Guidance published by the HSE that provides practical advice on how to comply with regulations. ACoPs have a special legal status - if you follow the advice in an ACoP, you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Examples include the ACoP for Managing Health and Safety in Construction (CDM 2015) and the ACoP for Control of Asbestos.

The principle that risks should be reduced to the lowest level reasonably practicable. This involves weighing the risk against the time, trouble, cost, and physical difficulty of taking measures to reduce it. If the cost of risk reduction is grossly disproportionate to the benefit, further reduction may not be required. This is a fundamental concept in UK health and safety law.

A person appointed by the employer to plan lifting operations that involve a crane. The Appointed Person assesses hazards, determines crane type and capacity, plans the lift sequence, ensures the lift plan is implemented, and may supervise the operation. They must have practical and theoretical knowledge of lifting operations and planning.

A naturally occurring mineral fibre that was widely used in construction until banned in the UK in 1999. Asbestos fibres cause serious lung diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Any building constructed before 2000 may contain asbestos. It must be identified and managed under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Only licensed contractors can remove high-risk asbestos.

A predetermined safe location where workers gather after evacuating a building or site. Assembly points should be far enough from buildings to be safe from fire, collapse, or explosion. They must be clearly signed and known to all workers. Muster checks confirm all personnel are accounted for. Points should not obstruct emergency service access.

A hearing test used in health surveillance programmes to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss. Tests measure hearing sensitivity at different frequencies. Results are compared to expected levels for age and previous tests. Audiometric testing should be offered to workers regularly exposed to noise above the upper exposure action value (85dB).

A person who directs vehicle and plant movements on site, particularly for reversing. Banksmen use hand signals or radio communication to guide operators who have restricted visibility. They must position themselves where they can be seen and see the hazards. Banksmen training is essential - vehicles and plant are leading causes of site fatalities.

The main set of regulations for managing the health, safety, and welfare of construction projects in the UK. CDM 2015 places duties on clients, designers, principal designers, principal contractors, contractors, and workers. It requires projects to be managed to ensure health and safety risks are sensibly managed through the lifecycle from concept to demolition.

One of the largest health and safety pre-qualification schemes in the UK. CHAS assesses contractors' health and safety management systems against government-backed standards. Accreditation demonstrates to clients that a contractor has reached a satisfactory level of health and safety competence. Available at various levels including Premium Plus.

The UK industry-recognized card scheme for scaffolders. CISRS provides progressive training and competence cards from Labourer through Trainee Scaffolder, Scaffolder, Advanced Scaffolder, to Scaffold Inspector. Cards demonstrate that holders have completed recognized training and assessment. Principal contractors typically require CISRS cards for scaffolding work.

Under CDM 2015, any person or organization for whom construction work is carried out. Clients must make suitable arrangements for managing projects, ensure designers and contractors have the necessary skills and resources, allow adequate time, provide pre-construction information, appoint principal designer and contractor (for multi-contractor projects), and ensure welfare facilities are provided.

A person with sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualities to properly assist in undertaking specific health and safety measures. Competence requirements vary by task. For example, a competent person for scaffold inspection needs different qualifications than one for electrical work. Employers must ensure competent persons are appointed for relevant duties.

An enclosed or partially enclosed space with limited access that is not designed for continuous worker occupation and where serious injury could occur from hazardous substances, lack of oxygen, or other specified risks. Examples include tanks, pits, chambers, and manholes. Confined space work requires specific risk assessment and often a permit to work.

A document required under CDM 2015 setting out the health and safety arrangements for the construction phase. Produced by the principal contractor (or contractor on single-contractor projects), it must be in place before construction begins. The plan should cover site rules, arrangements for managing risks, emergency procedures, and welfare.

The UK's leading procurement and supply chain management service. Constructionline validates and verifies companies' capabilities including health and safety, financial standing, and business credentials. Registration at Gold and above includes SSIP health and safety certification. Used by major clients across public and private sectors.

Regulations requiring employers to assess noise risks, take action to reduce exposure where needed, provide hearing protection, and carry out health surveillance. Lower exposure action value is 80dB(A), upper action value is 85dB(A), and exposure limit is 87dB(A). At upper action levels, hearing protection zones must be established.

Regulations requiring employers to assess vibration risks and take action to reduce exposure. For hand-arm vibration, the exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 and the exposure limit is 5 m/s2. For whole-body vibration, values are 0.5 m/s2 and 1.15 m/s2 respectively. Health surveillance is required where there is significant risk of HAVS.

Regulations requiring employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health. This includes chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, gases, and biological agents. COSHH assessments must identify hazardous substances, evaluate risks, implement controls, monitor exposure, and provide health surveillance where necessary.

The leading card scheme for plant operators in the UK construction industry. CPCS cards demonstrate competence to operate specific types of plant including cranes, excavators, telehandlers, and more. Red trained operator cards are provisional; blue competent operator cards show full competence. Many sites require CPCS as minimum evidence of operator competence.

The leading skills certification scheme in the UK construction industry. CSCS cards prove workers have training and qualifications for their occupation. Most major sites require CSCS cards for entry. Card types include Green (labourer), Blue (skilled worker), Gold (supervisor/manager), and Black (senior manager). Cards link to the NVQ framework.

A person who has construction work done on their own home or the home of a family member that is not connected to a business. Under CDM 2015, domestic clients do not have to carry out client duties - these transfer to the contractor (single contractor) or principal contractor (multiple contractors). The duties still apply, but the domestic client does not have to manage them.

Classification of scaffold loading capacity. Light Duty allows inspection and light work (0.75 kN/m2). General Purpose allows general construction work (2.0 kN/m2). Heavy Duty allows masonry, blockwork, and heavy materials (2.7 kN/m2). Special Duty is for exceptional loads and requires bespoke design. The rating must match the intended work activities.

A continuous process of identifying and assessing hazards during work activities. Unlike formal risk assessments completed before work, dynamic assessment responds to changing conditions in real-time. Workers should be trained to spot hazards and adjust their approach. It does not replace formal assessment but supplements it.

Barriers preventing falls from edges including scaffold platforms, excavations, and roof edges. Must consist of a main guardrail (950mm minimum height), intermediate guardrail or equivalent protection, and a toeboard (150mm minimum). Must be strong enough to withstand a 200N force applied in any direction. Essential for work at height compliance.

Authorization required for activities that could pollute the environment. On construction sites, permits may be needed for discharging water, controlling dust and emissions, or managing waste. The Environment Agency regulates permits in England. Failure to obtain required permits can result in prosecution and stop-work notices.

A designated area where access is restricted to prevent exposure to hazards. Exclusion zones may be established around crane operations, excavations, hot work, or demolition activities. They are marked with barriers and signage. Only authorized personnel with appropriate PPE and training may enter. Zone sizes depend on the hazard.

A notification to the HSE required for construction projects lasting more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers working simultaneously, or involving more than 500 person days of construction work. The F10 must be submitted before construction begins and displayed on site. It includes project details, client, designers, and contractors.

A classification for disposable respiratory masks. FFP1 provides minimum 80% filtration (protection factor 4) for low toxicity dust. FFP2 provides minimum 94% filtration (protection factor 10) for moderate toxicity substances. FFP3 provides minimum 99% filtration (protection factor 20) for toxic and carcinogenic substances including silica dust. Valved versions reduce breathing resistance.

A person with designated fire safety responsibilities including assisting evacuation, checking areas are cleared, guiding people to assembly points, and liaising with emergency services. Fire marshals should receive training and know the fire plan, escape routes, and assembly points. One marshal per 50 workers is typically recommended.

A legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must assess fire risks, implement fire precautions, prepare emergency plans, and provide training. Construction sites present changing fire risks requiring regular reassessment. Assessment covers ignition sources, combustible materials, people at risk, and means of escape.

An investigation of soil and ground conditions at a construction site. Surveys identify ground type, water table level, contamination, underground services, and voids. This information is essential for foundation design, excavation planning, and identifying hazards. Ground conditions affect crane stability, excavation support requirements, and drainage.

The primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK. It places general duties on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees and others affected by their work. Section 2 covers duties to employees, Section 3 covers duties to others. Breaches can result in unlimited fines and imprisonment.

An occupational disease affecting the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints of the hand, wrist, and arm. It is caused by regular exposure to vibrating tools and equipment. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, loss of grip strength, and blanching of fingers (vibration white finger). HAVS is irreversible but preventable through exposure limits, tool selection, and health surveillance.

A record of information about the completed structure that will be needed for future maintenance, cleaning, refurbishment, or demolition. The principal designer prepares and updates the file during the project and passes it to the client at completion. It should include as-built drawings, specifications, and information about residual hazards.

Systematic monitoring of employee health to detect early signs of work-related ill health. Required under COSHH and other regulations where workers are exposed to specific hazards. For construction, this commonly includes lung function tests for dust exposure, audiometry for noise, and hand-arm assessments for vibration. Results inform control measure effectiveness.

