The work of a health and safety coordinator is just as essential in the construction industry as that of heavy machinery operators. However, there are safety and health coordinator service providers who simply assign someone to projects for compliance with regulations. Unfortunately, both the service provider and the client often fail to pay sufficient attention to appointing not just a “figurehead” for regulatory compliance but a truly competent expert who will carry out their real responsibilities.
The work of a health and safety coordinator is diverse, ranging from checking the availability and condition of protective equipment to conducting safety inspections of machinery used in construction and optimizing and planning tasks for optimal safety.
1. Lack of an expert health and safety coordinator
BIt may be surprising that the absence of a health and safety coordinator tops the list, considering that it is legally required to have such an expert and most experienced construction coordination service providers can provide the appropriate colleague. However, unfortunately, both the service provider and the client often fail to give due attention to appointing not just a “figurehead” for regulatory compliance but a truly competent expert who will carry out their real responsibilities.
The work of a health and safety coordinator involves various tasks, including checking the availability and condition of protective equipment, conducting safety inspections of machinery used in construction, and optimizing and planning tasks for optimal safety.
2. Failure to plan safe work processes
A health and safety coordinator must be involved at the planning stage, as they play a crucial role in scheduling work processes and allocating tasks.
When scheduling the project, it is essential for the coordinator to examine the tasks from a safety perspective and ensure the temporal and spatial separation of activities that pose risks to each other. For example, if heavy iron columns are being transported between points on the first floor using a crane, no one should be painting floorboards beneath them. This is an exaggerated example, but it illustrates how dangerous a poorly coordinated work schedule can be for employees.
3. Neglecting hazards arising from environmental conditions
It may sound trivial, but one of the most important tasks of a health and safety coordinator during construction is to monitor weather forecasts. If there is a heatwave lasting several days during the construction period, and the client fails to provide protective drinks or designated rest periods in a timely manner, employees may experience discomfort, heat-related illnesses, and even heatstroke. Heat exhaustion not only harms health but can also result in several days of work absence for the affected employees..
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the health and safety coordinator to alert project managers in a timely manner regarding the necessary precautions for specific weather conditions.
4. Lack of or improper use of personal protective equipment
Since construction work is still considered one of the most hazardous occupations, the use of personal protective equipment at each workstation is legally regulated. This includes basic equipment such as safety goggles or gloves, ear protection for noisy activities, as well as specialized equipment designed for more extreme conditions, such as harnesses or fall arrest systems for work conducted at greater heights.
One of the tasks of the health and safety coordinator is to ensure that these PPE items are used properly and safely, and that employees are not lacking any necessary equipment.
5. Lack of employee verification
Due to the high-risk factors involved in the construction industry, it is not a matter of trust or familiarity when it comes to determining who can operate machinery or oversee the work of 10, 20, or even 30 employees simultaneously. Qualifications, diplomas, certificates, training courses, and licenses in this context do not just represent a pile of paperwork, but provide guarantees for safe work practices..
The health and safety coordinator verifies all employees working on the project to ensure they possess the appropriate qualifications, especially those who handle hazardous substances and operate machinery.
Avoid the aforementioned mistakes with our health and safety coordinator and create a safe working environment with the help of our expert. Contact our team using the form below!
