. Senior leaders should emphasise that safety is a non-negotiable priority, embedding it into every aspect of the business. Regular safety meetings, site audits, and recognition of good practices can help reinforce this message.
2. Invest in Comprehensive Training
Training should be regular, role-specific, and accessible to all workers, regardless of language or literacy levels. Visual aids, demonstrations, and interactive sessions can ensure workers fully understand risks and how to manage them. Refresher courses should be mandatory, especially when new equipment or procedures are introduced.
3. Improve site supervision
Employing sufficient site supervisors with the authority and time to enforce safety rules is critical. These individuals should conduct regular inspections, provide real-time feedback, and ensure workers have the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe.
4. Prioritise equipment maintenance and modernisation
Construction companies must allocate adequate resources to maintain equipment and provide high-quality PPE. Regular checks and immediate repairs should be standard practice, with a commitment to replacing outdated tools and gear.
5. Encourage Reporting and Feedback
Workers should feel able to report hazards or unsafe practices without fear of retaliation. Anonymous reporting systems, coupled with a clear process for addressing concerns, can help identify and rectify issues before they lead to accidents.
Is more stringent monitoring and regulation the answer?
While the construction industry is already highly regulated, these recent findings suggest that enforcement may not be stringent enough. The HSE has limited resources to monitor every site, meaning companies often face little to no oversight unless an incident occurs.
Increased inspections
More frequent and unannounced site inspections could deter companies from cutting corners. When the threat of immediate consequences is real, businesses are more likely to comply with regulations.
Higher Penalties
Current penalties for health and safety breaches may not be enough to drive meaningful change. Substantial fines, director disqualifications, and even criminal charges for negligence could serve as stronger deterrents.
Mandatory reporting
Introducing mandatory near-miss reporting could help identify systemic issues before accidents occur. By analysing patterns in near-miss incidents, regulators and companies can take preventative action.
Technology-driven solutions
The adoption of digital tools like wearable sensors, real-time monitoring systems, and AI-driven risk assessments could revolutionise safety in construction. However, widespread implementation requires industry-wide investment and collaboration.
Conclusion
The tragic reality that one construction worker dies nearly every week in the UK is a stark reminder of the industry’s health and safety failings. These deaths and injuries are not inevitable; they are the result of preventable issues stemming from cultural, operational, and systemic weaknesses.
Change is not only possible but essential. By fostering a culture of safety, investing in training and equipment, improving oversight, and embracing stricter enforcement and innovative technologies, the construction industry can dramatically reduce the risk of harm.
For senior decision-makers, the time to act is now. The cost of inaction is not just financial but human—measured in lives lost and families forever changed. The industry owes it to its workers to make their safety the top priority, every single day.
Hokman Wong, Associate Solicitor in the Adult Brain Injury Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp.