Construction worker guide: Top 10 things you should know

What skills are required to work in the construction industry?

Construction work is unique and specific to its industry, however many of the skills required for it are indeed similar to those associated with a wide range of roles and careers. 

With health and safety, efficiency and quality of work of the utmost importance, it is essential for construction workers to have - and to be willing to constantly develop - the skills to:

• Make decisions, adapt and solve problems
• Work as part of a team
• Communicate, listen and learn
• Clearly identify what's wrong and right
• Understand and correctly operate required tools, equipment and technology
• Understand and follow safety rules - such as those outlined by Safety Culture - and environment regulations for construction sites. Be aware of construction workers' responsibilities for health and safety too

Having these skills will allow you, as a construction worker, to do your job to the very best of your abilities whilst ensuring the safety of yourself, other workers and any visitors to your construction site.

Do I need to be physically strong to work in the construction industry? 

While modern tools, machinery and equipment are designed to take as much of the strain as possible, construction work is physically and mentally demanding. The work may involve lifting and using heavy materials and tools, working in difficult weather conditions, such as high or low temperatures, and long days on site. 

Therefore, without sufficient strength and stamina, a construction worker may be more at risk of accident and injury. So it is an expectation for a construction worker's strength and stamina to be high, to ensure they can work effectively, efficiently and, most importantly, safely. 

What tools and PPE do I need and who should provide them? 

Whether it's relatively simple equipment such as a hammer, ladder or saw, or larger machinery and plant, the tools you need for construction work should be suitable for the job at hand and allow you to work effectively and safely at all times. 

In many cases, the employer will provide any tools required, though employees may be allowed to provide and use their own tools and equipment. Either way, as outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety, any tools used must comply with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

Additionally, to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022, it is the duty of every employer in the UK to provide suitable PPE to employees who may be exposed to health and safety risks while at work. In accordance with safety rules in construction sites, it is important that PPE such as hi-vis jackets, goggles and hard hats are readily available and worn, to protect you from potential accidents and injury.

What are the most common risks to construction workers?

Unfortunately, there is a high risk of - sometimes fatal - accidents and injuries on a construction site, due to the many potential dangers and hazards involved with working in such an environment. 

Two of the most common risks to construction workers involve working at height and encountering moving or falling objects as you, and large equipment and machinery, mobilise around the site. 

Accidents involving objects falling and, in particular, falling from a great height - the most common cause of fatal injury to construction workers - can be life changing. If you're involved in such an accident, National Accident Helpline is here to help you as you may be due substantial compensation for your injuries.

What can I do to keep myself safe on a construction site?

As a construction worker, you have responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of yourself, your colleagues and anyone visiting the site you're working on. In addition to awareness of and adhering to any safety training for construction workers provided by your employer, there are a few other things you should do: 

• Always wear required PPE
• Be organised, aware and alert
• Use the correct tools and equipment for the job
• Be clean and tidy, avoiding trip hazards
• Follow instructions, guidelines and safety procedures
• Be aware of safeguards and emergency procedures
• Report potential issues immediately

What are my employers' responsibilities for keeping me safe?

Your employers, their management and leaders will oversee and head-up everything that happens on site. To this end, they have responsibilities for keeping you, your fellow workers and any visitors safe at all times. According to the HSE's Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), contractors and construction site managers have a duty to: 

• make sure workers are aware of their duties under CDM 2015 before any work starts
• plan, manage and monitor all work carried out by themselves and their workers, taking into account the risks to anyone who might be affected by it (including members of the public) and the measures needed to protect them
• check that all workers have the skills, knowledge, construction worker safety training and experience to carry out the work, or are in the process of obtaining them
• make sure that all workers under their control have a suitable, site-specific induction, unless this has already been provided.
• provide appropriate supervision, information and instructions to workers under their control, and ensure that they're aware of the construction site safety rules
• ensure work does not start on site unless reasonable steps have been taken to prevent unauthorised access
• ensure suitable welfare facilities are provided from the start for workers under their control, and maintain them throughout the work

Employers must also provide suitable PPE to employees who may be exposed to health and safety risks while at work, in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022.

What are the construction site signage requirements in the UK?

The construction site signage requirements in the UK follow the HSE's Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, which state that safety signs and signals are “required where, despite putting in place all other relevant measures, a significant risk to the health and safety of employees and others remains.” Additionally, the installation and maintenance of signs conforming to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) are required on site.

Signs required include, but are not limited to:

• Warning signs that are used to identify and inform of potential hazards
• Mandatory signs, such as those that advise of where visitors must report, and where PPE must be worn
• Prohibition signs, including No Entry signs where needed. 

The position of signage will depend on the sign type and its purpose, but all signs should be clearly visible at all times.

What health and safety and environmental training should I receive?

It is the duty of contractors and construction site management to ensure that safety training is provided to their construction workers and that they're aware of the environmental regulations for construction sites. 

While specific requirements will vary from person to person, role to role and site to site, the HSE advise that your employers must ensure that you have received adequate training for the purpose of health and safety. This includes training in the methods which may be adopted when using any tools, machinery and equipment, and risks that may require precautions to be taken, in relation to your specific work and working environment.

What should I do if I have an accident on a construction site?

As with any accident at work, if you have an accident on a construction site you should, first and foremost, take steps to get any care and medical attention you require. Your health and wellbeing is always the main priority. You may need treatment from your GP, A&E or even specialist medical care. With this in mind, it is recommended that you are covered by life insurance for construction workers.

You must make sure your accident is reported to your management, and that your employer records the incident in the company's accident book. If you're a member of a trade union, be sure to tell your rep too, and don't forget to get statements from any witnesses. This will help ensure your accident is recorded correctly, and help you with any further steps you wish to take, such as claiming compensation for your construction site accident. 

If you've any doubts about what to do, talk with your employer about your employment rights after injury.