A system used in risk assessment to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards. Listed in order of effectiveness: Elimination (remove the hazard), Substitution (replace with something less hazardous), Engineering Controls (isolate people from the hazard), Administrative Controls (change the way work is done), and PPE (protect the worker with equipment). The most effective controls are at the top of the hierarchy.

Any work involving open flames, heat, or sparks that could ignite materials. Examples include welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, and torch-applied roofing. Hot work requires a permit-to-work system, fire watch, removal of combustibles, fire extinguishers on standby, and post-work monitoring. It is a leading cause of construction site fires.

A formal document authorizing hot work to take place. Permits ensure precautions are taken before, during, and after hot work. They typically require removing combustibles within 10m, fire extinguisher provision, fire watch during and for 60 minutes after work, and authorization by a responsible person. Permits are usually valid for one shift only.

The UK government agency responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation. The HSE provides guidance, carries out inspections, investigates accidents, and can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecute for serious breaches. They publish extensive guidance for the construction industry including approved codes of practice (ACOPs).

The chartered body for health and safety professionals. IOSH offers professional membership, training courses, and resources. Popular courses include IOSH Working Safely (for all workers) and IOSH Managing Safely (for managers and supervisors). IOSH membership designations include TechIOSH, GradIOSH, CMIOSH, and FIIOSH.

The process of disconnecting equipment from all sources of electrical supply and preventing reconnection while work is carried out. Safe isolation requires switching off, isolating, securing (lock-off), proving dead with a voltage tester, and using safe working practices. Electrical isolation is critical to prevent electrocution - a significant cause of construction fatalities.

Engineering controls that capture airborne contaminants at or near their source before they spread into the workplace. LEV systems include hoods, ducts, air cleaners, and fans. They are essential for controlling dust, fumes, and vapours from processes like grinding, welding, and cutting. LEV systems require regular thorough examination and testing, typically every 14 months.

A documented plan for a lifting operation covering the equipment, method, sequence, and safety measures. All lifting operations must be planned by a competent person. Simple lifts may need basic plans; complex lifts require detailed engineering assessments. Plans should address load weight, crane capacity, ground conditions, exclusion zones, and emergency procedures.

A person responsible for supervising a lifting operation on site. They ensure the lift plan is followed, check equipment and personnel are ready, control the lifting area, and have authority to stop the lift if unsafe. For complex lifts, they work under the direction of the Appointed Person. Must be trained and competent.

Regulations requiring lifting equipment to be strong and stable enough for its intended use, marked with safe working load, and subject to thorough examination. LOLER applies to all lifting operations including cranes, hoists, lifts, and lifting accessories. Equipment must be thoroughly examined at intervals specified in the regulations.

A work-related injury that results in the injured person being unable to work for at least one day after the day of the injury. LTIs are a key safety performance indicator. The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) measures LTIs per million hours worked. Reducing LTIs is a primary goal of safety management.

The transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving. Manual handling injuries are common in construction. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to avoid hazardous manual handling, assess unavoidable handling, reduce risk, and provide information on loads.

A document describing how a work activity will be carried out safely, step by step. It details the sequence of operations, resources required, equipment to be used, and the safety measures in place. Method statements are often referred to as Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) or Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS). They should be specific to the task and site conditions.

Powered equipment providing a working platform that can move vertically and/or horizontally. Types include scissor lifts, boom lifts (cherry pickers), and vehicle-mounted platforms. MEWPs require daily inspections, thorough examinations under LOLER, and trained operators. They are often preferred over scaffolding for short-duration work at height.

Regulations requiring employers to assess risks, make arrangements for managing health and safety, appoint competent persons, set up emergency procedures, provide information and training, and cooperate with other employers sharing a workplace. They also require employers to take account of young workers' inexperience.

An unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so. Near miss reporting is essential for identifying hazards before accidents occur. A strong near miss reporting culture indicates good safety awareness. Near misses should be investigated and lessons shared to prevent future incidents.

An examination board offering globally-recognized health and safety qualifications. Popular qualifications include the NEBOSH General Certificate and NEBOSH Construction Certificate. These are often required for health and safety advisor roles. NEBOSH diplomas provide higher-level qualifications for senior health and safety professionals.

An evaluation of noise levels in the workplace to determine if workers are at risk of hearing damage. Assessments measure daily or weekly personal noise exposure (LEP,d) and peak sound pressure. If exposure exceeds action values (80dB or 85dB), employers must take action including providing hearing protection, establishing hearing protection zones, and arranging health surveillance.

The anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace health hazards. Occupational hygienists assess exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents. They use monitoring equipment to measure contaminant levels, compare to WELs, and recommend controls. Services include air monitoring, noise surveys, vibration assessments, and LEV testing.

Inspection and testing of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use. This includes visual inspection and electrical tests using a PAT tester. While not a legal requirement, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment to be maintained safely. PAT testing provides evidence of maintenance. Construction site equipment faces harsh conditions requiring more frequent testing.

A formal documented system for controlling high-risk work activities. Permits ensure proper authorization, that precautions are in place, and that work is coordinated with other activities. Common permit types include hot work, confined space entry, electrical isolation, and excavation. Permits have defined validity periods and require formal sign-off.

Equipment worn or held to protect against health and safety risks. PPE is the last line of defence in the hierarchy of controls and should only be used when risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Common construction PPE includes hard hats, safety boots, high-visibility clothing, gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection. PPE must be provided free of charge to employees.

Information about the project that the client must provide to designers and contractors so they can carry out their duties. This includes site information, existing structures, hazardous materials, ground conditions, services, and client requirements. The information must be provided in sufficient time and detail to enable safe planning.

Under CDM 2015, the contractor appointed by the client to coordinate health and safety during the construction phase on projects with more than one contractor. Duties include planning, managing, monitoring, and coordinating work; producing the construction phase plan; liaising with the principal designer; and ensuring site rules are followed.

Under CDM 2015, the designer appointed by the client to plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase. They must identify and eliminate hazards through design, provide pre-construction information, prepare the health and safety file, and liaise with the principal contractor.

Regulations requiring work equipment to be suitable for its intended use, maintained in safe condition, inspected where risks from installation or deterioration exist, and used only by trained people. PUWER applies to all work equipment from hand tools to complex machinery. It requires guards, controls, markings, and warnings as appropriate.

A combined document that identifies hazards, assesses risks, and outlines safe working procedures for a specific task or project. RAMS are commonly required by principal contractors before work can commence on construction sites in the UK. The document combines a risk assessment (identifying what could go wrong) with a method statement (how the work will be carried out safely).

The level of risk that remains after all control measures have been implemented. No activity is completely without risk, so residual risk represents the accepted level of remaining danger. Risk assessments should document residual risks and ensure they are tolerable. If residual risk remains too high, additional controls must be considered.

Regulations requiring employers to report certain workplace injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences to the HSE. Reportable injuries include deaths, specified injuries (fractures, amputations, etc.), over-7-day incapacitation injuries, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences. Reports must typically be made within 10 days (immediately for fatalities).

A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the risks they present, and determining appropriate control measures. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. This involves identifying who might be harmed, evaluating the likelihood and severity of harm, and implementing controls to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

An investigation technique to identify the underlying causes of an incident, not just the immediate factors. Root cause analysis goes beyond "human error" to examine systems, procedures, training, and management factors. Methods include the "5 Whys" and Ishikawa (fishbone) diagrams. Findings should lead to systemic improvements.

Equipment designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous substances including dust, fumes, vapours, and gases. Types include disposable masks (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3), half-mask respirators, full-face respirators, and powered air purifying respirators. RPE must be face-fit tested for tight-fitting masks. Selection depends on the hazard and its workplace exposure limit.

A health and safety pre-qualification scheme accrediting contractors and service providers. Assessment covers policies, procedures, training, and compliance. SafeContractor is an SSIP member, so accreditation is recognized by other SSIP members. It provides a searchable database for clients to find accredited contractors.

The engineering calculation and specification of a scaffold structure. Complex scaffolds require design by a competent person considering loads, tie requirements, bracing, and foundation conditions. Designs must comply with BS EN 12811 for service and working scaffolds. TG20 provides standard compliance sheets for common configurations.

A tagging system used to indicate the inspection status of scaffolding. Tags are attached at access points showing the date of last inspection, inspector details, and scaffold status (safe to use, do not use, etc.). Scafftag provides visual confirmation that scaffolds have been inspected and are safe for use. Inspections are required before first use and at 7-day intervals.

Fine dust particles released when cutting, drilling, or grinding materials containing silica such as concrete, brick, and stone. Breathing silica dust can cause silicosis (irreversible lung scarring), COPD, and lung cancer. The WEL is 0.1 mg/m3. Controls include water suppression, on-tool extraction, and RPE. Silica is a major construction health risk.

