Construction injury figures not to blame for skills shortage

Construction injury figures not to blame for skills shortage



The chance of suffering a work-related illness in the construction industry does not play a key part towards the skills shortage within the sector, according to property professionals.


The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently revealed that 69,000 workers in construction suffered from such illnesses in the past year. Around 65,000 construction workers sustain an injury at work on an annual basis.

Around two in three of these illnesses were due to musculoskeletal disorders, while about one in five were down to stress, depression or anxiety.

Despite this, Development Finance Today has been told that the threat of injury or illness is not causing people to be less attracted to the construction industry.

“With all due respect, the majority of construction workers are not interested in stats and statistics,” said Matt Durant of BAM Construction Training.

“Money is the key motivator in this industry and the jobs that involve more risks incur higher pay.

“For example, operating large machinery such as cranes, excavators and telehandlers will pay a much higher hourly rate than a labourer.”

Ashley Ilsen, head of lending at Regentsmead, agreed adding: “I don't think changing these levels will necessarily attract more people to the construction industry, I think this is more down to other elements such as pay, working hours and conditions and career development.”

Kevin Fear, health and safety strategy lead at Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), felt that people considered all sorts of factors when choosing a career.

“… We are working hard as an industry to minimise the health and safety risks for all workers, which will also help encourage new people to join the industry and retain the current construction workforce.”

The HSE is currently looking to improve standards within the industry through the ‘Help Great Britain Work Well’ strategy.

“Although there have been big improvements over recent years in reducing the number and rate of injuries to construction workers, workers continue to be affected by serious ill health issues,” a spokesperson for HSE told Development Finance Today.

“These issues can be devastating for individuals and families. #helpGBworkwell involves a greater focus on tackling ill health issues at work and promoting broader ownership of health and safety.”  

The HSE revealed that the Health in Construction Leadership Group and the Construction Dust Partnership are two examples of how the industry is looking to improve safety standards.

“The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 place a duty on all those involved in a construction project, including clients and designers, to ensure that the construction work is carried out without risks to health or safety.

“During visits to construction sites, HSE inspectors will be holding to account those duty holders who fail to control risks to health or safety.”

Meanwhile, Kevin added that health and safety was of critical importance to CITB and it was working hard with the industry to make construction as safe as possible.

“We are also developing new methods to implement health and safety awareness in our training.

“CITB apprentices are currently trialling new wearable ‘skins’ technology, which gives the learner a simulated experience of how construction-related diseases [such as] dermatitis and tinnitus feel.

“The aim of the trial is to shape the attitudes and behaviours of construction workers to ensure protective equipment is always used.”

Pointing out how Regentsmead were helping to improve health and safety standards, Ashley added: “…We make a point of visiting all of our clients on site as part of the service we offer, and help our clients achieve the set standards.”

Matt concluded: “The industry tries to reduce the number of incidents through various means, each with varying degrees of effectiveness.

“Safe systems of work and having risk assessments and method statements in place contribute to this.

“However, the most effective way to reduce incidents is [by] educating the workforce to identify the hazards using their own initiative.”



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