Construction work can involve many different people, doing many different things at different times. It means everyone has a role to play in managing construction health risks. This page gives an overview of who does what.
Who and what
The law places duties on everyone involved. The nature and extent of your duties differs depending on which of the following roles you fulfil:
- Clients – you must ensure that suitable arrangements are in place for managing health risks during construction.
- Designers – you must identify and eliminate health hazards where possible, and reduce remaining risks..
- Principal Designers – you must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate occupational health risks in the pre-construction phase.
- Principal Contractors – you must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate occupational health risks in the construction phase
- Contractors and Small Builders you must manage any occupational health risks that your workers may be exposed to.
- Workers – you must take care of your own health and co-operate with others on health issues.
Remember – 'Everyone has a role to play'. All those involved in the construction process have a responsibility in managing health risks. Each must take ownership of their part of the process.
Organisations are already taking steps to tackle occupational disease.