An introduction given to everyone before they first work on a construction site. Inductions cover site rules, hazards, emergency procedures, welfare facilities, and site-specific information. They ensure workers understand the risks and controls before starting work. Records of induction attendance must be kept. Duration and content vary by site.

A person who attaches and detaches loads from lifting equipment (slinging) and/or directs crane movements using signals (signalling). Slingers select and attach appropriate lifting accessories. Signallers communicate with crane operators using standard hand signals or radio. Both roles require specific training and competence certification.

A five-day training course for site managers and supervisors covering their legal responsibilities for health and safety on construction sites. Topics include CDM 2015, risk assessment, method statements, and managing common hazards. SMSTS certification is often a requirement for site management roles and is valid for five years.

An umbrella organization of health and safety pre-qualification schemes that mutually recognize each other. SSIP members include CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline, and others. Achieving SSIP member certification demonstrates contractors meet a core set of health and safety standards. Buyers accept any SSIP member certification.

A formal procedure resulting from systematic examination of a task to identify all hazards and define safe methods of work. An SSOW integrates people, equipment, materials, and environment to produce safe and efficient operations. It is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide safe systems of work.

A two-day training course for site supervisors covering their health and safety responsibilities. The course covers legal duties, risk assessment, toolbox talks, and managing site hazards. SSSTS is often the minimum requirement for supervisory roles on construction sites. Certification is valid for five years before renewal training is required.

The maximum load that equipment can safely handle. For scaffolding, this refers to the maximum uniformly distributed load the working platform can support. Standard duty scaffolds typically have an SWL of 2.0 kN/m2 (approximately 200kg/m2). Heavy duty scaffolds may be 2.7 kN/m2 or higher. SWL must be clearly marked and never exceeded.

A lifting operation using two or more cranes to lift a single load. Tandem lifts are complex operations requiring detailed planning by an Appointed Person. Considerations include load sharing, communication between crane operators, synchronization of movements, and ground conditions. All participating cranes and crews must follow the agreed lift plan precisely.

Engineering works used to support permanent works during construction. Examples include formwork, falsework, scaffolding, shoring, and cofferdams. Temporary works must be designed, installed, and removed safely. CDM 2015 requires temporary works to be managed, and BS 5975 provides a code of practice. Temporary works failures can cause catastrophic collapses.

The Technical Guidance 20 (TG20:21) is the industry standard for tube and fitting scaffolding design. It provides compliance sheets for common scaffold configurations that comply with European standards without requiring bespoke design calculations. Scaffolders can use TG20 compliance sheets for scaffolds up to certain dimensions and loadings.

A detailed examination of lifting equipment by a competent person to detect defects and assess safety. Required under LOLER before first use, after installation, and at statutory intervals (6 months for equipment lifting people, 12 months for other equipment, or in accordance with an examination scheme). Results must be documented in a report.

A short, focused safety briefing typically lasting 5-15 minutes delivered to workers on site. Topics address specific hazards, recent incidents, or upcoming activities. Toolbox talks keep safety awareness high and address issues relevant to the current work. Attendance should be recorded. They are a legal requirement under CDM 2015.

A documented plan for managing vehicle and pedestrian movements on a construction site. Plans should separate pedestrians from vehicles, establish one-way systems where practical, define delivery points, set speed limits, and specify requirements for banksmen. A good plan reduces the risk of vehicle-related incidents, which are a leading cause of construction fatalities.

Regulations applying to all work at height where there is a risk of falling liable to cause personal injury. They require duty holders to avoid work at height where possible, use work equipment to prevent falls, and minimize consequences if a fall occurs. The regulations establish a hierarchy: avoid, prevent, minimize. Falls from height remain the biggest killer in construction.

Vibration transmitted through the seat or feet of workers who drive vehicles or operate mobile machines over rough surfaces. Long-term exposure can cause back pain and spinal damage. Risk factors include driving duration, posture, road conditions, and vehicle suspension. Controls include maintaining vehicles, improving surfaces, and limiting exposure time.

The maximum concentration of a hazardous substance in the air averaged over a reference period that a worker may be exposed to. WELs are legal limits published in EH40 by the HSE. They are set for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and some have 15-minute short-term exposure limits (STELs). Employers must not exceed WELs.

Facilities required on construction sites for workers' health and wellbeing. Under CDM 2015, these include toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, changing rooms, rest facilities, and means of heating food. Requirements scale with the number of workers. Facilities must be maintained and accessible. Clients must ensure adequate welfare is provided.