Nearly four in five construction professionals have felt unprepared to deal with safety issues due to inadequate training, according to new research commissioned by SafeSite Facilities.
The survey of 500 construction industry professionals found that 79% had experienced situations where they felt ill equipped to manage safety risks. Among fire safety officers, the figure rose to 95%.
One in three respondents, 32%, said they had felt unprepared on multiple occasions. Only 18% reported that they had never felt unready to handle a safety issue on site.
Jack Lowdell, Manager at SafeSite Facilities, described the findings as concerning.
“It’s very concerning that most individuals have felt they were not being trained properly to keep themselves and others safe on site,” he said.
“Safety training cannot be treated like a tick box exercise. Good quality, thorough and up to date training is a non negotiable for all construction industry professionals.
“It’s also important for construction firms to carefully consider their site safety strategy and harness the powers of CCTV and AI to prevent accidents. Cameras can easily be equipped with loudspeakers to warn employees who are at risk.”
The research suggests emergency preparedness has slipped down the agenda in parts of the sector. Before the pandemic, regular drills and business continuity testing were more widely embedded across construction operations.
Today, teams may face a range of scenarios, from site evacuations and bomb threats to medical emergencies. Respondents highlighted the added pressure of managing such risks within an ageing workforce.
Dr Lowellyne James, HSEQ Manager at SafeSite Facilities, said changing working patterns have played a role.
“With the rise of hybrid working and fragmented site attendance, many companies have allowed these critical safety protocols to slip off the agenda,” she said.
“And with an ageing workforce, where the average working age for construction workers is now middle aged, the risks are even more acute.
“We’ve seen firsthand how preparedness saves lives, which is why we would advise equipping teams with defibrillators and training staff to respond.”
SafeSite Facilities provides site safety and security solutions to construction and event sectors across the UK.
