The Importance of Health and Safety Training in Construction
Did you know that the construction industry was second only to agriculture for fatal accidents suffered at work in Ireland in 2024? This is a sobering fact and clearly demonstrates why health and safety training is so important in the construction industry. Much of the work undertaken by workers in the construction industry is high risk, and this makes specialist safety training non-negotiable.
In Ireland, the HSA monitors Health and Safety across all industries to drive up health and safety standards and maintain accountability. Here, we will take a look at the importance of health and safety training and the role of training in mitigating the high levels of risk in the construction industry. At ASM Group, we are committed to delivering top quality training that protects you and your employees from harm and from the potential of legal action that could damage your business and your reputation.
High Risk in the Construction Industry
The construction industry inherently has a higher level of risk than many other industries due to the nature of the work involved. There are many different types of risk, including operating heavy machinery, working at height and working in confined spaces, for example, and roles that involve these additional risks require extra training to protect employees and members of the public.
Specialist training is designed to reduce the risk when working in high risk environments, and we can see the necessity of this when we consider that in the United States, for instance, falls account for 34% of fatalities in the construction industry. Working at height training focuses on raising awareness of the risks of this type of work and reducing the likelihood of accidents by developing greater levels of expertise and knowledge.
Working with chemicals and hazardous materials can also increase the risk to employees in the construction industry, and inadequate training in recognising and mitigating risks in roles where this is unavoidable can significantly increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. Ensuring that your employees receive high quality training in all areas of health and safety that relate to their work can save lives, and it can also protect your business from the financial and reputational costs of accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Essential Health and Safety Training
High quality training in health and safety ensures compliance with the regulations that govern your industry, which can protect you from legal action following accidents and injuries at work. There are hefty penalties for non compliance with legal regulations and there is also the potential for significant damage to your reputation as a business so you are protecting your organisation at the same time as your personnel by investing in the appropriate training for your unique business profile.
Undertaking high quality training in their areas of specialism is empowering for your employees, enabling them to identify risks and carry out their tasks more efficiently. A European study found that reducing safety risks by 50% caused a 12% increase in productivity, and this also represents a significant saving on labour costs when you equip your employees to handle safety risks more effectively.
Effective Health and Safety Training in your Organisation
Finding the right health and safety training for your organisation is about matching up the specialist requirements of your business with the standard industry training and the specific needs of your employees. Your training provider will be able to help you to narrow down your needs and you can talk with our experienced staff at ASM Group to find the best options for you and your team.
Effective health and safety training will include:
- Risk identification
- Emergency procedures
- Heavy machinery and equipment handling
- Essential first aid
Training doesn’t need to be dull or formulaic, and top quality trainers will always ensure that their courses are engaging and comprehensive, giving your employees the skills they need in an accessible way. Training is an ongoing process, updating as the technology and environments at work change, and your business must evolve to meet new regulations as they are introduced.
If you are concerned about the cost of training, you can reframe this to see it as an investment in your business. Research suggests that the more you invest in health and safety training, the more cost effective your organisation becomes. Equipping your employees to better identify and mitigate risk leads to a safer environment and fewer injuries in the workplace, and this will directly benefit your team and your organisation as a whole.
Staying Safe at Work
Maintaining a safe environment at work means taking an active role in creating the protocols and safeguards you need in your workplace. Health and Safety Training is a big consideration to keep your staff safe and your premises hazard free, and we can help you to work out which courses you need and how to source excellent training.
Your Health and Safety Consultants in Ireland
At ASM Group, we can provide the support and personnel you need to protect your business. We aim to drive up health and safety standards across Ireland, and we will always be happy to explore the best ways to work with you and your unique business. Our team of expert Health and Safety Consultants in Ireland can provide the services that your business needs to ensure that you are compliant with all legal requirements and that your staff and premises are protected.
Talk to a member of our professional team on 01 234 3724 to find out more about working with us and ensure that your business is operating with the highest standards of health and safety. Give us a call or make an online enquiry today to see how we can help you.
